In Fast-teks, This Franchisee Finds All of The Benefits of Business Ownership Without All of The Risk
By Jocelyn Chavez
With a decade of experience as a data analyst for technology firms, Andrea Tringo readily found consulting assignments when she was laid off. However, after a year spent consulting on a part-time basis and looking for a full-time position, Tringo began considering business ownership.
"I had entertained the thought of starting my own business as a contractor, but I didn't know how to market myself and I didn’t have anyone to turn to in order to get information about starting my own business," Tringo recalled. “I began researching franchise opportunities in February, 2009. A franchise is a great option because it provides you with a proven concept, support and the benefits of being your own boss without all of the risk.”
“I went to Franchise.com to see if there were any franchises that were right for me. Franchise.com was very easy to navigate. It was very easy to find the investment level and industry categories on the home page…from there I was able to look at the options in my investment range which were categorized by industry. Franchise.com has all of the information necessary for both initial research and more in-depth research,” Tringo noted.
A Home-Based, Low-Investment, Low - to Zero-Overhead Concept With Very Few Barriers to Entry
“Fast-teks was one of the franchises that came up in my initial Franchise.com search results…I researched franchises extensively and I kept coming back to the Fast-teks concept. It’s a home-based, low-investment, low- to zero-overhead business. Being able to work remotely from home, the airport, or anywhere that I can take a laptop was a huge attraction for me. There were very few barriers to my being productive…I already owned the necessary equipment and I was very comfortable working from home, so I was already halfway there,” Tringo explained of her decision to purchase the computer and IT services franchise.
“I’m in the process of gearing up and will launch the business in the North Metro Denver, Colorado area in several weeks,” she said. “It’s a lower-risk and more steady business to own. You have more control and it’s easier to project your future than starting a business from scratch, but it’s like having a regular full-time job in that it’s somewhat predictable.”
IT Experience Isn’t a Prerequisite
Although Tringo has experience in the technology industry, Fast-teks franchisees don’t need to possess an IT or computer background, “My IT experience isn’t relevant to setting up networks for small businesses or residential clients. I speak tech. but you don’t need to have IT experience to succeed as a Fast-teks franchisee. I’ll be managing three to four part-time techs that will perform the services onsite for businesses and residential customers. My main focus will be marketing and promoting the business and the reporting, hiring, payroll and human resources aspects of the business, most of which I can perform from home. Aside from setting up initial contracts, networking and being onsite with business clients, I’ll be working from home,” Tringo added.
“Prospective Fast-teks franchisees should have some management experience. I had managed crews of employees and techs for projects in the past, so I was comfortable managing people,” Tringo said. “Fast-teks franchisees should also be confident, accountable, have the discipline to work from home and be able to take direction from people who’ve already been successful.”
“As a Fast-teks franchisee I have access to a support network that’s already figured out what it takes to be successful and I have no problem implementing what they say works,” Tringo said. “For example, I learned that networking is important, so I joined the chamber of commerce…Being an active part of the community is key.”
Expert Advice And Exceptional Support
Although Fast-teks franchisees typically attend initial training at the company’s headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Tringo received training at her home office. “One of the first franchisees that launched is here in Colorado. He has been successful and is a very good trainer and very good at explaining his experience, so he trained me at my home office for two days,” she said.
“The training prepares you to go on to the next steps. The training and support is ongoing. There are conference calls with support specialists from the home office during which you go over details. I’ve already had conference calls regarding marketing and advertising the business, and I scheduled an upcoming conference call regarding hiring because I’m getting so many responses for the ad that I placed to hire techs,” Tringo said.
“In addition to the support specialists in Tampa, the franchisee that trained me and other Fast-teks franchisees in Colorado have been happy to offer advice…and the more feedback I get, the better,” she said. “There is also a forum on our Intranet site where franchisees post questions and other franchisees provide answers and weigh-in. I haven’t had to post a question yet, because I’ve found answers to my questions there. That alone is worth the price of admission.”
