High School Side Hustle Leads to Over $1.6 Million Raised

This Aspect Hustle Highlight Q&A options Dylan Zajac, 21, a senior at Babson School. At 15, Zajac had a facet hustle thrifting and fixing computer systems. The gig impressed Zajac to discovered his nonprofit Computers 4 People, which supplies refurbished computer systems to individuals in want. Responses have been edited for size and readability.

^{Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Computer systems 4 Folks}

When did you begin your side 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 pals, simply as a enjoyable interest. We would take the PATH prepare 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 At these retailers, we would sift by way of piles of outdated electronics, trying to find hidden gems. After we discovered one thing worthwhile, we would negotiate arduous to get a deal. Some days we purchased so many computer systems we needed to stack them on our skateboards to roll them dwelling.

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As soon as we acquired the computer systems again, we would clear them up, repair them and promote them on Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Earlier than lengthy, this interest become an actual enterprise. At one level, my complete bed room was stuffed with random desktops and Apple PowerBooks. The margins have been insane, typically as excessive as 80%!

What have been a few of the first steps you took to get your side 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 begin my facet hustle was gaining access to a laptop computer and the web once I was in center faculty. I might spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on learn how to refurbish computer systems and studying the ins and outs of ecommerce platforms, which helped me attain tons of of consumers, all from my bed room.

However as I acquired 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 learn how to get rid of them correctly. On the similar time, I noticed simply how many individuals on this planet (2.6 billion to be actual) haven’t got entry to the digital world. That is when the concept for Computer systems 4 Folks hit me.

I made a decision to show what I might realized right into a nonprofit. Utilizing on-line tutorials, I discovered learn how to incorporate, file for 501(c)(3) standing, create bylaws and get all the pieces up and operating. The plan was easy: Accumulate 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 few of the greatest challenges you confronted whereas constructing Computer systems 4 Folks, and the way did you navigate them?
One of many hardest challenges was ensuring Computer systems 4 Folks might run sustainably with out me. Balancing faculty with operating the nonprofit taught me that there is actually no such factor as stability; you simply must make it work. Many individuals assumed Computer systems 4 Folks would crumble as soon as I went to school, as most small initiatives like this do. To show them fallacious, I centered 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, shopper administration, donor administration and federal/state grant reporting, which helped us scale and run effectively.

Securing enough funding and pc donations stays an ongoing problem as we work to satisfy the overwhelming demand for our providers. With tons of 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 few 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 seem like right now?
Thus far, we’ve got donated 3,668 computer systems to people in want, diverting over 55,000 kilos of digital waste from landfills. Our packages have empowered hundreds to entry training, safe employment and thrive within the digital world. We have raised over $1.6 million by way of awarded grants and donations, permitting us to scale quickly and develop our workforce 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 really like fixing robust issues, constructing know-how to streamline processes and dealing with a workforce of mission-driven individuals all centered on the identical purpose. It is also extremely rewarding to obtain messages on daily basis in regards to the life-changing impacts of our packages and to see these outcomes mirrored in our knowledge.

What’s your recommendation for others hoping to begin a corporation that makes an impression?
Let group 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 house. 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 organising a board of directors your self. It is vital to grasp your online business and business in and out. Upon getting a stable basis, construct a workforce that enhances your abilities and consists of individuals who excel in areas like fundraising, accrual accounting or group. Lastly, do not overthink each step: Act quick, make selections rapidly and maintain transferring ahead.