What do Apple Computer, Hershey’s, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and the Ford Motor Company have in common? These well-known corporations all started as home-based businesses. In fact, more than half of all U.S. businesses are based out of an owner’s home.
Moorhead, MN is no exception. Computer Wrench on 8th Street South is one of many Moorhead home-based businesses. The main floor is dedicated to the business with the upper floors for the owner’s living area. Owner and operator of Computer Wrench and TAPS Consulting Scott Guhlke explains that there is a good reason for that high number of home-based firms. Having a business in your home can provide flexible working hours and not having to commute to work can save a great deal of time and money.
As a 1978 Detroit Lakes, MN high school graduate, Guhlke entered Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1988 as a nontraditional student after acquiring real life experiences. Because of these life experiences and the understanding of the value of education and training, he completed his accounting degree in a little more than three years. Even more amazing is the fact that he accomplished a college degree while operating his drywall business, starting work at 4:30 am and studying late into the night.
Guhlke’s work experiences include Controller, Glass Unlimited, Jerry Haga Accounting firm, and Eide Bailly LLP. Even though these experiences were positive, the entrepreneur in him led to the establishment of TAPS Consulting in 2002, which provides clients with service and support for accounting software. As a dedicated family man, the company TAPS is an acronym for son Tyler, daughter Amanda, wife Pam, and Scott himself.
Expanding the business into the repair side of the computer world, Scott purchased Computer Wrench in 2009. The business offers a variety of computer services, from virus removal to hardware installation. The staff includes three technicians: Son Tyler, Karl from the Philippines, Haider from the Middle East and Joann as office manager. The move to the present location in 2012 placed the business within walking distance of Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead, which provides a significant customer base. Even though his wife Pam thought it was going to be more of a hobby, it has been a very successful venture.
In addition to location, Guhlke explained that the company billboard on 8th Street has been impactful. The size of the billboard makes it impossible not to notice. As 8th Street is a well-traveled route, potential customers see the billboard regularly, which makes it more likely to stick in their minds.
Guhlke is quick to point out that the advice and counsel of Pam’s 27 years of banking experience has made a very substantial contribution to the overall success of the family business.
He also noted that good communication is an important ingredient not only in a strong marriage, but also in business. Many of the customers simply don’t understand the technology of a computer. Customers know when their computers aren’t working properly, and it’s the pleasure and responsibility of Scott and his team to work with customers on how to make the most of their investment in a non-threatening and non-technical conversation.
promise: “If your computer needs it, we do it.”
