business plan

[lemon]

ok. heres the deal. well, its a no deal for now, but anyways.

i want to open up a business, pertaining to computers, generally hardware and software upgrades, as well as custom computer systems building, and sales.

and all that stuff.

so i did some research online about it. and i came to a site with an excerpt of a book, entitled "how to start your own computer business". so i read the excerpts, and it said to start ( basically ) in your garage. and do service instead of sales, so that you can build up your name and all.

so i got to talking to my mom about it, since i still live with my mom. ( yeah, i do, so get over it i didnt like high school much towards the end, so why would i like college? so i really didnt pursue much options that i had.. i still have some though, so in the future, eh :dunno )

and so as i was saying, i wondered if she would let me "open shop" in the house. in so many words, she didnt come to a conclusion. so its an option. but she said that if i were to do so, - i need a job anyways for cash on hand. so im working that angle first - , i need to come up with a business plan.

so i was like, great! ... woohoo! ... so how do i write one, i ask her. she says she doesnt know ( d'oh! ).. so i decided to ask here. i will also research on this topic online to see what may need to be done. but basically i like examples instead of instructions...

and tips help too :cool

 

[BaggedSplash]

sounds like a great idea. i googled up how to write a business plan for ya and this may help:

http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html

good luck man and i hope that gets ya started

 

[TheOriginalJames]

You're gonna need some cash to start up a business first.

You're gonna have a lot of paperwork and expenses for that paperwork to even get started.

When my dad started his company, OTS he had 20k in the bank (inheritence from his father and HIS company).

I doubt he used all of it, as I don't know the exact details... but to start up a company you're going to need a company name, you're going to want to 'incorporate' it, for service calls you're going to need a company vehicle - not a personal vehicle, registration, etc etc.

Buddy up to a current business owner and ask questions on how they got started, what they did, what they needed, etc.

lemon, my advice is to basically hold off onto this until you DO have some sort of cash in the bank. I know you're not lookin to do this like RIGHT NOW, but you'll need a ton more experience before you can open up your own business.

 

[Sim]

:agree

You definitely need start up capital. And as he said, you're going to want to incorporate your business so that if the business gets sued, you don't lose your personal assets. Not to mention, again as he stated, you'll need separate vehicles. Most insurance companies frown upon using personal vehicles for business use, and won't pay in the event you need them to.

And while you might think you have enough knowledge to just work on computers from home...I wouldn't have you fix mine, simply because I go looking for those with certifications. You might have enough friends to where word of mouth gets around that you fix things for cheaper than anyone else, but that won't do squat if you want to boost it to a higher level.

You have the brains for this, and I wish you luck. I just also hope you find more experience out there before you wind up like a turtle on its back.

 

[Vfast]

ok. heres the deal. well, its a no deal for now, but anyways.

i want to open up a business, pertaining to computers, generally hardware and software upgrades, as well as custom computer systems building, and sales.

and all that stuff.

so i did some research online about it. and i came to a site with an excerpt of a book, entitled "how to start your own computer business". so i read the excerpts, and it said to start ( basically ) in your garage. and do service instead of sales, so that you can build up your name and all.

so i got to talking to my mom about it, since i still live with my mom. ( yeah, i do, so get over it i didnt like high school much towards the end, so why would i like college? so i really didnt pursue much options that i had.. i still have some though, so in the future, eh :dunno )

and so as i was saying, i wondered if she would let me "open shop" in the house. in so many words, she didnt come to a conclusion. so its an option. but she said that if i were to do so, - i need a job anyways for cash on hand. so im working that angle first - , i need to come up with a business plan.

so i was like, great! ... woohoo! ... so how do i write one, i ask her. she says she doesnt know ( d'oh! ).. so i decided to ask here. i will also research on this topic online to see what may need to be done. but basically i like examples instead of instructions...

and tips help too :cool

if you start really small you don't need all that bs above...maybe get a full-time in the field and on weekends repair stuff for poeple..working in the field will gain you contacts which you need in any bus. people will see your work and YOUR FACE and if they like your service then a hint to them that you fix stuff on the side, so you see no paper work, no cash investment, bad side it make take a lil longer but will test you if you really want to do it....or you could buy a franchise..like geeks on call I beieve it's call...they have them here as the drive black and white VW bugs that look like police cars...best buy uses them here

 

[Rusteh]

That's the Geek Squad vfast....it started out as a small "dorm" business where the guy had him and a couple buddies out of the dorms fix computers and it kinda expanded from there....regardless...i agree with vfast....i think the other posts were taking it to a way more corporate or business style approach....first what u need is a client base and an understanding of the market your surrounded in....anybody can open a business, but only customers will allow it to stay open...

