From March 1994 to March 1996, I worked for a small break-fix computer shop that did not do any networking.

My coworker Mike and I started a networking division. The promise was: “Get it off the ground, and you will earn equity in the company.”

Our efforts were very successful and we added more employees to the fledgling networking division.

We were profitable from the start, charging much more than the break-fix legacy division.

Feeling good about what we had built, we asked for a meeting with the company owners.

We came to the meeting well prepared. I had previously been a budgets and forecasting analyst, so I knew my way around a spreadsheet.

The day of the meeting came. We reviewed the numbers I had prepared, and there was no denying our success.

Then the owners spoke up: “We have decided not to give you two equity.”
A heated discussion ensued, with Mike and me pointing out what we had done for them.

One of the owners said, “If you think this is so easy, you should go do it yourself.”

It was at that moment that Networking Solutions, Inc. was born!

After that meeting, we decided to do just that …go do it ourselves.

Three months later, in April, we were incorporated and started the business.

I left first to get things rolling, and Mike joined me in June of 1996.

It’s been quite the ride. 🎢

In 1999, I bought Mike out and kept going.

It took me a few years to really start doing well. 💰

About five years after I bought out my partner, my best partner, my wife said to me, “The girls need me at home, it’s time, so I’m retiring.”

I said, “I agree this was always the plan. Pre-teen girls need their mom more than their dad.”

It was my turn to step up and provide for the family. The pressure was on. You see, my wife had done a great job climbing the fortune 50 corporate ladder and was very successful.

As I sit here and reflect, I realize
I’ve had a ton of great clients along the way and many have been with me since the beginning.

To them, I send a heartfelt thank you for trusting me and my team.

I’m feeling very proud, but humble at the same time. I know I didn’t do this alone. I had help from family, friends, clients, and employees.

There was one person who supported me in the very early days, she inspired me to work harder and drive success, my wife of nearly 36 years, Megan. ❤️

For me, failure was not an option, even during the tough months and years. I was on a mission.

Do I have another 30 in me?

I think I do.

But I also have my youngest who needs more time with Dad, so maybe a little more balance 😉

Thanks to all who helped me.

Networking Solutions, Inc. 30 years old.

I never could have imagined it.