Leap of Faith...

[NeoMatrix]

Best of luck to you! I took that route a few years ago, and there's plenty of support available here. I've tried to not stretch myself too far and I've stayed with a limited number of manufacturers but I've been able to develop a few good customers. If you haven't already, be sure to set up an LLC, or your local equivalent, which will give you a little more protection and also give you the opportunity to look at dealer/resale rates from a lot of the parts stores. Keep your overhead as low as possible, and try to show your customers the full range of your talents. The main thrust of my business is IT, but the copier/printer service side has been a good way to get a foot into the door and to work relationships with onsite IT admins, and to even be a partial resource for them to rely on.

Re Best Business model. I'm not sure what you mean by LLC?
I've been concern with the best business model and how to start off with the office paperwork.
I'm interest in service contracts and any legal obligations in writing.
What is the best insurance model,an if I should require legal service at this early stage ?.

I have a small customer base that may like my individual services. I was aware that some of them were not happy that I moved to another location as I left them behind with the Joe Average service Techs. I would like to catch up with these customers and make amends.

[DWise]

Re Best Business model. I'm not sure what you mean by LLC?

LLC means Limited Liability Company...

Limited liability company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[NeoMatrix]

As dumb as it sounds I'm having problem coming up with a business/trading name, its require for gov forms etc....

I guess a name like :
G.reat
I.ndividual
R.epair
A.nd
F.ault
F.inding
E.xpertise

I figure I'll be sticking my neck out for a lot of people, so name like Giraffe Business Tech
would be some what fitting for me personally. Only problem with that : there is no Giraffes in Oz...
People might think I'm from Sth Africa or something like that...

[blackcat4866]

..., so name like Giraffe Business Tech
would be some what fitting for me personally. Only problem with that : there is no Giraffes in Oz...
People might think I'm from Sth Africa or something like that...

I like it! And here's a simple very recognizable logo:


Giraffe1.jpg

=^..^=

[NeoMatrix]

Haha..
Re Giraffe Business Name ... I was only kidding BC ...
The thought had cross my mind though....


I believe most of the Techs on CTN would make the Giraffe status....

[KapeKopyTek]

Name? Well, who are you and what will you be doing? Neo Independent Services. N. I. S. If you want to be more specific (or limit yourself, depending on your goals), Neo Independent Imaging Services N.I.I.S. or whatever, you get the drift....... Best of luck!

[mikadonovan]

Best of luck to you, Neo. Now go out and make some serious scratch!

[rthonpm]

There's money to be made, but it will be hard at first: if you can get through the first three years you have a shot at being successful.

[NeoMatrix]

I have genuine concerns about which business model I should adopt first up ie. slow paper base accounting (for security purpose )or electronic internet interface direct with customer. I can do most of the database programming for a full customer interface direct into the business thereby reducing a major accounting burden on my part.

I would like to start with an internet base ticket issuing system whereby the customer enters a web page and logs a service call. They are then issused with an electronic ticket for the callout. This would allow me access to customers directly in the field while on the road. It would remove writing everything down while on a call. I would print out the log ticket an have the customer sign the printout after their job is complete. Ticket system would stop queue jumpers and allow the customer to track their call history. But all internet comes with the computer hacker security risks, which is the down side to the information age.

[blackcat4866]

I have genuine concerns about which business model I should adopt first up ie. slow paper base accounting (for security purpose )or electronic internet interface direct with customer. I can do most of the database programming for a full customer interface direct into the business thereby reducing a major accounting burden on my part.

I would like to start with an internet base ticket issuing system whereby the customer enters a web page and logs a service call. They are then issused with an electronic ticket for the callout. This would allow me access to customers directly in the field while on the road. It would remove writing everything down while on a call. I would print out the log ticket an have the customer sign the printout after their job is complete. Ticket system would stop queue jumpers and allow the customer to track their call history. But all internet comes with the computer hacker security risks, which is the down side to the information age.

I worked for a company that did this, but you're relying on the accuracy and thoroughness of your customers. Approximately 1/3 of our customers placing calls could not or would not enter a valid machine ID, did not know the machine model or serial number. If they could have come up with any two of the three the database would have found them. Even getting a valid phone number was unlikely. =^..^=