 

[Vfast]

yep, your right geek squad

 

[lemon]

Re: RE: business plan

:agree

You definitely need start up capital. And as he said, you're going to want to incorporate your business so that if the business gets sued, you don't lose your personal assets. Not to mention, again as he stated, you'll need separate vehicles. Most insurance companies frown upon using personal vehicles for business use, and won't pay in the event you need them to.

And while you might think you have enough knowledge to just work on computers from home...I wouldn't have you fix mine, simply because I go looking for those with certifications. You might have enough friends to where word of mouth gets around that you fix things for cheaper than anyone else, but that won't do squat if you want to boost it to a higher level.

You have the brains for this, and I wish you luck. I just also hope you find more experience out there before you wind up like a turtle on its back.

i wouldnt fix yours. your in texas wned

*runs to bunker in case sim comes after him*

 

[lemon]

Re: RE: business plan

You're gonna need some cash to start up a business first.

You're gonna have a lot of paperwork and expenses for that paperwork to even get started.

When my dad started his company, OTS he had 20k in the bank (inheritence from his father and HIS company).

I doubt he used all of it, as I don't know the exact details... but to start up a company you're going to need a company name, you're going to want to 'incorporate' it, for service calls you're going to need a company vehicle - not a personal vehicle, registration, etc etc.

Buddy up to a current business owner and ask questions on how they got started, what they did, what they needed, etc.

lemon, my advice is to basically hold off onto this until you DO have some sort of cash in the bank. I know you're not lookin to do this like RIGHT NOW, but you'll need a ton more experience before you can open up your own business.

i do plan on waiting until i have the certifications ( like sim posted ) and the capital to open up my business.

great advice james. ill write some down after i finish replying to everyone in here

 

[lemon]

Re: RE: business plan

sounds like a great idea. i googled up how to write a business plan for ya and this may help:

http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html

good luck man and i hope that gets ya started

fucking a excellent! heres to ya: :booze

 

[lemon]

ok. heres the deal. well, its a no deal for now, but anyways.

i want to open up a business, pertaining to computers, generally hardware and software upgrades, as well as custom computer systems building, and sales.

and all that stuff.

so i did some research online about it. and i came to a site with an excerpt of a book, entitled "how to start your own computer business". so i read the excerpts, and it said to start ( basically ) in your garage. and do service instead of sales, so that you can build up your name and all.

so i got to talking to my mom about it, since i still live with my mom. ( yeah, i do, so get over it i didnt like high school much towards the end, so why would i like college? so i really didnt pursue much options that i had.. i still have some though, so in the future, eh :dunno )

and so as i was saying, i wondered if she would let me "open shop" in the house. in so many words, she didnt come to a conclusion. so its an option. but she said that if i were to do so, - i need a job anyways for cash on hand. so im working that angle first - , i need to come up with a business plan.

so i was like, great! ... woohoo! ... so how do i write one, i ask her. she says she doesnt know ( d'oh! ).. so i decided to ask here. i will also research on this topic online to see what may need to be done. but basically i like examples instead of instructions...

and tips help too :cool

if you start really small you don't need all that bs above...maybe get a full-time in the field and on weekends repair stuff for poeple..working in the field will gain you contacts which you need in any bus. people will see your work and YOUR FACE and if they like your service then a hint to them that you fix stuff on the side, so you see no paper work, no cash investment, bad side it make take a lil longer but will test you if you really want to do it....or you could buy a franchise..like geeks on call I beieve it's call...they have them here as the drive black and white VW bugs that look like police cars...best buy uses them here

wouldnt that be a conflict of interest? ( in the business sense... )

 

[lemon]

Re: RE: business plan

That's the Geek Squad vfast....it started out as a small "dorm" business where the guy had him and a couple buddies out of the dorms fix computers and it kinda expanded from there....regardless...i agree with vfast....i think the other posts were taking it to a way more corporate or business style approach....first what u need is a client base and an understanding of the market your surrounded in....anybody can open a business, but only customers will allow it to stay open...

