Business on the side?

[mikester]

I'm not terribly entrepreneurial really - in life I have done what I enjoyed that paid my bills and parlayed that into a career that has so far worked out very well.

Some of my hobbies though - I could likely make money on the side on.

My primary skills are IP networks in all shapes and sizes - I work for a vendor on the sales side and I've worked in the industry for many different types of companies and organizations. I have a pretty broad base of experience to draw on.

To my friends, neighbors and family that boils down to 'Mike knows computers, he can fix it' which is usually true. I try very hard to keep this 'ability' on the down low and when someone who isn't 'close' asks me for help I do generally pretend to be unaware of what they need. 'Oh, sorry - I'm more of a hardware guy - you know - chips and soldier and what not.' That usually gets me out of doing anything. I do help out folks I am close to though and I feel like I'm actually pretty good at it. I can fix hardware, I can mostly manage software (Windows can be cranky) and I can work on most brands. I also love setting up awesome home networks but only when the person who wants to do it want so to spend stupid money. They come up too - instead of spending $100 - $200 on a crappy home network I'll go over what they need to make sure they can do just about everything wirelessly that they might ever consider for a $1000 - $2000. The high price keeps folks from asking me to do anything but not always.

So I've had this thought here and there - I haven't mentioned it to the wife yet but I've considered opening up something on the side to meet these needs. The fact is might be a total bust because people come to me so they don't have to SPEND money and I'm a nice guy. But I'm wondering if I could get folks to pay me to do this stuff to fund some of my hobbies and get me back into a car I love to drive...

I think there are a few folks out there who do stuff like this - I'm interested in being shot down and told the reality... I would actually have the wife run the business side probably I'd do the 'dirty' work. It would be ours and it would help with our taxes if we had the business because then she wouldn't have to go out and get occasional part time work to justify the dependent daycare flex spending account we use (which actually will be less of an issue next year since there won't be any more daycare).

I've got guys I could get to do cable work for home wiring so I'm not interested in getting that dirty under houses (already did my time). Still - I know there are a lot of local business I might be able to do some work for as well (less boutique home networking and more standard retail stuff in that case).

It is possible on the business networking side that I actually won't be allowed to do it as it could be a conflict of interest with my company and their partners but the home stuff I'm pretty sure isn't a problem.

Whatcha think? I'm not starting this up any time soon but maybe I shouldn't waste any more time on thinking about it...

[Aragorn]

If you are talking about setting up home networks, anyone else in the market besides the "geeks" would be appreciated. They charge a lot (IMHO) and try to upsale everything. You may want to check on the liability side as to insurance you have to carry and forms that need signed to protect youself. Forming an LLC maybe? You need to do some talking to professionals to see how much you might have to spend upfront just to run the business and if it is worth it for the amount of business you will do. Just a thought.

[LeeH]

I do small business bookkeeping and QuickBooks training. Virtually every client of mine has a "computer guy" who takes care of their PC or network. Rates are usually $60-$120/hour depending on the level of expertise. Network guys get more.

Picture an attorney who charges $375/hour for his time. When his network goes down, he and his staff can't work. Responsiveness is the key. If you're there when they need you, they call you next time. Drop the ball and they drop you.

[mikester]

Originally Posted by LeeH

I do small business bookkeeping and QuickBooks training. Virtually ever client of mine has a "computer guy" who takes care of their PC or network. Rates are usually $60-$120/hour depending on the level of expertise. Network guys get more.

Picture an attorney who charges $375/hour for his time. When his network goes down, he and his staff can't work. Responsiveness is the key. If you're there when they need you, they call you next time. Drop the ball and they drop you.

Exactly what I DON'T want to do. I don't want to be working on folks business - I have already been there and done that and now since I'm a 'vendor' it's even more 'responsibility'.

