I’ve owned and operated a local technology business for about 10yrs. I have a couple of MSP business clients on retainer, a single-customer mobile app, and about 10 residential Audio/Video customers. I do not do design work or build websites, including my own. I have one part-time employee with a flexible schedule, a good skillset, and a desire to learn and do more. The few clients I have effectively fell into my lap, and I’ve never lost a customer. My google reviews are all 5-stars but there’s only a handful. I have a professionally built website on Squarespace, killer business cards, professionally designed & printed hand-outs, and logo’d apparel. I do not have a facebook (personal or business). I do not have a physical presence. I operate out of my house with the help of a PO box, e-mail and primarily communicate over text messaging. While I work 20-40hrs/wk on this business; I still have a full-time day-job that I would like to sunset in the next 12 months.For years I focused on obtaining more MSP clients because the monthly guaranteed revenue was attractive, but I was never able to get any traction. A few years ago, an acquaintance of mine pivoted their renovation business into high-end custom homes. They contracted me to do their Technology stuff on the new builds (wiring & installation). I have about 10 houses under my belt now - It’s taken me a few years to nail down suppliers, learn the necessary skills, and become certified with the appropriate market players. I am now as qualified and capable as my largest local competitors who have 15-20 employees. However, my home-building buddy does not have capacity or plans to increase their build profile beyond 2-3 houses/year. Me + employee @ 40hrs/wk could probably handle 10 houses/year. I’ve really been enjoying this segment of business. The margins are very good, the work is physical but enjoyable, and overall it plays to my strengths. I believe most of the time the technology company is chosen by the builder, rather than the homeowner – and while I’ve tried to court a few other high-end builders: it hasn’t been fruitful. They either already “have a guy” they use and prefer, or they don’t respond. Homeowners can override the builder and they usually aren’t opposed if the homeowner brings a technology company to the table rather than using whoever the builder typically sends the job to. There doesn’t appear to be much in terms of competitive bidding going on. If a builder chooses to use you, they likely keep using you until you screw up. The MSP side of things is profitable enough I wouldn’t mind more of those clients if they came knocking. I would love to grow this business to ~5 people giving enough labor overhead to allow for the occasional vacation in the future.I’ve thought strongly about hiring a marketing person of some kind. Unfortunately no one in my friends group has a compatible skillset and I cannot teach my employee what I do not know myself. After years of floundering: I’ve come to the conclusion that it just isn’t something in my wheelhouse. I don’t know what kind of marketing/sales would be most effective and most of the help online pertains to ecommerce and online marketing rather than local. I feel a typical run of the mill “sales guy” won’t have the technical knowledge to sell my products/services. I will say this in my defense however: Once I’m in the room with decision-makers, I can speak intelligently about my offerings, market differentiators, and value. None of my competitors seem to do any marketing other than basic SEO & branded vehicles; so everything is on the table from billboards, direct-mail, SEO, giveaway-items, etc. I’ve even considered opening a physical show-room to showcase examples such as a fully-functional theater-room, various automated shades, a tech-conference room, indoor & outdoor audio variety, etc. (something nobody else local has, perhaps for good reason)I have the revenue to support a substantial marketing effort, I just don’t know where to spend it most effectively and get the results I seek. see hubwealthy.com/wealthy
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