Starting a PC building company at the age of 13 is no small feat. It requires passion, dedication, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Inspired by a passion for technology, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a willingness to dive into the complexities of both computer hardware and business management, 13-year-old Connor Frothingham started his own custom PC-building business.
Connor Frothingham, the founder of Alpharetta Tech PCs – a Custom PC Builder Company offers his insight on how to get a computer business dream moving toward reality.
Discovering the Passion
My journey began when I received my first computer at a very early age. I was fascinated by how it worked and spent countless hours learning about each component. By the age of 11, I was already upgrading parts and helping friends and family with their computer issues. At the age of 12, I customized my PC and helped several family members and friends to build their PC. This passion for technology and helping others ignited the idea of starting my own custom PC-building company.
Gaining Knowledge
I spent every free moment I had researching. I watched tutorial videos, read technology forums, and followed industry news to stay updated on the latest components and trends. I also took online courses in computer hardware and even business basics to understand what it would take to run my own company.
Overcoming Legal and Financial Hurdles
Being underage, I faced significant legal and financial hurdles. I discussed my business idea with my parents, who were supportive and agreed to help. They became my legal guardians in the business, allowing me to operate under their supervision. We started small, using savings I had from my birthdays and from my part-time job as an IT crew member to buy the initial parts for my first builds.
Facing Challenges Head-On
Balancing school and business was one of my biggest challenges. I had to learn to manage my time efficiently, dedicating weekends and after-school hours to my business. Gaining credibility was another hurdle. Some customers were skeptical about my age. To overcome this, I focused on building a portfolio of my work, collecting positive testimonials from satisfied customers, and offering guarantees on my PC builds.
Growing and Learning
Word of mouth played a significant role in growing my business. Each satisfied customer recommended me to friends and family, slowly expanding my client base. Initially, profits were limited, but I reinvested profits back into the business, allowing me to take on more ambitious projects and even start offering customized options for gaming PCs, workstations, and budget-friendly builds.
Reflections and Future Goals
Starting my own PC builder company at 13 is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences. It taught me not only about computer technology, but also about perseverance, customer service, and business management. My goal is to continue growing my business, staying updated with technological advancements, and possibly mentoring other young entrepreneurs in the future.
At the age of 12, I customized my PC and helped several family members and friends to build their PC.
My goal is to continue growing my business, staying updated with technological advancements, and possibly mentoring other young entrepreneurs in the future.