Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

[buzz]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I went out on my own after 25+ yrs working for different dealers. Last company I worked for went out of business and that's when I decided to give it a shot. Picked up around 40 of the accounts that were left hanging by this company going out of business. Wasn't that hard because the customers already knew me from servicing their machines over the years. Been almost 20 years with my own business and it was best move I ever did!

Best of luck

copyman,
25+ years and then an opportunity opened up, do you think you would've gone on your own if that company did not go out of biz? It was super scary for me to start on my own. So many factors to think about starting.

My top five apprehensions were:
5. Fear of current employer pursuing non-compete terms
4. What if it doesn't work and I lose money
3. How will I get support on products
2. What manufacturer will want to work with me
1. I'm a tech, I don't sell (i don't want to sell, i don't care to sell)

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I went out on my own many years ago after being a tech for some years. But I also came from a sales background. Being a tech isn't necessarily a road map to success for owning a copier business, in my humble opinion. While having a tech background has it's advantages, sales is paramount for growing the business.

I work on my sales skills the same why I approach being a copier tech. I try to read one sales book a month....usually audio books. I record myself on video as I practice my sales pitch. I'm always trying to get better. Successful sales people aren't born...they are created thru hard work.



Edit: If I could recommend one sales book to purchase for a tech that has no or very little sales experience, this would be the one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01617VD3I/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

[finlay31]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I started my business in 2014 and today i am very happy with my decision .It's way better than working for someone else.

[buzz]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

.....Successful sales people aren't born...they are created thru hard work.......

Yes. I agree. Do you have a system? Cold calling? Knock on doors?

We've been mostly word of mouth and referrals. But definitely need something else.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

Yes. I agree. Do you have a system? Cold calling? Knock on doors?

We've been mostly word of mouth and referrals. But definitely need something else.

The most effective way to generate new sales is via the telephone. But when I cold call by phone, I don't try to sell anything. I only try to set an appointment with the decision maker. The problem with knocking on doors is that most decision makers doesn't have time to meet with you at that very moment or they speak with you while they're rushing you out the door.

I highly recommend the book that I posted. Get the audio book.

[buzz]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I started my business in 2014 and today i am very happy with my decision .It's way better than working for someone else.

7 years that's awesome. I'm interested to know why it's way better than working for someone else. For me, if I was to list it:

Make my own decisions -control
Opportunty to Increase in Income
Freedom...

[buzz]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

The most effective way to generate new sales is via the telephone. But when I cold call by phone, I don't try to sell anything. I only try to set an appointment with the decision maker. The problem with knocking on doors is that most decision makers doesn't have time to meet with you at that very moment or they speak with you while they're rushing you out the door.

I highly recommend the book that I posted. Get the audio book.

Downloaded the kindle ebook version from my local library app, thanks! Will also listen to the audio. Lord knows I needs this.

[lenovos]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

From analog to digital 30 years plus. Starting selling off lease liquid savins and lived to talk it!

[SalesServiceGuy]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I do not own a copier business but I work with lots of dealer owners who were service techs originally.

The main thing to remember is that there is no pot of gold waiting for you when you decide to retire. At best you will sell your business to someone for far less than you think it is worth. Therefore, you need to plan for your retirement and put a little away each month.

If you are starting out as a "one man band", life will throw you curve balls like injuries, sickness and family events. You need to partner with somebody else that you can rely upon and share support services when one of you is not available.

Your drivers license is your business so do not drink and drive ever.

Get good at performing remote service via TeamViewer and Windows 10 Quick Assist. It will save you time and maney and improve customer satisfaction.

Get good at automatically collecting meter via email, etc.

Do not be afraid to outsource tasks that you are not good at like bookkeeping, payroll or taxes.

One other big danger is trying to move copiers by yourself so as to save some $ and risking personal injury.

You need an economic to operate delivery vehicle with a very low tailgate. No fancy cars or pickup trucks as a business vehicle.

Also, to keep costs down, consider working out of a heated storage locker where the operator can receive goods for you.

Good personal computer skills in both Windows and Mac are mandatory and forget about your job being 9 to 5.

Beware of customers who think they can force "the little guy" to get what they want at low cost.

Be careful of cash flow as this will put you out of business quicker than anything else. A payment today with a 3% merchant fee on a credit card is better than waiting months for a cheque to arrive.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I do not own a copier business but I work with lots of dealer owners who were service techs originally.

The main thing to remember is that there is no pot of gold waiting for you when you decide to retire. At best you will sell your business to someone for far less than you think it is worth. Therefore, you need to plan for your retirement and put a little away each month.

If you are starting out as a "one man band", life will throw you curve balls like injuries, sickness and family events. You need to partner with somebody else that you can rely upon and share support services when one of you is not available.

One other big danger is trying to move copiers by yourself so as to save some $ and risking personal injury.

You need a proper delivery vehicle with a very low tailgate like a Dodge Caravan.

Also, to keep costs down, consider working out of a heated storage locker where the operator can receive goods for you.

Good personal computer skills in both Windows and Mac are mandatory and forget about your job being 9 to 5.

