GOSHEN —
In spite of a down economy, one Goshen business has been thriving.
TechKnowledgey Inc. founder Boyd Smith opened the company Jan. 1, 2007, after incorporating in 2006, with a plan to provide clients with IT services and Xerox products. With 10 years of experience in IT and one other employee, they began doing business.
“I wanted to start a company that empowered businesses with tech knowledge,” Smith said, but noted “We opened our doors just in time to get hit by the economic storm.”
His solution to stay in business? Get good quick.
“Along the way, we continued to grow and take care of our customers, and here in 2010, things have gone really well for us,” he said.
The company now has five people on its payroll and Smith intends to expand further as its work level dictates. He said the most likely expansion will be adding more salespeople and more technicians.
One recent development came as TechKnowledgey became an authorized reseller of Google Apps earlier this year. Google Apps is part of the cloud computing boom, allowing the creation of software applications for everything from file storage to resource calendaring, workflow organization and controlling internal networks. Cloud computing refers to internet-based computing, where users pay a fee for storage space, resources and software on an on-demand basis, removing the user’s dependence on their individual computer.
“And Google Apps is the Swiss army knife of cloud computing,” Smith said.
Smith is a major proponent of cloud computing in general, arguing its ability to provide computer independence and location independence is a huge driver for customers who purchase Google Apps solutions from TechKnowledgey.
The most recent development for the company, however, has been its move to a new building at 1840 W. Lincoln Ave. The business had been located on the second floor of The Famous building in downtown Goshen. Smith said they liked being downtown, but were drawn to the opportunities provided by having their own building, and a proper sign.
“The main reason we moved is we enjoy having a building of our own that suits our needs,” he said. “We’re really pleased to call this our new home.”
In addition to its actual business efforts, TechKnowledgey also donates a portion of its monthly profits to Kiwanis International, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Goshen, the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, the Goshen Chamber of Commerce and Asia’s Hope, a multi-denominational organization that provides long-term care for orphaned children at high risk of sexual and economic exploitation.
In fact, Smith is leaving today on a trip to Cambodia and Thailand to visit the children and the Asia’s Hope workers, to bring more resources and to spend time with the orphans face-to-face. He said such efforts are a part of TechKnowledgey’s purpose.
“Hopefully, it enables us to leave the world better than we found it,” Smith said of his company.
Smith is also a long-time member of Goshen Noon Kiwanis and Grace Community Church, which also donates to Asia’s Hope.
As for what he would say to other businesses in the area trying to find their success in the midst of many challenges?
“You make your own luck,” Smith said. “You shouldn’t listen to the chorus of the world around you saying ‘The sky is falling, the sky is falling.’ Regain your courage and boldly claim the future.”
Local News
Related Photos
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TechKnowledgey, Inc., founder Boyd Smith sits at his desk inside his new office on Monday. JESSE DAVIS | THE GOSHEN NEWS
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