I'm more interested in supporting folks in their home environment. I know home PCs can be just as important to folks as their businesses but I'd be upfront. I'm not really an emergency service - I work on my schedule. I have a full time job - it isn't going anywhere. This would be strictly side work and I'd expect to turn down stuff if I got busy.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by mikester

I'm more interested in supporting folks in their home environment. I know home PCs can be just as important to folks as their businesses but I'd be upfront. I'm not really an emergency service - I work on my schedule. I have a full time job - it isn't going anywhere. This would be strictly side work and I'd expect to turn down stuff if I got busy.

Here is an excellent link: Starting a PC Repair Business | Entrepreneur.com

The interesting aspect of small business is that combining with other like-minded folks spreads the risk...ask around.

The guy I use for any and all computer/internet/satellite work started as an after hours guy with Hughes and, because he is great, built a referral business.

His only issue is that every computer problem is an emergency on the customers part, especially home users. He joined with a few other folks to spread the work load and risk.

[Laneco]

Mike,

I have a job, and a business on the side. The business on the side has caught up bills and paid for alot of extras in the family as far as the financial side goes. But it does something else for me. It provides an outlet for a skillset that I am very passionate about, but that is not wholly utilized in my job.

As long as you can avoid any conflict of interest with your employer, I would wholly encourage you to do this. Best of luck, Mike!

angela

[ShakinJoe]

I encourage it! Much demand even for small business owners like myself to "get things set up" and it's once every two years I seems.

[VINMAN]

Besides my regular job, I have a home improvement business.
With all the work from Hurricane Sandy, Id probably be able to quit my regular job at this point. The majority of the work out there is major reconstruction jobs. Unfortunately, my time constraints restrict me from taking them.

[recycled sixtie]

It is all about balance. If you are successful then you can end up with too much work.
What about the family? When we call a plumber we have different experiences with different plumbers. Of course we want a plumber now. The plumber that can come over now gets the work over somebody that has an answering machine.

What do you value most? Time off with just a regular job? Regular job plus p/t business and more money? If you have a family discuss this with them.....

[john70t]

1). Think about what you love to spend time on, and make it the priority goal.
Protect your personal self from the idiots, and create a comfortable environment to do your best.

2). Think about the target market who might need your skills, where they are located, and how to reach them the best way.

3). Think about the negatives that might occur: Limits to skills, problems beyond anyone's control, etc, etc, etc...
Have a backup plan or two.

Then go for it.
Life is short. Life is solving problems.

[Hugh R]

I do a little environmental, health and safety consulting on the side, when it comes in. I don't have the time or inclination to go out and hustle for it. My day job keeps me pretty busy.

[look 171]

Mike, A friend of mine does Mac support. It started as a hobby in college taking care of the printing industry and it grew into a monster with an office of ten people in mid Wilshire, and ended up servicing the movie folks. Now he hates it. The bad thing is that folks who can afford to hire out are making a few bucks. many times that means they own a business. YOu will get to support that too. How can you only support their home systems and not their businesses? I almost can't just take care of their fancy homes, but not their cabin up in Big Bear. ONce they find out that you are good and responsible, they will beat down your doors. working on their businesses will come with a different set of stress, but you already knew that. Give it a go, who knows where it will go. It will take time away from you little boy that's for sure. It has in my case due to the running around. IN this town, it takes three times as long to get somewhere.

Jeff

[VincentVega]

Get a few small businesses to put you on retainer. Setup remote access to their gear, maybe sell them a term server/modem or something similar if required. Give them X changes per month and then bill t&m for additional work. From experience the jobs that pay come with baggage, be ready for that. The issue always seems to come up after hours or when I have a day off planned.

I would stay away from home owner stuff. Too many times someones kid or uncle sets something up for free and the user wont value your time. You might find a few good customers but one bad job ruins the deal.

Good luck

[mikester]

Originally Posted by look 171

Mike, A friend of mine does Mac support. It started as a hobby in college taking care of the printing industry and it grew into a monster with an office of ten people in mid Wilshire, and ended up servicing the movie folks. Now he hates it. The bad thing is that folks who can afford to hire out are making a few bucks. many times that means they own a business. YOu will get to support that too. How can you only support their home systems and not their businesses? I almost can't just take care of their fancy homes, but not their cabin up in Big Bear. ONce they find out that you are good and responsible, they will beat down your doors. working on their businesses will come with a different set of stress, but you already knew that. Give it a go, who knows where it will go. It will take time away from you little boy that's for sure. It has in my case due to the running around. IN this town, it takes three times as long to get somewhere.