I take exception with a lot of this. Starting with: "there is no pot of gold waiting for you when you decide to retire".


That all depends, doesn't it? Is there a pot of gold waiting on a copier tech if he retires? It's all relative, isn't it? Anyway, you're throwing out bold "one size fits all statements." I also sold my first copier business for a lot of money back in the day. I wasn't even thinking about selling it but another company offered more money than I could pass up.


Next statement: "You need a proper delivery vehicle with a very low tailgate like a Dodge Caravan."

Not necessarily bad advice if that's all you can afford, but I prefer a big box trunk with a tommy lift preferably. If not a tommy lift, a ramp will work. I found one for 5k here locally.


Also, to keep costs down, consider working out of a heated storage locker where the operator can receive goods for you.


I would highly advise against that. No one wants to do business with someone who's doing business out of a storage locker. I'm not even sure it's legal to run a business out of one. Good luck getting a permit.


I could go on but that's enough for now.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

By the way, here's the box trunk I bought. I think it has about 60k miles on it. It was used by a catering company. It wasn't that expensive. Now, getting the graphics put around the trunk ran into some money. It all depends on how you want to be viewed by a customer or potential customer.



box trunk 2.jpg

[40yearsplus]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

Yes 15 years and in that time managed a Republicans win for Congress and all Copying and Printing throughout the campaign and after elected handled supplying advance placement of VP and Presidents visits to the area. Then got divorced and lost interest and worked for others. It can be a basically service oriented business with little investment at first, and finding customers when you can charge less was not hard and then growing from there.

[adecanmin]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I take exception with a lot of this. Starting with: "there is no pot of gold waiting for you when you decide to retire".


That all depends, doesn't it? Is there a pot of gold waiting on a copier tech if he retires? It's all relative, isn't it? Anyway, you're throwing out bold "one size fits all statements." I also sold my first copier business for a lot of money back in the day. I wasn't even thinking about selling it but another company offered more money than I could pass up.


Next statement: "You need a proper delivery vehicle with a very low tailgate like a Dodge Caravan."

Not necessarily bad advice if that's all you can afford, but I prefer a big box trunk with a tommy lift preferably. If not a tommy lift, a ramp will work. I found one for 5k here locally.


Also, to keep costs down, consider working out of a heated storage locker where the operator can receive goods for you.


I would highly advise against that. No one wants to do business with someone who's doing business out of a storage locker. I'm not even sure it's legal to run a business out of one. Good luck getting a permit.


I could go on but that's enough for now.

I work out of my home. I drive a car when doing service calls and pull a trailer for copier deliveries. If you're not in good health it will be tough to run a small business. An independent business is not worth much these days but if you're authorized the big dealers will probably want to buy you out. I much prefer to work for myself. It has it's ups and downs but overall it is very satisfying. With technology slowing down paper usage it will probably eventually turn into a hobby instead of a business. But who can predict the future.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I work out of my home. I drive a car when doing service calls and pull a trailer for copier deliveries. If you're not in good health it will be tough to run a small business. An independent business is not worth much these days but if you're authorized the big dealers will probably want to buy you out. I much prefer to work for myself. It has it's ups and downs but overall it is very satisfying. With technology slowing down paper usage it will probably eventually turn into a hobby instead of a business. But who can predict the future.

I hear you. There's more than one way to grow a business and I started my first business with very little money. I would put every penny made back into the business. My dad told me from the start that "perception is reality in business." What he meant is that if you look successful that people with believe that you are successful.


Has anyone seen the movie "Catch Me If You Can"? Based on a true story and it goes to show that people believe what you tell them to believe about you. All they know is what they see. If you pull up to deliver a demo copier in a less than ideal vehicle, it most often times will hurt you. If you dress the wrong way, it will hurt you most times. The way you speak. It all matters in my experience.

[adecanmin]

Re: Are you a copier tech who started his or her own business?

I hear you. There's more than one way to grow a business and I started my first business with very little money. I would put every penny made back into the business. My dad told me from the start that "perception is reality in business." What he meant is that if you look successful that people with believe that you are successful.


Has anyone seen the movie "Catch Me If You Can"? Based on a true story and it goes to show that people believe what you tell them to believe about you. All they know is what they see. If you pull up to deliver a demo copier in a less than ideal vehicle, it most often times will hurt you. If you dress the wrong way, it will hurt you most times. The way you speak. It all matters in my experience.

My car is in rough shape. My trailer is in rough shape. I dress well no Polo shirts, not to impress but to look professional and as a sign of respect when I'm in someone's office. Frankly I don't give a dam about the rest. For me it's about the end result. I'll sell them a good machine for a good price and I keep it running. I had one former customer who was flashy. Drove an S class Mercedes. I sold him 5 copiers. I was the best decision he made as far as saving his company money. He talked a good line on how he was going to expand the company. He opened an office in a different state and wanted to fly me there to do a service call on a machine I did not sell him . I politely declined. He eventually got the boot for wasting the companies money. I still work on those copiers minus him and his cronies.