This Aspect Hustle Highlight Q&A options Dylan Zajac, 21, a senior at Babson Faculty. At 15, Zajac had a facet hustle thrifting and fixing computer systems. The gig impressed Zajac to discovered his nonprofit Computer systems 4 Individuals, which gives refurbished computer systems to individuals in want. Responses have been edited for size and readability.
Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Computer systems 4 Individuals
When did you begin your facet hustle, and the place did you discover the inspiration for it?
I began out by going to thrift shops round Brooklyn, New York, with my highschool mates, simply as a enjoyable interest. We might take the PATH practice from Hoboken after which skate from thrift retailer to thrift retailer, usually hitting three or extra in a single day. At these retailers, we would sift via piles of outdated electronics, trying to find hidden gems. After we discovered one thing precious, we would negotiate laborious to get a deal. Some days we purchased so many computer systems we needed to stack them on our skateboards to roll them residence.
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As soon as we received the computer systems again, we would clear them up, repair them and promote them on Fb Market or eBay. Earlier than lengthy, this interest become an actual enterprise. At one level, my total bed room was crammed with random desktops and Apple PowerBooks. The margins have been insane, generally as excessive as 80%!
What have been a number of the first steps you took to get your facet hustle off the bottom? How did it evolve into the nonprofit you run now?
One of many key issues that made it potential for me to start out my facet hustle was getting access to a laptop computer and the web after I was in center college. I might spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on tips on how to refurbish computer systems and studying the ins and outs of ecommerce platforms, which helped me attain a whole bunch of shoppers, all from my bed room.
However as I received deeper into this, I began noticing an enormous drawback. On my journeys to Brooklyn, I noticed mountains of e-waste — computer systems tossed away by individuals and firms who had no concept tips on how to get rid of them correctly. On the identical time, I noticed simply how many individuals on the planet (2.6 billion to be precise) do not have entry to the digital world. That is when the concept for Computer systems 4 Individuals hit me.
I made a decision to show what I might discovered right into a nonprofit. Utilizing on-line tutorials, I discovered tips on how to incorporate, file for 501(c)(3) standing, create bylaws and get every thing up and working. The plan was easy: Acquire used computer systems from people and firms, refurbish them and donate them to individuals and organizations in want. In February 2019, as a 15-year-old highschool sophomore, I formally started my mission to eradicate the digital divide. I have been at it ever since.
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What have been a number of the greatest challenges you confronted whereas constructing Computer systems 4 Individuals, and the way did you navigate them?
One of many hardest challenges was ensuring Computer systems 4 Individuals might run sustainably with out me. Balancing college with working the nonprofit taught me that there is actually no such factor as steadiness; you simply must make it work. Many individuals assumed Computer systems 4 Individuals would disintegrate as soon as I went to varsity, as most small initiatives like this do. To show them fallacious, I targeted on making a stable construction the place duties like accounting, HR and program administration have been clearly outlined. I constructed proprietary techniques to automate stock, consumer administration, donor administration and federal/state grant reporting, which helped us scale and run effectively.
Securing sufficient funding and pc donations stays an ongoing problem as we work to satisfy the overwhelming demand for our providers. With a whole bunch of people on our ready record, the necessity usually outpaces provide. To deal with this, we have been diversifying our funding sources, leveraging authorities grants, basis grants, particular person giving and earned income. Moreover, we’re partnering with a number of the largest Fortune 100 and 500 firms to gather their used computer systems, making certain we are able to proceed successfully bridging the digital divide.
What do the group’s development and success metrics appear to be immediately?
Up to now, we’ve got donated 3,668 computer systems to people in want, diverting over 55,000 kilos of digital waste from landfills. Our applications have empowered 1000’s to entry schooling, safe employment and thrive within the digital world. We have raised over $1.6 million via awarded grants and donations, permitting us to scale quickly and develop our group to over a dozen full-time workers members.
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What do you take pleasure in most about engaged on this nonprofit?
I like fixing robust issues, constructing know-how to streamline processes and dealing with a group of mission-driven individuals all targeted on the identical aim. It is also extremely rewarding to obtain messages each day in regards to the life-changing impacts of our applications and to see these outcomes mirrored in our information.
What’s your recommendation for others hoping to start out a corporation that makes an impression?
Let neighborhood insights drive your options; do not begin one thing simply because it appears impactful. Guarantee your efforts create a internet constructive for the world, particularly within the nonprofit area. To start with, do not depend on others to deal with the necessities. Discover ways to handle incorporation, taxes, accounting, operations, know-how, HR and establishing a board of administrators your self. It’s vital to grasp your enterprise and trade in and out. After getting a stable basis, construct a group that enhances your expertise and consists of individuals who excel in areas like fundraising, accrual accounting or group. Lastly, do not overthink each step: Act quick, make selections shortly and hold shifting ahead.
This text is a part of our ongoing Younger Entrepreneur® collection highlighting the tales, challenges and triumphs of being a younger enterprise proprietor.
