Business Advice

[BigBeezie]

I am thinking of starting up my own technical support business. I have 10 years of experience in IT and 17 certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, CEH). I also graduate Magna Cum Laude from Incarnate Word in December. I feel that I bring a lot to the table for clients; as I can do networking and PC support.

I currently make a good amount of money, and I'm just wondering what the opportunities are for San Antonio?

Do you think I could make a $150,000 or more for myself?

I'm open to ideas or input here... Thanks

[DannyT]

I was wondering why there isnt more cyber cafes here...I always thought about doing a cyber cafe repair shop but who knows...I still have about ten years before i open up anything...but good luck man...and if you need help on the side help let me know

[dougp]

I am thinking of starting up my own technical support business. I have 10 years of experience in IT and 17 certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, CEH). I also graduate Magna Cum Laude from Incarnate Word in December. I feel that I bring a lot to the table for clients; as I can do networking and PC support.

I currently make a good amount of money, and I'm just wondering what the opportunities are for San Antonio?

Do you think I could make a $150,000 or more for myself?

I'm open to ideas or input here... ThanksYou're going to have to provide a significant difference in service than the contracting companies - either prices or really make sure your people have a good background in PCs and aren't incompetent fools. Personally, if you provide good service from easy to understand people, I think you'd get it no problem.

[SequSpur]

P3 500

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I believe that if you advertise that you graduated Magna Cum Laude that you should have no problem making $150K. People pay big bucks to have a Magna Cum Laude install their network servers.

In fact, in your ad just put Magna Cum Laude and three dollar signs, $$$, at the bottom. :tu

[BigBeezie]

I believe that if you advertise that you graduated Magna Cum Laude that you should have no problem making $150K. People pay big bucks to have a Magna Cum Laude install their network servers.

In fact, in your ad just put Magna Cum Laude and three dollar signs, $$$, at the bottom. :tu

And you can just continue to say "would you like fries with that?" :lol

[BacktoBasics]

be ready to deal with how fucking stupid and ridiculous the general public is.

[Soul_Patch]

I personally think that market is saturated.

You really have to find a niche to make money in the IT field.

[BigBeezie]

I personally think that market is saturated.

You really have to find a niche to make money in the IT field.

I was thinking I could stress the security of the information the clients handle. I am trained on dealing with HIPAA information, so I could market to doctor's offices.

B.

[tsb2000]

I was thinking I could stress the security of the information the clients handle. I am trained on dealing with HIPAA information, so I could market to doctor's offices.

B.

If you specialize in HIPAA, then you should have no problem getting contracts with all kinds of healthcare facilities for all of their IT maintenance. You don't want to go for the "one shot Johnny" kind of repair, but regular contracted service to guarantee yourself revenue regardless of the level of business.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

And you can just continue to say "would you like fries with that?" :lol

Using the internet at the drive-thru window takes skillz. Someone just pulled up......

[Holt's Cat]

I am thinking of starting up my own technical support business. I have 10 years of experience in IT and 17 certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, CEH). I also graduate Magna Cum Laude from Incarnate Word in December. I feel that I bring a lot to the table for clients; as I can do networking and PC support.

I currently make a good amount of money, and I'm just wondering what the opportunities are for San Antonio?

Do you think I could make a $150,000 or more for myself?

I'm open to ideas or input here... Thanks


First off you need to know if you think you can make that much, or more.

After that, it would really do you some good to put together a business plan of some sort, one that identifies your target market, the services you aim to provide, as well as the costs you will incur, the funds needed, and the pricing for your services. It will help to know your competitors' pricing. Will you compete on price, service, or both? How will you acquire clients? Do you have your contacts organized? Depending on your situation, you may want to start moonlighting first before you dive headfirst into a consulting business without any clients. Find a template for a business plan and fill as much as you can out. It would do you some good to put your plan into writing and flesh out the detail. If you are planning on doing this full-time, do you have enough saved up to survive when work dries up for a month or three? Also, keep in mind that your pay arrangement is no longer routine, you get paid when the client so chooses.

I can tell you now that consulting is somewhat challenging, due in no small part to the client relationship. Whereas an employee can sit around and jack off all day as a consultant you cannot do that. As a vendor you will encounter more scrutiny. Availability is a big issue as well. Another is communication and clarity on the task and deadlines.

The last thing I will say is that realize that the buck stops with you in running your own thing. As an employee all you have to worry about are your work and keeping the boss happy. As the boss, in addition to the work, you have to worry about the client relationship, managing your receivables, cash, paying your employees, your legal structure, keeping your employees happy, and so on.

Anyways, best of luck. It's good that you are thinking about striking out on your own.

-HC

[BigBeezie]

If you specialize in HIPAA, then you should have no problem getting contracts with all kinds of healthcare facilities for all of their IT maintenance. You don't want to go for the "one shot Johnny" kind of repair, but regular contracted service to guarantee yourself revenue regardless of the level of business.

I think I could definitely land some steady business. I also have quite a bit more experience than some people that I know who run their own business.

[BigBeezie]

First off you need to know if you think you can make that much, or more.