as per what the sba link pm provided, i do need a client base. but i plan to have that spread as word of mouth. its the best advertising. and it has started a bit

 

[Vfast]

ok. heres the deal. well, its a no deal for now, but anyways.

i want to open up a business, pertaining to computers, generally hardware and software upgrades, as well as custom computer systems building, and sales.

and all that stuff.

so i did some research online about it. and i came to a site with an excerpt of a book, entitled "how to start your own computer business". so i read the excerpts, and it said to start ( basically ) in your garage. and do service instead of sales, so that you can build up your name and all.

so i got to talking to my mom about it, since i still live with my mom. ( yeah, i do, so get over it i didnt like high school much towards the end, so why would i like college? so i really didnt pursue much options that i had.. i still have some though, so in the future, eh :dunno )

and so as i was saying, i wondered if she would let me "open shop" in the house. in so many words, she didnt come to a conclusion. so its an option. but she said that if i were to do so, - i need a job anyways for cash on hand. so im working that angle first - , i need to come up with a business plan.

so i was like, great! ... woohoo! ... so how do i write one, i ask her. she says she doesnt know ( d'oh! ).. so i decided to ask here. i will also research on this topic online to see what may need to be done. but basically i like examples instead of instructions...

and tips help too :cool

if you start really small you don't need all that bs above...maybe get a full-time in the field and on weekends repair stuff for poeple..working in the field will gain you contacts which you need in any bus. people will see your work and YOUR FACE and if they like your service then a hint to them that you fix stuff on the side, so you see no paper work, no cash investment, bad side it make take a lil longer but will test you if you really want to do it....or you could buy a franchise..like geeks on call I beieve it's call...they have them here as the drive black and white VW bugs that look like police cars...best buy uses them here

wouldnt that be a conflict of interest? ( in the business sense... )

no,unless you advertise on the clock...this is how 1000's start... alot of people fail because they don't plan and because of money....this way you earn a check in a field you like while gaining exper. and contacts....almost a win-win deal.....not many have a hand ful of cash to do a start up and face it if your not a manority your not getting cheap loans.... it may take you awhile to even have the cash to have all the tools you need

 

[lemon]

well, ill be asking about it around others as well, and maybe will get confirmations of what yall said in here, and all that stuff.

if any other tips arise, im grateful for em, if yas post em.

 

[Sim]

Re: RE: business plan

You brat, I was using that as an example! lmao

I probably would make your life a living hell if you were closer... Oh, and you remember that night we were chatting, and I was telling you that I had a friend who lived a little ways away from you? He has a computer repair business that he bought into with his boss...he'd be an excellent person to talk to about any of this. Plus, once they expand a little more, they might even need you there.

i wouldnt fix yours. your in texas wned

*runs to bunker in case sim comes after him*

 

[TheOriginalJames]

Well, if I were you lemon... I'd try and get a job there. If you tell them that you wanna start your own repair business their lips will be sealed as to not give out any information to a future competitor.

 

[lemon]

Re: RE: business plan

You brat, I was using that as an example! lmao

I probably would make your life a living hell if you were closer... Oh, and you remember that night we were chatting, and I was telling you that I had a friend who lived a little ways away from you? He has a computer repair business that he bought into with his boss...he'd be an excellent person to talk to about any of this. Plus, once they expand a little more, they might even need you there.

i wouldnt fix yours. your in texas wned

*runs to bunker in case sim comes after him*

yeah. thats all that you told me ( what i bolded ) :lol

 

[!]

advice from someone whom already does this kind of stuff.... me

if you are good word of mouth buisness should be no problem, even without certifications it will keep you busy. the biggest problem is cutting your ties with the customer after the repair, install, or upgrade... because everytime they have the slightest issue they will call you for advice. after fixing or building their computer build them a re-image disc or set their o/s up for backups that way once they fuck it up agian you can just tell them to re-image and be done with it. 99% of the time when you go to someones house for a repair you will end up re-imaging their computer due to them running no virus protection and being infected with all sorts of malware. you will also need a good amount of spare hardware for troubleshooting. something else to capitalize on is setting up home networks, most people now have broadband and then get a second computer and want to know how to share the connection and blah blah blah. hope it works out, incorporation is also good advice.

 

[Veronica]

Re: RE: business plan

sounds like a great idea. i googled up how to write a business plan for ya and this may help:

http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html

good luck man and i hope that gets ya started

thats a great place to start.