Open 4 Business

Noobie Inc.

What prepared you for this endeavor? I’ve been involved with technology for nearly 20 years. My background is in computer programming and web development. I started with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in 1992 and ended up with a healthcare startup company called RealMed for nearly seven years.

Last October, I visited my brother-in-law and saw his brand-new still-in-the-box iPod on his desk. He had had it for more than four months and never took it out of the box. I helped him set it up and showed him how to use it. He was like a kid in a candy store.

I recognized a business opportunity to empower noobies (people who are frustrated trying to learn new technology or who don’t have the time to learn new technology) and started my own business.

What are the trends for your industry? Noobies’ job is to help people make sense of all the new technology by simplifying the technology and by teaching them to use the products and services that are right for them?

How do you differ from your competitors? Most companies or publications that teach people about technology are still written at too high of a level for the majority of technology consumers. Noobie helps get people excited about new technology by teaching them step-by-step how to use the technology through one-on-one coaching and hands-on workshops.

Do you have a mentor? I have several. My father who started his own business 15 years ago and built it into the number one business in its market. The founder of a former company I worked for taught me to just go for it and follow my dreams.

This article originally appeared in the Johnson County Business Leader, October 2006.