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Podcast: Phases of a Computer Business and the Danger of Expanding Too Quickly with Lisa Hendrickson
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I got a chance to interview Lisa Hendrickson from “Call That Girl”. I find Lisas story incredibly interesting because she has been through most phases a computer repair business can go through. She started out working for someone else and doing computer repair on the side before eventually making the jump to full time.
She gained some very large contracts and rapidly expanded to the point of owning 3 bricks-and-mortar stores with employees, then eventually losing those large contracts a few years later and having to close all of the stores. And finally, reinventing her business in remote support. This is her story and I am sure you will find it as fascinating as I did.
What We Covered During the Interview
- Early lessons learned in regards to billing, as well as how Lisa prevents non-payment today
- How she got her first few clients with social media
- Signs of success isn’t always what it appears to be
- The growth of her business into 3 stores, the issues of running 3 stores and the later closure of the stores
- Setting up systems and processes for growth
- Work/Life balance
Show Notes
Note:I apologize for the volume levels, my settings weren’t optimal at the time of recording but should be better next time.
Time Summary
0:01 – About Lisa Hendrickson
1:20 – Lisa’s new focus
2:26 – How Lisa started a new computer business
3:30 – First computer business marketing efforts
4:15 – Call That Girl stopped for awhile
4:35 – Lisa went full time
7:03 – Lisa launched her computer business through social media
9:52 – Started out Lisa’s brick and mortar stores
11:08 – Having contractors and interns in the computer repair business
14:22 – Lisa and her hired contractors
18:00 – Lisa giving up her store to one of her contractors
18:55 – Computer business downtime
20:00 – Closed down the brick and mortar stores
21:30 – Lessons learned after closing the stores
22:15 – The ease of remote support
23:18 – Running a remote support business
26:45 – How Lisa is accepting new clients in her Remote Support business
28:26 – Billable hours in Remote Support
31:06 – Typical day of Lisa
33:20 – Lisa’s standard quote
35:25 – Moving customers to a solution
36:25 – Launched Outlook Extended Service
37:55 – Lisa’s advice to her past self
41:32 – Key to happiness
42:38 – Outsourcing extra stuff is worth it
44:09 – Problems with outsourcing
46:41 – Needing something fresh
49:55 – New format of blogging and video
50:46 – Working by yourself
51:20 – Being alone all day long
52:12 – Never stop learning
55:50 – Doing counseling and consulting with other techs
56:20 – Where to contact Lisa
56:47 – Remote Support Book and The eBook Set
Download Podcast Transcript
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Bryce,
Thanks for the interview with Lisa Hendrickson that helped me out quite a bit what I should and shouldn’t do based on her experience. I really believe what the two of you said is “you must love what you do”. That is like the old saying “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I am a firm believer in that.
Also, I was curious Lisa kept mentioning about exchange…now is she talking about migrating someone at a company or was she talking about migrating someone to a public exchange? I was hoping you could elaborate on that to help me understand thanks.
Can I apply Computer Technician? I am here in Saudi Arabia working as Computer Technician. Can repair both hardware and software. I will email you my Resume. Please reply. Hoping for sponsorship.
Sandy Orencia
Mobile # +966559681107
Hi Jeff, to answer your question…I migrate people’s email who are on pop/Imap to Microsoft Exchange so they can enjoy the wonderful world of everything synchronizing. I do small businesses as small as 1 person or up to 12. Exchange is one of the product of the Office 365 business packages, Microsoft does not sell it as Exchange but rather “Business Class Email”. If you can learn how to do migrations, you will be sitting pretty good.
I’ve been migrating everyone OFF Exchange – most of the time the added complexity is overkill for them. Taking them back to just basic POP email is often times just what the doctor ordered…
Lisa,
How much do you charge for the extended outlook contract?
Jack.
Hi Bryce. That was a great podcast with Lisa. I really clicked alot with what she had to say about running her business and not expanding too quickly. I also understood the alone time that alot of IT techs and other business owners face whilst running from a home office. I really look forward to hearing any future podcasts from lisa and others. Cheers