Excessive Faculty Aspect Hustle Results in Over $1.6 Million Raised

This Aspect 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 pals, simply as a enjoyable interest. 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 At these retailers, we would sift by piles of outdated electronics, looking for hidden gems. After we discovered one thing useful, we would negotiate onerous to get a deal. Some days we purchased so many computer systems we needed to stack them on our skateboards to roll them house.

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As soon as we bought the computer systems again, we would clear them up, repair them and promote them on Fb Market or eBay. Earlier than lengthy, this interest 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, generally 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 doable for me to begin my facet hustle was accessing a laptop computer and the web after I was in center faculty. 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 tons of of consumers, 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 folks and firms who had no thought the right way to get rid of them correctly. On the identical time, I noticed simply how many individuals on the earth (2.6 billion to be precise) 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 realized 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 little thing up and operating. The plan was easy: Accumulate 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 have 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 may run sustainably with out me. Balancing faculty with operating the nonprofit taught me that there is actually no such factor as steadiness; you simply should make it work. Many individuals assumed Computer systems 4 Folks would collapse as soon as I went to varsity, as most small initiatives like this do. To show them mistaken, I centered on making a strong construction the place obligations like accounting, HR and program administration have been clearly outlined. I constructed proprietary programs to automate stock, consumer 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 satisfy the overwhelming demand for our providers. With tons of of people on our ready listing, the necessity typically outpaces provide. To handle 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 will proceed successfully bridging the digital divide.

What do the group’s development and success metrics appear like in the present day?
Up to now, we have now 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 training, safe employment and thrive within the digital world. We have raised over $1.6 million by awarded grants and donations, permitting us to scale quickly and develop our crew to over a dozen full-time workers members.

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What do you take pleasure in most about engaged on this nonprofit?
I really like fixing powerful issues, constructing expertise to streamline processes and dealing with a crew of mission-driven folks all centered on the identical purpose. It is also extremely rewarding to obtain messages day by day in regards to the life-changing impacts of our packages and to see these outcomes mirrored in our knowledge.

What’s your recommendation for others hoping to begin a company that makes an affect?
Let group 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. Learn to handle incorporation, taxes, accounting, operations, expertise, HR and organising a board of administrators your self. It’s vital to grasp your small business and trade inside and outside. After getting a strong basis, construct a crew that enhances your expertise and consists of individuals who excel in areas like fundraising, accrual accounting or group. Lastly, do not overthink each step: Act quick, make choices shortly and preserve shifting ahead.