For years “Little” Joe Gilbert worked at a local gypsum mine and manufacturing plant while repairing and designing computers for family and friends in his free time. At first his computer tinkering was just a side hobby that he enjoyed doing, but with encouragement and support from his family, Joe decided to take his computer repair business full-time.

Focusing on computer hardware repair and system building made the most sense to Joe because he enjoyed creating systems that met the needs of his customers and made them happy. And happy customers meant continued business. Joe’s biggest challenge in starting his own business was understanding how to manage his business, which was continually changing. In addition, the financial aspects of owning a business concerned him. Luckily, he found Lisa Shimkat of the North Central Iowa Small Business Development Center.

Lisa counseled Joe and provided cash flow management training. She worked to help him understand how the cash flow operated within his business and how a few changes would improve and impact profits and the operational cycle. At first Joe had difficulty finding financing to start his business. With the market changing every six months, it was difficult getting a bank to finance this type of start-up business. At Lisa’s suggestion, Joe gradually increased his inventory through his repair work, which helped him obtain a line of credit necessary for additional inventory purchases. He also implemented a Point of Sale system, which improved his inventory controls and pricing for customer requests.

Following Lisa’s advice, Joe increased his inventory and rotated out old inventory at reduced pricing, while maintaining high quality products and services. His sales have increased by 20% and his customer base has also increased, due especially to his focus on customer service. “I learn so much from the customer,” Joe says. “If a customer has a complaint or tells me a part that I should carry or offer to other customers, I listen. In this business it is hard to gain the trust of your customer. I need to work with them and they help me create new value in this business every day.”

Today, Little Joe’s Computers is doing well. Joe has added a full-time assistant and is hoping to add another part-time person soon. He is involved with his community as well. When the local chamber decided not to manage the fireworks program, Joe decided he would give back to the community by coordinating its fireworks fundraising efforts. Since he is also a certified pyrotechnics expert, he coordinates the fireworks show as well.

Joe says, “I am so grateful that there was somewhere for me to get the help I needed to get my business focused and on the right track. Lisa Shimkat was patient and took the time to really explain the ‘why’ of the financial side of business. This service needs to be here in our communities for businesses just like me and those businesses that are still in the idea stage.”