EET facilitators are highly accomplished young entrepreneurs. Speakers share their stories—both triumphs and challenges that they have faced—in addition to advice on how to leverage the entrepreneurial mindset regardless of what career path you choose.
Interested in being a speaker on the tour? Visit our call for speakers page to learn more.
Ryan Everson
Ryan L. Everson (19) is the owner of Computer Doctors and REV Business Solutions, compromised of 3 retail storefronts in Mid-Michigan.
Ryan first became an entrepreneur when he was 16 years old when he started a computer repair business. The day after graduating high school, he opened a 2400 square foot retail storefront providing computer maintenance contracts for business customers.
Everson now has 6 full time employees and 3 retail stores in Mid-Michigan with annual revenue exceeding $750,000. Looking into the future, Everson foresees his company expanding to more stores across the state and possibly even franchising out across the nation.
More about Ryan
Biggest obstacle overcome...
One of the biggest obstacles I have overcome is breaking the barrier of a high school student opening their own retail storefront. I did not have any financial support so I had to sell my pride and joy, my car. It was hard to get landlords and other distributors to take me seriously. Finally, after much persistence, I had everything in line to turn on my open sign the day high school let out.
Biggest business mistake...
One of the biggest business mistakes I've made is spreading myself too thin. At the beginning I wanted to do everything myself, even when the workload become way too large. So that led to angry customers, and I finally realized hiring an employee might not be that bad of an idea.
Biggest vice...
Next to spreading myself too thing, my next biggest downfall is that I am nice, sometimes way too nice. Anytime customers got a tiny bit mad I would bend over backwards for them and promise things that were almost impossible to accomplish. Now I am starting to be more realistic and do what is best for the company and the customer.
Most embarrassing business moment...
Being the owner of a computer company, you may think that I am dorky and clumsy; however I think I'm different than that stereotype, but I guess I could be wrong! Despite the stereotype, it always embarrasses me most when customers do not believe that I own the company. I guess you could say that I am self conscious about my young age.
