Excessive College Aspect Hustle Results in 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 Computer systems 4 Folks, 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 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 passion. We would 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 might sift by means of piles of previous electronics, looking for hidden gems. Once we discovered one thing beneficial, we might 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 might clear them up, repair them and promote them on Fb Market or eBay. Earlier than lengthy, this passion changed into 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 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 attainable for me to start out my facet hustle was gaining access to a laptop computer and the web once I was in center college. I might spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on the right way to refurbish computer systems and studying the ins and outs of ecommerce platforms, which helped me attain a whole bunch of shoppers, all from my bed room.

However as I bought deeper into this, I began noticing an enormous downside. On my journeys to Brooklyn, I noticed mountains of e-waste — computer systems tossed away by individuals and corporations who had no concept the right way to get rid of them correctly. On the identical time, I noticed simply how many individuals on the planet (2.6 billion to be actual) do not have 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 discovered right into a nonprofit. Utilizing on-line tutorials, I discovered the right way to incorporate, file for 501(c)(3) standing, create bylaws and get every part up and operating. The plan was easy: Gather used computer systems from people and corporations, 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 among the largest 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 college with operating the nonprofit taught me that there is actually no such factor as steadiness; 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 tasks like this do. To show them improper, I targeted on making a strong construction the place tasks like accounting, HR and program administration have been clearly outlined. I constructed proprietary methods 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 fulfill the overwhelming demand for our companies. With a whole bunch of people on our ready listing, the necessity typically 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 among the largest Fortune 100 and 500 firms to gather their used computer systems, guaranteeing we will proceed successfully bridging the digital divide.

What do the group’s development and success metrics seem like at the moment?
To this point, 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 1000’s 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 workers members.

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What do you get pleasure from most about engaged on this nonprofit?
I like fixing powerful issues, constructing expertise to streamline processes and dealing with a group of mission-driven individuals all targeted on the identical purpose. It is also extremely rewarding to obtain messages day-after-day concerning the life-changing impacts of our packages and to see these outcomes mirrored in our knowledge.

What’s your recommendation for others hoping to start out a corporation that makes an influence?
Let neighborhood insights drive your options; do not begin one thing simply because it appears impactful. Guarantee your efforts create a internet optimistic for the world, particularly within the nonprofit area. At first, do not depend on others to deal with the necessities. Learn to handle incorporation, taxes, accounting, operations, expertise, HR and organising a board of administrators your self. It is vital to grasp your online business and business inside and outside. Upon getting a strong basis, construct a group 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 shortly and hold transferring ahead.