We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Strange and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
Information: Jonathan Strange
Montgomery, AL

Company:
XiRepair
Electronics Repair & Recovery
Phone, Computer, Tablet & Game Repair & Data Recovery
334-777-1234
Team@XiRepair.com
XiRepair.com

What was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my business because I wanted a better life for myself and my future family. I didn’t want to go through life depending on other people to create the opportunities for me to become successful, instead I wanted to create them myself.

Knowing that I wanted to be an entrepreneur allowed me to focus my sites on the future. What would my business look like? How would it operate? Who would be my customers? Why would my customers choose me over the bigger (at the time) chains?

I answered all of these questions before I ever had my first customer, I pulled out a notebook and jotted down my gameplan.

Do you have a budget?
Absolutely! If you don’t control your money, your money is going to control you. The vast majority of people fail in business not because they can’t convince someone to buy their product, but because they can’t manage their money once their first product is sold. Coming out of the crisis of 2008, I had seen many small businesses around me close their doors because they weren’t prepared. I told myself that I wasn’t going to make those same mistakes in my business.

How do you think about your personal finances and how do you make your lifestyle and spending decisions?
Absolutely! If you don’t control your money, your money is going to control you. The vast majority of people fail in business not because they can’t convince someone to buy their product, but because they can’t manage their money once their first product is sold. Coming out of the crisis of 2008, I had seen many small businesses around me close their doors because they weren’t prepared. I told myself that I wasn’t going to make those same mistakes in my business.

I’m a very simple person. A lot of customers and people in general are shocked when they learn that I am the owner of XiRepair. One because of my age, but two because I’m not wearing the latest and greatest. I own a major tech repair company, but my personal phone is a used $200 android and I built my own personal computer years ago and haven’t upgraded it since.

The only expense that I have that is extravagant compared to most people is food and travel. There is much more value in a 4 star dinner in Italy with my family rather than owning the newest pair of shoes.

What do you think about risk? What role has risks played in your life and career.
You can’t be a business owner, entrepreneur or investor if you don’t take risks. There are no rewards in this world that come without taking risks.

I am adverse to taking risks that are not calculated. Just because you must take a chance when starting a business, doesn’t mean that it has to be left entirely to fate. Starting a business by taking a leap of faith is a whole lot different than starting a new business with a calculated plan. Your chances of success can be in your favor if you do the research and put in the work.

You can’t be a business owner, entrepreneur or investor if you don’t take risks. There are no rewards in this world that come without taking risks.

I am adverse to taking risks that are not calculated. Just because you must take a chance when starting a business, doesn’t mean that it has to be left entirely to fate. Starting a business by taking a leap of faith is a whole lot different than starting a new business with a calculated plan. Your chances of success can be in your favor if you do the research and put in the work.

Where are you from and how did your background and upbringing affect who you are today?

I moved a lot growing up. I’ve lived for extended periods of time in California, Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri. Seeing different parts of the country allowed me to grasp a vast cultural understanding of America, freedom and people from all walks of life. I think seeing a lot of different types of American culture allowed me to be more open minded than most and this has suited me well in business. I also left home at the age of 16 and my business is what kept me alive. Before we ever had employees, XiRepair was how I paid for car insurance and eating out!

What is the most important factor behind your success?

It’s so cliche, but hard work. There is no substitute for working hard and always going over and beyond anyone else around you. There are nights that I have slept in my repair shop, there are nights I have worked multiple days without sleep at all! When you start something from literally nothing as a young teen with no real world experience… you have no option but to grind your face off. This is our #1 factor behind our rapid success.

What values or principles matter the most to you?

A core principle of XiRepair has always been to be an environmentally friendly electronics service option. The global e-waste crisis is a major epidemic plaguing the world as we know it. We have always been committed to decreasing the amount of e-waste in our communities by offering an even better solution to recycling: same day affordable repair options. We live in a throw away economy that doesn’t value the energy and rare earth elements that are wasted when we toss out perfectly good electronics. But XiRepair is helping change the narrative by offering consumers more affordable and faster options that help lower the amount of e-waste by keeping consumers inside the walls of the new circular economy.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

At times it can be difficult to juggle a healthy work life balance, but as I’ve gotten older I have begun to appreciate the need for rest. As an entrepreneur, we are always worried about tomorrow, next week and the year after that. However, it is important to make time for your mind and body.

What’s the end goal? Where do you want to be professionally by the end of your career?

A big milestone for me has always been taking XiRepair public.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?

Because I needed to survive.

Tell us about a book you’ve read and why you like it / what impact it had on you.

Brian Scudamore’s book WTF (Willing to Fail) teaches every entrepreneur how important failure is. Brain’s book had a big impact on me in my early years starting the company.

What should our readers know about your business?
what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. I started my business at 14 so there were zero shortcuts for me. My success has and is being built day and night by hard work and dedication.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?
Starting a business is never easy. For me, it was hard to get grown adults to hand over their 1,000 cellphone to a little freshman in highschool. But as the 5 star online reviews and facebook recommendations came pouring in, so did the trust.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? Stay humble. It’s important to not let your success get to your head, because it leads to the quickest route to failure.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am no special person! I wasn’t privileged growing up, nor has anything been given to me for free. I want everyone to know that because if I can make my teenage business fantasies a reality… so can you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In my city of Montgomery, Alabama, we are the historic home of southern culture, civil rights and major historical landmarks. Our downtown area is flourishing with new events and modern venues. I’d take them out to the legacy museums down town, check out all of our historic landmarks and grab a bite to eat at Lek’s thai.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My spouse, Suraiya Begum. She’s been there for me and the business through every good and bad moment. She helps make bad days good.

Website: jonathanjstrange.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanjstrange/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanjstrange/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StrangeJonathan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathanjstrange

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/xirepair-montgomery-5

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JonathanStrange

Image Credits
@XiRepair

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