May 10, 2009

Entrepreneurs try team approach: Store combines computer repair with gift shopBy TMCNet.com

A paycheck that one week was as small as $19 for 40 hours of work was an incentive for a Clarkston man to start his own business.

Gary Marcott has opened Sinecure Enterprises in Lewiston with Malcolm Greene Jr. of Pomeroy. The business provides computer services under the name of Greene Technology and Computer Services, and sells figurines and other gift items under the name of GG&L’s Nik-Nak’s and More.

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Marcott and Greene met when they were working at a computer repair business in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Marcott wasn’t required to be in the office certain hours, but if he wasn’t there he didn’t get a chance to serve customers when they brought in jobs.

The lack of income helped Marcott decide to go into business independently even though the economy is slow. He and Greene figure the demand for computer repairs will remain stable.

People rely on their computers for purposes that range from job searches to entertainment and if they’re trying to save money they might prefer to repair a broken computer rather than purchase a new one.

Greene Technology Services fixes computers on site or on location. Marcott and Greene also build custom computers designed for specific functions such as gaming or office use. Their prices start at $15 to diagnose problems on site or $20 for house calls that take 30 minutes or less. Their hourly rate off-site is $40.

The other part of the business focuses on gift items, which are sold mostly through a catalog or online, but some of the products are in stock at the Clarkston store. Hundreds of products are in their line, including statuettes of animals, fountains, Harley-Davidson memorabilia and scented lotions.

Marcott and Greene are doing everything they can to watch their expenses so they can keep prices as reasonable as possible. They figured that housing two businesses together would attract a wider variety of customers.

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