By Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
Lifelong Merrill resident Jason Hoffmann has taken his years of technical experience and hit the road of entrepreneurship, opening “JX Technical Solutions” in the Merrill City Center building at 102. S. Mill St.
“I’ve always enjoyed messing around with computers and technical stuff,” the 23-year-old Hoffman explained. “I’ve been doing it since I was about 8 years old, the same age as Bill Gates was when he dove into computers.” Hoffman joked with a smile.
“My mother got a computer very early during the windows 3.1 era when one needed to know DOS commands to even use a computer. The windows platform really had no graphic interface at all, so without learning DOS, it was basically useless,” Hoffman said. “Everything was done by manual command.”
At the age of 12, Hoffman had attained such a grip on computer function and mechanics, he started fixing other people’s and at age 18 he had established his first technical repair and support business.
“Once I got computers down, I started working on game consoles and cell phones,” he added.
While running his own business, Hoffman earned extra income by working for various technology retail chains such as Radio Shack and Best Buy. It was from that experience, he decided to venture out on his own.
“I got tired of working for other people and not being able to honestly help people,” he said. “With big box stores, there are so many rules which keep you from really helping people with what they need. For instance, if the company you work for can’t help someone with the products and services they offer, you can’t send them somewhere else. Even if you know somewhere else is better and more reasonable.
“Now I can use my own knowledge and help people the way they deserve to be. My experience has taught me what people want,” Hoffman added.
In addition, Hoffman has made a point to order all of his inventory and price $2-5 less than box stores.
Hoffman’s store offers a broad range of products and services ranging from audio/video accessories and computer accessories to video games and cellular phone accessories including all the essentials for smart phones and Trac phones.
Hoffman also offers computer and game console repair, video game sale and trade as well as phone repair and recycling services for computers.
Hoffman’s hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For more information on a range of other services and products he offers, give Jason a call at 715-921-4955 or contact him via e-mail at [email protected].