Computers are home work

The young entrepreneur says he is paying himself $12 an hour to start.
By CYNTHIA VINARSKY
VINDICATOR BUSINESS WRITER
WEST FARMINGTON -- For Ryan Shaffer, satisfied customers just won't cut it. He wants his customers to be thrilled.
At 15, Ryan is founder, chief executive and head technician for Thrill-O-Byte, a home-based computer company specializing in the design and sale of personal computer systems and computer upgrades.
The young entrepreneur has checked out the competition, and he's confident he can offer new computer systems and system upgrades of the same quality provided by adult-run computer businesses, but for less.
"My slogan is: Today's computers at tomorrow's prices," he said. Computer prices have been dropping gradually, he explained, so Thrill-O-Byte will be updating its price list regularly to reflect decreasing component costs.
His March price list offers systems ranging from $829 to $1,749, not including a printer or scanner.
Background: Ryan is home-schooled, along with his three younger brothers, and he said he learned most of what he knows about computers by working on the family's home computer with his father, Jerry, an engineering supervisor at Delphi Packard Electric Corp.
He was 11 or 12 when they bought their first upgrade kit and followed the directions to speed up their home system. "Dad did most of the work that time," he recalled.
Since then father and son have experimented frequently on the family computer, with Ryan gradually taking over most of the work.
"It's 7 years old, but the only original parts left are the case and the floppy drive," Ryan said. "We've probably upgraded it seven or eight times."
With that experience under his belt, Ryan moved on to upgrade the computers of several friends and relatives.
How idea began: The idea for Thrill-O-Byte was hatched in the summer of 1999 on the way home from a family vacation in Myrtle Beach, Va. The trip gave Ryan time to come up with a company name and to begin working out the details of his business plan.
At first he was unsure whether he could beat the prices offered by leading PC retailers. He did some research and found suppliers, mostly in the Cleveland area, who could provide high-quality components for a discounted price.
In July 2000, about a year after the idea for Thrill-O-Byte was born, the Shaffers traveled to Columbus to apply for an Ohio vendor's license. It was official.
Ryan decided to pay himself $12 an hour to start. He said the average computer upgrade takes four to five hours, and building a new system generally takes him eight to 10 hours.
The teen decided to offer customers free Internet access through BlueLight.com, free local delivery and system setup and a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
He plans to offer free, 12-month technical support -- by phone if possible, in person if necessary. "Unfortunately we don't offer 24-7 technical support," he said, grinning. "My parents wouldn't go along with that."
He'll also provide a 48-hour system burn-in, or test run. "Most electronics, if they're gonna fail, will fail in the first 48 hours," he said.
First sale: Ryan said his company's first computer sale was a system for Teen Straight Talk, a nonprofit agency in Howland, and he's also completed three system upgrades so far.
He's marketing the company's services to friends, family members and acquaintances first. "My goal is to have thrilled customers who can't wait to spread the word about Thrill-O-Byte," he said.
Ryan's father and his mother, Lee Ann, both electrical engineers, share responsibility for home-schooling him and his three younger brothers.
Besides his interest in computers, Ryan is an excellent speller -- he represented the Valley in Washington, D.C., last year as the winner of The Vindicator's Regional Spelling Bee.
He also enjoys studying Latin and math. Ryan has already whizzed through Algebra I and II, Geometry, advanced math and trigonometry and is doing a self-directed study of calculus now.
"I'd be at a loss to tell you what he's doing in calculus," his mother said with a smile. "He has a tremendous aptitude. At this point, he's teaching himself the subject."
XOn the web: Contact Thrill-O-Byte at www.thrillobyte.cjb.net or by calling (330)889-0226.