Donald Bowen, owner of Cyber Circuit Computers. - contributed

After three years of teaching, 24-year-old Donald Bowen realised that his true calling was in the field of business.

While studying education at the Northern Caribbean University, Bowen realised that he had a special love for computers. "I had no intention of doing anything related to computers, but I just realised that I had a thing for them", he said.

Along with two friends who had a similar love for computers, he came up with the idea for a computer-based business that would repair, service and sell computers.

Sole proprietor

They all felt that combining their individual knowledge, would make them a powerful force. As fate would have it however, his friends found other courses in life, and he is now the sole proprietor of Cyber Circuit Computers, a business located at George Kirby Plaza, in Christiana, Manchester. "It just never worked out that way", he said, "but I'm continuing the dream and maybe in the future we'll come together."

The business, according to Bowen, "has been operating unofficially for about two years, but it has been official for about a year." The business repairs, services, upgrades, builds and customises computers. Bowen employs one other individual on a full time basis, but says he plans to employ more. "People are even applying for jobs", he said.

Word of mouth promotion

Interestingly, he admits that he had never really been around computers until the year 2000.

Today however, many crave his expert advice and service. Bowen's business started from home when he developed software and wrote programmes. He said, "People called me to work on their machines, then they told their friends. That kind of word of mouth promotion really boosted the business."

He says being in business "is incredible" and added, "I don't know if it's because of my approach, but even when the going gets tough and the bank is calling, it's still good. I'm still able to meet my payment deadlines." He told the STAR that he had no official start-up capital, but mentioned that friends and family members helped him get off the ground.

Bowen wants his company to become a "Fortune 500 computer enterprise" and says he is planning to do more technical support and to start doing more visits with clients.

He said, "We're working on making it cheaper for us to go to customers rather than have them go to someone else." He is fascinated with all he has learnt about business and said, "you never fully understand business until you've started one." He said he has learnt how to make well informed decisions and knows how one thing will affect another.

Service is the key in his eyes and he thinks that in order to be successful, entrepreneurs need to have a good relationship with employees and clients.

His advice to young individuals is "never take no for an answer, and always find a way to do what you want to get done - as long as it's legal. If you need to walk to a location or beg help - get it done."