From Garage Geek to Tech Entrepreneur: How I Built a Custom PC Business from Scratch
I was never the kid who asked for toys at Christmas—I wanted graphics cards, thermal paste, and RGB fans. My obsession with computers started before I hit my teenage years. While other kids played Call of Duty, I was watching teardown videos on YouTube, learning how to build the perfect airflow case or squeeze 5 extra FPS from an old GPU.
By the time I was 16, I could disassemble a desktop blindfolded and tell you the wattage of nearly every PSU on the market. It didn’t take long before friends started asking me to build computers for them—first for gaming, then for streaming, then for small businesses.
My first “workshop” was a dusty bench in my parents’ garage. Nothing fancy—just a soldering iron, a secondhand anti-static mat, and a shelf full of salvaged motherboards. I didn’t think of it as a business back then. I just knew I loved every second of it. But what started as a hobby soon became something much bigger.
Where It All Began: Custom Builds in a Garage
At first, I built computers for free—or for pizza. Eventually, I started charging enough to cover parts and maybe make $50 in profit. I listed builds on eBay and Reddit, wrote detailed specs, and packaged each system like it was going to a museum. I wasn’t just building PCs—I was building someone’s dream machine.
Orders started picking up. My listings on eBay got views. Then sales. I reinvested every dollar into better parts, tools, and testing equipment. Before long, I was shipping three to five custom PCs a week, all out of that same garage, all by myself.
I knew it was time to take the leap and make this real—not just as a side hustle, but as a legitimate business.
Turning Passion into a Company
Once I started getting serious orders—including one from a small production studio needing six high-end editing rigs—I realized I couldn’t operate like a solo hobbyist anymore. I needed to register the business, open a bank account, and protect myself legally.
After some research, I learned that forming an LLC was the most practical first step. It offered liability protection, gave me credibility, and allowed me to write invoices and get contracts signed. I didn’t have a clue how to handle the paperwork—until I found InCorp.com.
Why I Chose InCorp.com to Form My LLC
InCorp.com stood out right away. Their platform was made for people like me—builders, creators, makers—who just want to get started without becoming corporate law experts overnight. Their online LLC formation process was quick, intuitive, and transparent. I filled out the forms, picked my state, and my LLC was up and running in no time.
What sealed the deal? They offered the cheapest registered agent service I could find—without sacrificing quality. Their platform manages all my legal notices and compliance deadlines so I can focus on testing RAM kits instead of chasing down paperwork.
Growing the Brand: From eBay to Direct Sales
With my LLC formed, I started building a brand: **IronCore Customs**. I built a simple website, posted time-lapse videos of builds on social media, and started collecting reviews. As trust grew, so did volume.
I began offering tiered PC builds—Starter, Pro, and Ultra—alongside completely custom configurations. Every machine was hand-assembled, stress-tested, and shipped with a signed build sheet. It was that personal touch, that “boutique” feel, that set IronCore apart from big-box brands.
Milestones and Metrics
Within the first year of officially launching, I saw numbers that honestly surprised me. Here’s what my journey looked like from garage startup to legitimate tech business:
| Business Metric | Month 1 | 6 Months | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly PC Orders | 4 | 22 | 48+ |
| Average Revenue per Month | $1,400 | $9,200 | $21,000+ |
| Team Size | Just me | Me + 1 part-time packager | 4 staff + freelance technician |
| Customer Base | Local friends & eBay buyers | Gamers + media studios | Nationwide orders, including B2B |
The InCorp.com Difference
I credit a lot of my early momentum to how smooth the LLC setup was. Without that solid foundation, I couldn’t have opened a business bank account, taken out a small startup loan, or signed contracts with suppliers.
InCorp.com didn’t just save me money—they saved me from a lot of mistakes. Their notifications, registered agent service, and compliance tracking ensure I don’t miss deadlines or risk fines. And for what it cost, it was a no-brainer. If you’re serious about starting a business, especially with limited capital, their best registered agent service is exactly what you need.
Advice to Aspiring Tech Entrepreneurs
There are thousands of garage-builders out there who dream about turning their hobby into a business. Here’s what I’ve learned from doing it myself:
- Start now, even if it’s small. You don’t need a warehouse. You need a bench and ambition.
- Form your business early. An LLC gives you protection, structure, and credibility.
- Prioritize quality over speed. Every build is a portfolio piece. Make it count.
- Treat customer service like a feature. People remember good experiences more than raw specs.
- Use systems to scale. Automate your admin work. Platforms like InCorp.com keep you compliant without distraction.
What’s Next for IronCore Customs?
We’re expanding into pre-built workstations for designers, architects, and video editors. I’ve also started working on a line of branded PC accessories—custom RGB fans, cable extensions, and airflow-optimized cases. I want IronCore to become a household name in the performance PC space.
But no matter how big this gets, I’ll never forget where it started: in a garage, with an idea, a screwdriver, and a dream. And the day I turned that dream into an official business with InCorp.com is the day everything changed.
If you’re out there wondering if your side hustle can be something more—it can. But you’ve got to make it official. File that LLC. Build your foundation. And go make your own legacy.