Marcia Erickson, Executive Director
414 3rd Avenue East
Sisseton, SD 57262
Phone: (605) 698-7654
Fax: (605) 698-6500
nesdcap@nesdcap-nesdec.org
www.nesdcap-nesdec.org
Counties Served:
Beadle, Brown, Campbell, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Hand,
Hyde, Hughes, McPherson, Marshall, Potter, Roberts,
Spink, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth
Incorporated: 1966
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COMPUTER DOCTOR MAKING HOUSE CALLS FROM CANADA TO MEXICO
Two Aberdeen, SD brothers, Lonnie and Phil Helgerson, have built an idea brainstormed on a break at Super 8 headquarters nine years ago into Computer Doctor — number 381 on the Franchise 500 for 2001 in "Entrepreneur Magazine", and 21st on the "Income Opportunities" list of the 150 most profitable low-cost franchises in 2000. Founder and Chief Executive Lonnie, now 37, got his start at Super 8, the Aberdeen-based motel chain. Repairing computers there led him to start a business backing up computer data. That concept didn’t work, but client requests involved him doing repairs, and Computer Doctor was born.Today Computer Doctor sells franchises to two types of operations combining sales of new and refurbished computers and related equipment with in-store repairs and a mobile repair service. One type, a full-size, stand alone Computer Doctor, costs from $100,000 to $150,000. The other, Computer Doctor Express, located within an existing business, costs $55,000 to $75,000. Describing the work the business does, Lonnie told The Argus Leader, "It can be as simple  as reloading software or as complex as installing a PC-based x-ray machine in a dentist’s office." Currently, there are 150 full-size stores open, or in development, spread from Canada, across the United States to Mexico. Another 22 stores are in negotiations. Under the terms of a deal struck with Wal-Mart, covered on the front page of the "Wall Street Journal," two of what may become 100 Express outlets are also open. Computer Doctor also provides franchisees with extensive training, and sells them everything they need to furnish, equip and supply their stores. Much of this merchandise is produced right in Aberdeen. But times weren’t always so good. In 1994, after two years of losses, Helgerson couldn’t get any conventional financing. Northeast South Dakota Economic Corporation (NESDEC), an affiliate of Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program, stepped in, making the first of two loans, and starting a technical assistance relationship, which survives today. When Computer Doctor launched its franchisee supply business line in 1998, NESDEC made its second loan. After all the success Computer Doctor has enjoyed, and all the media attention, including stories in "USA Today" and on CBS, CNNfn and CNBC, the "Aberdeen American News" asked Lonnie whether he planned to move. "… Aberdeen is home, and we like it here. We want to stay here." With 20 employees at its corporate headquarters, more than $10 million in annual sales, and more growth ahead, Lonnie told the News: "How do I sleep at night? Like a baby, … but I’m out of bed at 6 a.m., diving into the next day. There’s no going back to sleep." Computer Doctor International has begun a system-wide name change to Expetec Technology Services. Corporate ownership and headquarters remain the same, while service centers across the nation will change names to Expetec during the next two years.FARM FAMILY GROWS CATERING BUSINESS GIVES BOOST TO PRAIRIE TOWN  It's tough making it today on a family farm. Ask Cheryl and Fred Schaefers. Fred's family has been farming in Hand County, South Dakota for three generations. But when the couple needed to supplement their income to make ends meet, Cheryl started cooking. She bought the café in Orient. She operated the business for seven years, gaining a reputation for her food and service.
Last year, Cheryl realized a longtime dream. She and Fred launched Cheryl's Catering. Using $13,000 in savings and sweat equity and a $10,000 bank loan guaranteed by Northeast South Dakota Economic Corporation (NESDEC), the Schaefers purchased and remodeled the vacant high school building in Polo, SD (population 26). Fred, his mother, brothers and sisters had attended Polo High. Fred's cousin, Hilarius Schaefers, was a member of the class of 1928, the first in Polo. Cheryl's mom, Helen Peterson, started the lunch program for the Polo schools that Cheryl's Catering now manages.  With help of seven children and two grandchildren, the Schaefers transformed the historic school building into headquarters for Cheryl's Catering. They turned the home economics classroom into a state-certified kitchen, and other classrooms into dining rooms with an old-time schoolroom décor. Cheryl said, "I have always felt there should be some way the buildings in Polo could be utilized." A local resident and NESDEC board member, JoAnn Schaefers, who lives in the area, says: "The transformation is awesome and exciting . . . ."
Today, Cheryl's Catering employs 15 people. It can provide meals for up to 650. Cheryl is operating the restaurants at two livestock sale barns, in Miller and Fort Pierre. More changes at the High School are in the works, including private dining rooms and bedrooms for overnight guests. NESDEC continues to help, providing technical assistance on budgeting and bookkeeping. Business has been so brisk, Cheryl has hired an outside bookkeeper. Cheryl explains what her company means to her this way: "Freedom and independence to be as busy or not as busy as you like and schedule in family time, as well as supplement the farm income. The whole family is employed in the business and enjoys the time together." JoAnn Schaefers says: "NESDEC has again put their money in the hands of a needy family in a small rural community. That is what we are all about." |
