Hydro Vs the Little Guys

Hydro vs Waterford Computers et al. (Small Business)

 

Today is the day that my business hours hydro costs double.  So this, in practical terms, means that my once 150 to 200 dollar business bill with now be 300 to 400 dollars a month.  Doubled.  With the stroke of a pen.  Why? Well that hasn’t been told to me, that hasn’t come through my airwaves, that isn’t an enclosure in my bill.  It is a sad fact.  It is a decree brought down by those determining to those who have no choice.

How do I, as a small business person, or a homeowner or renter, battle this? Boycott? Well that’s a novel approach that works only in theory.  Cut back? On what?  I could serve my customers in the dark, but that is not quite the image I want to portray.  I could not use the heat or the air, alas, customers don’t really appreciate that either. 

My only choice, my only recourse, is to raise my prices to cover these costs.  Will I see a profit from this? No.  Will my customers get better service for this cost? No.  Who wins? Hydro.  Who loses? Everyone.  My business is a service business and I do a lot of free work for those who can’t afford or shouldn’t have to pay.  That may have to stop.  I will never recoup in a year what most of the higher ups at these power companies bring in ( The median for Controller is 140 thousand dollars). Maybe I wouldn’t be so devastated if I had their wage.  But I don’t come close. 

Small businesses everywhere will have to close their doors from this. This hurts us. It hurts you. No one gets out unscathed.  It is inexcusable, and it is unfair.  We don’t deserve this.

 

Kathy Davis Sparham

Proprietor: Waterford Computers

19 Alice Street Waterford Ontario  519-900-4025

Settling In .. .

Settling in . . . .

The months have run by us, and the summer is now a fond memory.  This place is becoming home, with paint and curtains, furniture, equipment, and most of all neighbours.  Waterford is my new favorite place, the support is amazing, and the customers continue to show up!  Nice people, so far, all nice people, some who need help, some just advice, and the occasional, well, "just visit" customer.  And it is all good. 

Business is picking up, about how I thought it might, word is getting out there, and we offer such a good and reasonable service that this alone may get us through.  Classes are moving slowly, advertising is a must, and well, I guess you can see my blogging is one of the first things to suffer when time is constrained.

It is exciting, still,  and still new.  But this self employment, and it has ups and downs.  You can't put it to bed, you can't let it go when the doors close, things occur to you at the most inopportune times and you have to speak to them immediately.  I like it though, I enjoy it.  I think helping people, teaching them, getting them online and having them leave happy is its own reward.  Sometimes a customer brings in a computer with the most simple of problems, I fix it quick and easy, and yet they are so relieved to have a functioning computer that they think me very talented.  This is the joy of it.  To be viewed as a problem solver, with talent, to have someone grateful for my contribution, to make someone's life easier, if I could I would do it for free! (Keep that quiet though).

There have been more than a few times when I thought best run for the hills, close the doors and go back to being retired, but I stay.  I have hope for this business, hope for myself, hope for my community and hope for the future.  This hope will carry me, maybe not forever, but for now.  And that's good enough.  For now!

The first month has been, well, normally trying I would guess.  I no longer wake from what I jokingly call sleep and search for my next breath, so things are calming down.  I am starting to think that this wasn't the worst idea I have ever had, and maybe, just maybe, there is a future here for me. 

So this is home to my new adventure.  Despite the panic, I do love this job!  I love the neighbours, the store, and the control of my own destiny.  This is my life now, another change and at a late time, nonetheless.

I learn something new every day, new computer tips, new perspectives, new adventures, something new, every day.  My mind works constantly, and this, at my age, has to be a good thing.  I forget things more, make a few more mistakes, (I put a full cup of coffee away in the cupboard the other day, and my son pulled out the cup and soaked himself) but it is only because more things fill my day.

Lessons are wonderful, I feel like I am helping, enjoy the people, and well, I am good at it.  Damn good at it, why pretend?  Computers are my life, my passion, and this is my lucky break. 

Classes start in September, and I am really hoping they will take off.  My first class is around Ipads, and to be honest I am loving learning about these cool gadgets. 

So many breaks come my way.  I just found out that computers will be provided to those who can not afford them, (much like legal advice) and how cool is that????   Definitely the biggest win win so far!!

I know it is going to be a struggle, and that's going to make success sweeter.  I don't expect to be rich, I just want to cover the basics in my life, much like I cover the basics in my courses.  I want to be able to worry less, enjoy more, and hope for better.  This is my dream!