Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Shannon.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I first got into technology when I was (roughly) 15 years old and I mistakenly ‘broke’ my father’s computer (obviously an antique by today’s standards). My father relied on this computer solely for business purposes and I had no reason for touching it. I distinctly remember my mother saying “You broke it – you better have it fixed before your father comes home.”
From 3:00 pm onward until my father arrived home from work I was rifling through DOS manuals working to ‘undo’ what I had done. When my father walked through the door I was just putting the dust cover back on top of the monitor. It was as good as new and it was one of the biggest senses of accomplishments in my childhood.
I knew from there on that if I could piece my dad’s computer back together why not work on other people’s machines?
Has it been a smooth road?
Unfortunately it has not been a smooth road the way I had envisioned. Part of it was because I have had to put my business on hold for various reasons and it has lost traction.
I’ve always had a full time job while running my computer consulting business as a part time / off hour’s job. This is not always a bad thing but getting caught up in the daily grind of my full time job has caused me to lose track and perspective.
Most recently I was forced to put my business on hold in 2014 because I faced an extremely serious illness for which I was hospitalized for months on end.
“Knock on Wood” those times are behind me. I am still at a Full Time Job but I’m refusing to lose focus on my consulting business this time.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Watertown Tech Help & Tim Shannon – Computer Consulting story. Tell us more about the business.
My business goal is to be a reliable IT resource for those who are in need of my services.
Most large companies have either their own internal IT departments or consultants or they outsource it to one of my ‘competitors.’ I use quotes here because I’m really not in the same game they are in.
My ideal residential client would be an individual who comes home at the end of the day and just needs her home systems to work. By home systems I’m talking only in part about the computer. Just as important as the PC working is the home network. Having a toddler I know first-hand how important it is for the Apple TV or iPad to work.
My ideal business customer would be someone who is working on their own selling insurance (as an example). Many of these hard working individuals have to spend serious money on their own equipment just to get up and going. Time is always money and I would either have what it takes to fix their issues or to point them in the right direction.
The above being said about both home and business customers please understand that computers come with warranties for a reason. If you are using a laptop for business there is no reason to have a business machine without a 3 year warranty attached to it.
Finally – a few services I do not perform include cracked screens, broken power ports, or water damage. These are almost always related to laptops.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Over the next 5 years I’d like to see my business as being one that will have enough of a market share that I will be able to do enough business to feed my family, buy a house, and possibly employ a few junior level consultants that are eager to learn the business.
Over the next 10 years I am hoping I can do enough business and raise enough of a customer base to help put my son through college. Obviously I’d like to see my son possibly have a business opportunity in the somewhat distant future, but it may be a bit too early to begin thinking about that 🙂
Pricing:
- Remote Support – $65/hr*
- On-Site Support – $75 – $100 / hr*
Contact Info:
- Address: 15 Main Street #158
- Website: www.watertowntechhelp.com
- Phone: 6176008339
- Email: tshannon@tps-independent.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watertowntechhelp
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/watertown-tech-help-watertown
Caucasian middle-aged businessman at desk in office with a tangle of computer cables.
Creative computer PC help, support and assistance, internet web mobility and business communication concept: macro view of red lifesaver inflatable ring belt or buoy on laptop or office notebook keyboard
Image Credit:
Adobe Stock Images
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