Featured Business
Business: Michiana Computers
Website: www.michianacomputers.net
Owner: Alexandrer Blake “Owner” - “George Blake “Co-Owner”
Family
My father George helps me run my business at times, and offers me advice when I need it, and sometimes when I don’t!
My father is a writer, published author, stage manager and director. www.GeorgeBlake.com
My sister Amanda is also a published author.
First Job
My first official job was managing the I.T and computer stuff at a family owned pet store, setting up point of sale and surviellence equipment.
I really enjoyed it, but unfortunatly the pet store went out of business after being in my family for over 40 years.
Worst Job
Working for my dad!
Back when I was young, my dad owned a property management company, and he would always make my sister and I help clean the houses when the tenants would trash them.
It was horrible, but as an adult I look back and laugh, and can’t wait to make my kids do the same thing!
Where did you grow up
I was born in Tucson, Arizona. I lived in arizona untill I was about 6 years old, then I moved to Michigan City, Indiana, Then moved to Orem, Utah.
Finally when I was 10 I settled down in Niles, Michigan after my parents divorced and I’ve been here since then.
What did you want to be when you grew up
I always knew I wanted to own a business, something to do with computers.
I remember writing a list of goals when I was 11 years old, and I wrote that I wanted to own a computer store by the time I was 20!
Well it turns out I would own a computer repair business only 4 years after that at 15 years old.
From the age of 10-15 I learned to fix computers from my father and from learning on my own.
How did you end up owning your business
My father helped me start up when I was 15 years old, he got me an office next to his.
He helped me get registered and set up the paperwork for the business, getting my tax I.D and such.
I also became very good friends with a local computer technician in my area, he was in his late 50s and didn’t care if I was going to be his competition, he took me under his wing and taught me so much.
I was his apprentice for 2 years, and It was the best 2 years of my life.
What is the biggest decision you are wrestling with now
Going to college or growing my business, or both.
Managing my time is the hardest thing to do, I want to go to college, but I’m worried I won’t have enough time to help my customers.
I will probably end up going only taking one class per semester for awhile.
What is one thing you would change about your job
Well this is hard, I don’t know if I would change anything, I love what I do.
I love being respected as an expert, and I love helping people.
Thats really why I do what I do, I love to see the smile on my customers faces when I fix a problem for them.
What do you like most about your job now
I love helping people, I love going to one of my clients houses or businesses and helping them with something they couldn’t figure out themselves.
I really like helping local businesses as well. I always look forward to meeting other business owners and talking to them.
What motivates you
Loving what I do is my motivation!
I don’t think I would be doing computer repair if I didn’t love every minute of it.
What do you do for fun
I learn something new, I love learning! My dad homeschooled me, and the most important thing he taught me was that you don’t have to stop learning after you are out of school.
I also enjoy playing computer games.
Every now and then my friends come down to my office after work, bring their own computers, and we hang out while playing left 4 dead! I’m only 20 years old, so it is nice to be a kid once in awhile after work.
I enjoy reading and keep up with computer news or talking with other business owners on www.technibble.com
What do you consider your greatest achievement
My dad and I went to the Arizona desert in winter 2006 and fasted for 40 days from Nov 1st to Dec 10th, nothing but water.
I read 50 books while I was out there and it was a great to have the time to meditate and relax.
It was a great experience and the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
What’s the best career advice anyone has given you
One of my clients told me once to charge more because I was worth it, and I was a business, and I had to pay bills too, he was right!
Owner
Michiana Computer Repair
1105 N. Front Street Niles, Michigan 49120
269.340.0040
source:computerrepairblog.com
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