Excessive Faculty 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 offers 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 At these outlets, we might sift by means of piles of outdated electronics, looking for hidden gems. After we discovered one thing invaluable, we might negotiate exhausting 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 might clear them up, repair them and promote them on Fb Market or eBay. Earlier than lengthy, this pastime was an actual enterprise. At one level, my total bed room was stuffed with random desktops and Apple PowerBooks. The margins had been insane, typically as excessive as 80%!

What had 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 after I was in center college. I might spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on find out 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 downside. On my journeys to Brooklyn, I noticed mountains of e-waste — computer systems tossed away by folks and firms who had no concept find out how to eliminate them correctly. On the identical time, I spotted 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 thought 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 find out how to incorporate, file for 501(c)(3) standing, create bylaws and get the whole lot up and working. The plan was easy: Gather used computer systems from people and firms, 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 eradicate the digital divide. I have been at it ever since.

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What had 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 might run sustainably with out me. Balancing college with working 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 disintegrate as soon as I went to varsity, as most small initiatives like this do. To show them incorrect, I targeted on making a stable construction the place tasks like accounting, HR and program administration had 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 pc donations stays an ongoing problem as we work to fulfill the overwhelming demand for our providers. With tons of of people on our ready record, 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 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 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 applications 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 workforce 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 know-how to streamline processes and dealing with a workforce of mission-driven folks all targeted on the identical aim. It is also extremely rewarding to obtain messages every single day concerning the life-changing impacts of our applications and to see these outcomes mirrored in our information.

What’s your recommendation for others hoping to start out a company 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 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’s vital to know your online business and business inside and outside. After you have a stable basis, construct a workforce 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 hold shifting ahead.