Jeff

Yeah, I get what you're saying but I'm just no interested in going that far. It would have to be a hard 'no' for that sort of thing. It would be too much work to make this a real business and a full time job and I've known too many guys who have done that to want to dip into it myself. I'm not interested in it and in fact with my day job I consult for companies doing this all day long so it'd likely be viewed as competitive by the company I work for.

The other thing is - I don't really limit myself to just computers. I have repaired just about anything computer-like from toys, game consoles, TVs, Monitors, set-top boxes like Tivos AND computers. I however Hate every even revision of Windows (Vista, 8, etc).

[mikester]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Here is an excellent link: Starting a PC Repair Business | Entrepreneur.com

The interesting aspect of small business is that combining with other like-minded folks spreads the risk...ask around.

The guy I use for any and all computer/internet/satellite work started as an after hours guy with Hughes and, because he is great, built a referral business.

His only issue is that every computer problem is an emergency on the customers part, especially home users. He joined with a few other folks to spread the work load and risk.

Excellent article. Thanks man.

[HardDrive]

I used to slang them IPs, but now I'm slangin' hoes, double Ds replaced my CCNP I suppose.

MCSE was all gold back in the day, but now I'm puttin' girls on the street for my pay.

IP4? That for punks and monks. I'm throwin' IP6, and junk in the trunk.

[mossguy]

I am retired. I make custom grips for 1911's and some other handguns. I take them to the local gun show and sell them for $40.00 a set. I don't make very much money, but I have developed a "following" which is very rewarding. The money that I do make is usually spent at the show for other stuff that I "need". At the moment I'm avoiding crowds, so my son and daughter-in-law take them and show them at their tables.

Here are some examples:

[look 171]

Originally Posted by mikester

Yeah, I get what you're saying but I'm just no interested in going that far. It would have to be a hard 'no' for that sort of thing. It would be too much work to make this a real business and a full time job and I've known too many guys who have done that to want to dip into it myself. I'm not interested in it and in fact with my day job I consult for companies doing this all day long so it'd likely be viewed as competitive by the company I work for.

The other thing is - I don't really limit myself to just computers. I have repaired just about anything computer-like from toys, game consoles, TVs, Monitors, set-top boxes like Tivos AND computers. I however Hate every even revision of Windows (Vista, 8, etc).

My friend hates his job. Wearing too many hats as a business owner leaves no time for anything else. He's always on call and is burned out on the crazy schedule. He builds cabinets for himself at my shop for fun a couple of Mondays nights out of the month to catch his breath. I have been teaching him for the past 6-7 years.

I know you are good, so once you start, be prepare to say no when the good words get around, but it will die right there and then because it does not spread around for growth or more work.

I started off building furniture and cabinets as a side thing going to college when I was 20 and it grew into a monster (all of it by word of mouth) with headaches and sometime big smiles. It was different because I had no wife, kids, and basically nothing back then so I can go at it full on.

How would you market yourself on those thing you want to do ?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Besides my regular job, I have a home improvement business.
With all the work from Hurricane Sandy, Id probably be able to quit my regular job at this point. The majority of the work out there is major reconstruction jobs. Unfortunately, my time constraints restrict me from taking them.

Can you play general contractor and have someone do them while you just manage?

[Rick V]

Having a side biz that is the same as your regular job is not good. I am a mechanic and have basically reached the top of the food chain and I shut down my side biz because that is all my life had become.
I would work for the regular boss then come home and start swinging the side wrenches. Before long I had no time for family, or life in general and no break from work since it was all the same.
Just be very careful with the side stuff, it can overrun you before you know it. There is more to life then making money, especially when you don't have any time to enjoy the fruits of your labors