Humble Beginnings
It kind of started by accident.
My son got a virus, so I called Best Buy. It was a simple decision. I wasn't going to spend $135 to get rid of a virus and another $70 on software, just to end up getting another virus.
I always liked having my computer run as well as possible, but I didn't really know much more than the average user in the beginning. So I went online and spent the next 10 days surfing through technology forums looking for answers.
I found the answers and got rid of his virus.
Over those ten days, I also found valuable simple ways to have the computer run at peak performance. Not only was his virus gone, but his computer was running better than before the virus.
Cleaning tools and settings suggestions I found online were widely available and easy to use, so I used them on my computer, as well...and then my wife's...and then my co-workers and friends.
At the time, I had a small office in a professional building, where I worked by appointment with clients. I was an insurance agent. Everything was neat and tidy.
Then I'd help someone someone with their virus thinking I solved their problem, and I'd never see them again. But, it was pretty common that they'd come back the following week with everything they no longer used asking if I want it. So I started repairing some items, and sold them, too.
Those two small rooms went from clean sparsely appointed agent desks to stuff piled everywhere. My landlord was even kind enough to let me store more stuff in an empty space next to mine. And I had yet even more stuff at my house.
And then I thought "Why not put an ad on craigslist?" and give other folks a break from outrageous virus removal charges. I must not be the only one that doesn't want to spend that kind of money. And maybe I'd find some people who need help with their insurance, also.
The calls started coming, and kept coming. And when the computer calls overtook the insurance calls, I realized there must be a lot of folks who really need my computer help, ...and I jumped in.
These pictures are a portion of what I ended up having to juggle before I moved into a proper space.