Networking familiarity

if you want us to be specific, YOU be specific. you want to know what hardware you need? what software? what skills? you need people skills the most. your most important asset is the trust of your customers. if you can (once you do) get that, you can get any problem solved. work at building customer relationships constantly. ask yourself how you would like to be treated. then go overboard.
you need test bench with UPS or lightning protected power and phone. you need fast internet connection. my first equipment was official looking electronics vacuum. 2nd was static strap. third was Xcelite screwdriver set. that is probably backwards from proper order. you need to look official. i have big black leather briefcase. look like a doctor (smile). have polo shirt with company name. wear better jeans. briefcase has few tools. number one is static strap. assorted magnetic screwdrivers (yep). flashlight. cable tester. outlet tester. spare cat5 patch cables. blank cds. blank floppys. fake
got any certifications? they will help you get in the door. try for A+ and network+ and, mmm, XP installation and support...
every network is going to be a little different. take time to examine everything. write down stuff. use phrases like, can you tell me more about that? did it ever work? what do you think problem is? get to know customer. if kids pix in office, ask about kids. ask, 'how did you get into this line of work?' the more they talk to you the more they will remember other stuff that doesn't work right ($$ for you).
if you are like me you might need to practice saying, '$65/hour plus tax.' in the mirror over and over so it comes out without hesitation. 'no charge if i can't fix it.' Learn how each OS boots up. learn how to keep yourself out of trouble. make test lab with all os's you can. break and fix them. set up tiny domain. read about Small Business Server. bring your problems to this forum and we will help.

You may want to use this as a model

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9/24/2003
Networking

Networks were once only found in offices and schools, but today they are found all over. Networking enables you to save lots of money, time, and space.

We also provide contracts on all of our networking jobs. Packages are custom built to please our clients and to meet their demands.

Services:

Business networking
Provide network support
File Sharing
High Speed Internet Sharing (Cable/DSL Services)
Printer Sharing
Application
We also setup:

Domain Controllers (Windows NT/2000)
DNS Servers
WINS Servers
Web Servers
Exchange (Exchange 5.5/ 2000)
File Servers
Print Servers
Construct Networks from the ground up.
Wireless networks

I might suggest the COMPTIA A+ and Network+ certifications if you don't already have them. Studying for these certs. really brings all of the info you need home. If you have a community college available, take some courses that lead to the certs. WIth or without the certs, educate yourself before going into business. Hope this helps

Persistence. You'll need plenty of that! And patience - lots of that too! I have been running my own consulting business for 1.5 yrs now, and without persistence and patience I would have quit 2 months in to the venture. There have been times when I have worked on a hard problem for 10 hrs, and then only billed for 2.5. (Sometimes you simply cannot bill for all of the time you spend on a project - particularly if it "shouldn't" have taken so long, or when your own srew up lengthens the session.) And trust me - you will make mistakes, and you will work very hard to correct them.

Be courtious and professional - You can't let a "bad day" reflect back on to your customers. You always have to be in a "great" mood or your customers will start to think that perhaps you arent cut out for the work.

And this one can be the hardest of all - Do what you love to do. If you really like your work, then even bad days are not so bad. If you are just in it for the money your frustration levels may go too high to handle.

Best of luck!

Money

Good people skills

Surround your self with Certified engineers and technicians.

Provide them with the tools of the trade.

Provide them with continuing education.

Sales force that didn't work at Disney.

Good Luck Lee