|
What does your business do?
We provide IT support and management for small to medium businesses. We specialize in medical clinics. We also offer business and consumer computer hardware and software.
When and why did you start the biz?
I started in February or 2009. This is our sixth month in business. I started this business because I was tired of seeing medical practices that were small to medium sized ripped off by other IT management firms just because they knew they had the money because they were in the medical fields. After starting to work with medical clinics I also included regular personal services for the same reason.
How Many People are in your Company?
3
Where's your office?
Right now our main office is in a spare bedroom and our repair area as well as stock area for incoming orders for our clients sits in a sectioned off corner of the garage in the house i rent.
What's the toughest part of running your biz?
The hardest part about running my business is trying to run it and work my regular day job at the same time. I have some many people that want me to do work for them but I can't leave my day job and loose my benefits for my kids while I take the time to get enough other business built up.
What's the most fun part?
The part I love most about my business is getting a customer taken care of. There isn't anything like going to a customers site and they are all upset something went down and they are afraid of how much its going to cost them to fix as well as how long they are going to be down and then we get to come to the rescue and not only get the problem fixed in a time frame they never thought even remotely possible but then they also get a bill for nothing anywhere near as much as they thought it would cost. I've actually had people say this is all it's going to cost me?
Anything you would have done differently?
The biggest thing I can suggest is plan out your startup. Try and set some money aside to enable you to deal with the startup costs you don't expect.
What's next on the horizon for your biz?
The next step for us is hopefully next spring moving into a small office/store front and bring on a few more people so that we can bring on more clients.
What advice do you have for others?
Don't just sit and wish you could start your own business, sit down and plan it out and go for it. I remind myself every day of a saying my old boss had sitting on her desk, "What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?"
How do you use Idea Cafe to help your biz?
I'm here to see what I can pick up from others as far as tips and tricks. I'd like to learn more to make my business more successful, and at the same time keep my self somewhat sane along the way.
School (where, still in school, degree)?
Still in school working on PhD
Prior jobs or business?
United States Air Force
Sprint Service Rep
Whirlpool Corp Specialist
Home Depot Manager
Favorite Food?
Italian
What are your pets' names?
None
Do any of these pets help with your biz?
N/A
Is there any one person or event in your life that led
you to go into business for yourself?
Being a single dad and wanting to be home with my three boys as much as I can but still give them the life I want for them.
Anyone you publicly want to thank?
My dad for pushing me to succeed no matter the tasks that had to be overcome.
Contact Info:
Bob Ernst
8886034080
bob@theitdr.com
Website:
http://www.theitdr.com |
Ask Questions 
Share Tips 
People in Biz - Profiles 
Coffee Talk with Experts 
Biz Planning | Sample Plans 
Idea 
Name 
$ 
Do It! 
Marketing | Sales | Customers
Managing | Operations
Work @ Home 
Yoga @ Your Desk 
Advertising, Marketing & PR
Apparel, Grooming & Beauty
Business Consulting & Coaching
Business Services
Construction & Architecture
Design, Art & Photography
Education, Childcare & Toys
Finance & Accounting
Food & Beverage
