In 2007, I founded my business to provide superior service compared to my former employers, who lacked in customer service and technical support. By simplifying complex concepts and emphasizing security through regular Windows updates, I aimed to bridge the gap for clients.
My vision was to establish a robust infrastructure with multiple servers for efficiently distributing updates via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). My mission was to enhance customer network security by ensuring timely and relevant Microsoft updates, safeguarding their business operations.
Finding and retaining skilled IT professionals was a significant challenge due to the industry’s high demand, which resulted in project delays, increased costs, and occasionally impacted service quality. To address this, I concentrated on building a strong employer brand by offering competitive salaries, opportunities for professional development, and fostering a positive work culture.
Managing client expectations was also challenging, particularly around project timelines, costs, and deliverables. Misaligned expectations often led to dissatisfaction and strained relationships. I overcame this by emphasizing clear communication – setting realistic expectations from the outset, providing regular updates, and involving clients in the development process.
In the highly competitive IT industry, where new startups and established companies constantly vie for market share, I focused on differentiating my company by offering unique solutions. I prioritized building strong client relationships and consistently delivering high-quality, innovative products and services.
In the startup phase, my vision was to revolutionize the IT industry with innovative technology solutions, and my mission was to provide high-quality, cost-effective IT services to businesses to help them achieve their technological goals. As I entered the growth phase, my vision evolved to becoming a leading provider of scalable IT solutions that enable businesses to thrive in a digital world.
My mission expanded to include a comprehensive range of services, such as cloud computing and cybersecurity, tailored to the needs of growing businesses. Today, my mission is to be recognized as a leading authority in the IT industry by setting standards for innovation, quality, and service. We focus on continuously sharing our expertise to benefit not only our clients but also the broader community.
I launched my business from my parents’ basement, starting with a used server that I meticulously upgraded to handle WSUS operations. To ensure reliable service, I increased our internet bandwidth and established a site-to-site VPN to connect with potential clients.
My perseverance paid off when I secured my first customer, a nursery school in Elyria, OH, and began successfully deploying security updates. However, bandwidth issues initially slowed the process, which I resolved by investing in a firewall, significantly improving update speed and reliability. This early success led to securing a second customer—a larger organization with over 250 devices across four sites – requiring both update services and comprehensive support. This challenge allowed me to showcase my expertise, particularly in SonicWall firewalls, Cisco routers, HP switches, with Dell and HP servers. Confident in the reliability of these products and my ability to support them, I focused my offerings on these areas, providing remote and onsite support, WSUS updates, and hardware and software maintenance.
These early achievements, rooted in overcoming technical challenges and delivering exceptional service, established a strong foundation for my business and set the stage for its long-term growth and success.