After that, it would really do you some good to put together a business plan of some sort, one that identifies your target market, the services you aim to provide, as well as the costs you will incur, the funds needed, and the pricing for your services. It will help to know your competitors' pricing. Will you compete on price, service, or both? How will you acquire clients? Do you have your contacts organized? Depending on your situation, you may want to start moonlighting first before you dive headfirst into a consulting business without any clients. Find a template for a business plan and fill as much as you can out. It would do you some good to put your plan into writing and flesh out the detail. If you are planning on doing this full-time, do you have enough saved up to survive when work dries up for a month or three? Also, keep in mind that your pay arrangement is no longer routine, you get paid when the client so chooses.

I can tell you now that consulting is somewhat challenging, due in no small part to the client relationship. Whereas an employee can sit around and jack off all day as a consultant you cannot do that. As a vendor you will encounter more scrutiny. Availability is a big issue as well. Another is communication and clarity on the task and deadlines.

The last thing I will say is that realize that the buck stops with you in running your own thing. As an employee all you have to worry about are your work and keeping the boss happy. As the boss, in addition to the work, you have to worry about the client relationship, managing your receivables, cash, paying your employees, your legal structure, keeping your employees happy, and so on.

Anyways, best of luck. It's good that you are thinking about striking out on your own.

-HC

I am currently working on a project for school that requires me to do a business plan, with all of the components.

It really has me thinking, and I would consider presenting it to a bank when I'm done.

I really want to be on my own, and I don't want investors at this point. Other than a bank of course!

Thanks for your insight!

[bendmz]

Good Luck on your business

but remember ALL those hands that going to get into your pocket once you are up and running ie; state, city, federal, school district, college district, library district and the list goes on....... :reading

[ducks]

if you do it
make sure you have a website and you get it in the search engines right away and make sure you say your techs have all those certs
and when you advertise direct everything to your website

also tell people you 10 years doing it

are you going to work out of your house
if not are going to pay someone to watch the shop when you go out on a shop? or do you have a wife to do that?

[ducks]

I have ran an internet cafe for someone for 8 years
that does computer repair
this place has 10 computers. plus a 400 square room for laptops. The library is free biggest compettion.
decent computers going to cost you $600 each
that would include flatcreens
chairs desk tables for laptops would be around $60-70 each
network printer, scanneer and fax machine $350
network color printer $450
something to make a counter so people could pay you.
we did a medal shelves that was 8 feet high took it apart and put them together put wood on it painted it
set a cash machine on it ($80) and called it good

The business is looking to rent a copy machine that is digital (meaning you could print from the computer to it)
The business was quoted from $50 a month plus .03 for black and white $.30 for color. You supply paper they do everything else
I would recomend that
You could buy a cheap copy machine for $1000 or lease one I would less or skip one. They make no money
if you do food you would have to figure around 5-6 thousand dollars
you need to do something with it to make more money
a bigger ticket item
kiko's national company charges $12 an hour
this place charges $6 an hour.
hard to make good money even if you have several computers at $6 an hour
rent $1-1.50 a foot
we have 900 feet
place roadrunner cable $170
plus electric between 250-400 a month (summers suck)
you need $10,000 in working captial
plus $8 thousand to advertise with(part of that is getting a website up and running)
if you have employers you should have 6 months in wages for th

[ducks]

http://us.comptroub.com/html/home

this website will give you some insight on cost
it is a franchise you can start
sounds like you would not need there tech help though
worth reading!

[Caveman]

I have ran an internet cafe for someone for 8 years
that does computer repair
this place has 10 computers. plus a 400 square room for laptops. The library is free biggest compettion.
decent computers going to cost you $600 each
that would include flatcreens
chairs desk tables for laptops would be around $60-70 each
network printer, scanneer and fax machine $350
network color printer $450
something to make a counter so people could pay you.
we did a medal shelves that was 8 feet high took it apart and put them together put wood on it painted it
set a cash machine on it ($80) and called it good

The business is looking to rent a copy machine that is digital (meaning you could print from the computer to it)
The business was quoted from $50 a month plus .03 for black and white $.30 for color. You supply paper they do everything else
I would recomend that
You could buy a cheap copy machine for $1000 or lease one I would less or skip one. They make no money
if you do food you would have to figure around 5-6 thousand dollars
you need to do something with it to make more money
a bigger ticket item
kiko's national company charges $12 an hour
this place charges $6 an hour.
hard to make good money even if you have several computers at $6 an hour
rent $1-1.50 a foot
we have 900 feet
place roadrunner cable $170
plus electric between 250-400 a month (summers suck)
you need $10,000 in working captial
plus $8 thousand to advertise with(part of that is getting a website up and running)
if you have employers you should have 6 months in wages for th



sounds easy.

[Shelly]

sounds easy.


So easy that a Caveman can understand wtf Ducks is saying???

[ShoogarBear]

sounds easy.http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/scrooge%20mcduck.jpg

[Shelly]

http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/scrooge%20mcduck.jpg

:rollin Classic!

[ducks]

that was good
I do not own this though
another person does
he leaves during the summer
so I know alot of the money part