A proud proprietor, Javon Webb prepares to rev up his Geekmobile and fly to someone’s aid.

Javon Webb grew up in Roper, NC, in the rural eastern area of the state. The nearest grocery store was half an hour away. “I knew that if wanted to be successful I would have to leave that area,” he remembers.

He’s still in North Carolina, but now he can be found on the streets of Charlotte, speeding to answer the calls of distressed computer users in his PT-Cruiser. As the proprietor of the Charlotte office of Geeks on Call (www.geeksoncall.com), Webb offers hands-on support to individuals and businesses who need help with computer hardware and software – onsite and usually within a few hours.

Exponential franchise
Geeks on Call was founded in 1999 in Norfolk, VA. The first franchise opened in 2001, and by the beginning of 2003 there were seventy Geeks franchises, at locations in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, Texas, Colorado and Missouri, as well as Washington, DC.

Geeks technicians handle hardware and software repairs and troubleshooting. They also do upgrades, install networks, provide one-on-one training and sell custom-built PCs.

Webb opened the Charlotte franchise this January. He made an initial investment to buy the franchise, and pays ongoing royalties to Geeks on Call. For this, the parent company provides its name and advertising, the services of a call dispatcher, and a technical support system if he meets a problem that he can’t solve himself. “That’s an advantage because when you go out you don’t know what you’ll encounter,” he says.

Ten years helping
But Webb isn’t likely to be calling for much support. He’s spent nearly ten years getting people out of computer jams, as both a consultant and a system engineer.

Webb graduated from Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, NC) in 1993 with a degree in business admin and management. “My father owned a farm labor contracting business, and that was my introduction to the idea of business ownership,” he says. “But I also had an interest in computers and I saw the increasing demand for new technology.”

After graduation Webb moved to Raleigh, NC, where he studied at ECPI Technical College, a private tech career training school. In 1994 he received his AS in computer technology and relocated to Charlotte, NC.

Geek off call: Javon Webb enjoys a break with his wife Treval and son Cameron.

He spent a year as a field engineer with a Charlotte consulting company, servicing computers for First Union National Bank branches in and around Charlotte. “That was my initial contact with troubleshooting computer problems,” he says. “It was good hands-on experience.”

He moved to another consulting firm in 1996, working mostly by himself as a PC and network technician. He did computer support and LAN admin for several area manufacturing plants. During that time, he earned his A+, Microsoft and Lotus certifications.

Last August, Webb saw an article in Black Enterprise magazine about Geeks on Call and its franchising opportunities. He researched the company thoroughly, liked what he saw, and left his job to start getting ready to launch his own business. “I had a business degree in hand and extensive computer experience, and I decided to marry the two,” he says. “This is something I’ve been wanting to do since I was a college student.”

Three calls and counting
In his very first week, Webb had three calls from just a Yellow Pages listing. Now he’s made personal visits to introduce himself to local businesses, and a TV advertising campaign has boosted business even more.

For the moment Webb is working alone, but he hopes to expand his business before long by hiring another field technician and acquiring an additional territory.

Webb loves working for himself. “When I first read about Geeks on Call, I knew right away this was the opportunity for me. I had always wanted to start my own business, but I was hesitant. Joining a franchise with a proven success record gave me the assurance I needed to venture out on my own.”

Webb has met a number of other Geeks franchisees, including two other African Americans. He and his wife are excited about the future business possibilities. “I’d recommend this opportunity to others who have a passion for computers and business ownership,” Webb says.

D/C

– Kate Colborn