Excessive College Facet Hustle Results in Over $1.6 Million Raised

This Facet Hustle Highlight Q&A options Dylan Zajac, 21, a senior at Babson Faculty. At 15, Zajac had a facet hustle thrifting and fixing computer systems. The gig impressed Zajac to discovered his nonprofit Computer systems 4 Folks, which gives refurbished computer systems to folks in want. Responses have been edited for size and readability.

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

When did you begin your facet 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 associates, simply as a enjoyable pastime. We might take the PATH prepare from Hoboken after which skate from thrift retailer to thrift retailer, typically hitting three or extra in a single day. At these retailers, we would sift by means of piles of outdated electronics, looking for hidden gems. After we discovered one thing precious, 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 bought the computer systems again, we would clear them up, repair them and promote them on Fb Market or eBay. Earlier than lengthy, this pastime became an actual enterprise. At one level, my whole bed room was stuffed with random desktops and Apple PowerBooks. The margins have been insane, generally as excessive as 80%!

What have been among the first steps you took to get your facet 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 accessing a laptop computer and the web after I was in center faculty. I would spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on methods 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 bought 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 folks and corporations who had no concept methods to get rid of them correctly. On the identical time, I spotted simply how many individuals on the planet (2.6 billion to be precise) 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 would discovered right into a nonprofit. Utilizing on-line tutorials, I found out methods to incorporate, file for 501(c)(3) standing, create bylaws and get every little thing up and working. The plan was easy: Acquire used computer systems from people and corporations, refurbish them and donate them to folks and organizations in want. In February 2019, as a 15-year-old highschool sophomore, I formally started my mission to get rid of the digital divide. I have been at it ever since.

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What have been among 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 may run sustainably with out me. Balancing faculty with working 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 varsity, 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 programs to automate stock, shopper administration, donor administration and federal/state grant reporting, which helped us scale and run effectively.

Securing sufficient funding and laptop 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 typically outpaces provide. To handle this, we have been diversifying our funding sources, leveraging authorities grants, basis grants, particular person giving and earned income. Moreover, we’re partnering with among the largest Fortune 100 and 500 corporations to gather their used computer systems, making certain we are able to proceed successfully bridging the digital divide.

What do the group’s progress and success metrics appear like at this time?
So far, we have now 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 schooling, safe employment and thrive within the digital world. We have raised over $1.6 million by means of awarded grants and donations, permitting us to scale quickly and develop our group to over a dozen full-time employees members.

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What do you get pleasure from most about engaged on this nonprofit?
I really like fixing robust issues, constructing know-how to streamline processes and dealing with a group of mission-driven folks all centered on the identical aim. It is also extremely rewarding to obtain messages each day in regards to the life-changing impacts of our packages and to see these outcomes mirrored in our information.

What’s your recommendation for others hoping to begin a company that makes an impression?
Let neighborhood insights drive your options; do not begin one thing simply because it appears impactful. Guarantee your efforts create a web 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 administrators your self. It is vital to know what you are promoting and trade inside and outside. After getting a stable basis, construct a group that enhances your expertise and contains individuals who excel in areas like fundraising, accrual accounting or group. Lastly, do not overthink each step: Act quick, make selections shortly and maintain transferring ahead.