Turning Your Study Space Into Your Workspace: Behind the Scenes of Our On-Campus Business
Hello LinkedIn community! If this is your first FixMyTek blog read, welcome! If you’re returning after our blog about our journey as a student-founded business, you’ve come back for more—thank you for that!
Ever wondered what it’s like to study and run a business in the same space? Sounds like an adventure, right? Well, let us tell you—it really is… well most of the time! From navigating campus regulations (and sometimes dodging them) to balancing deadlines with repairs, it’s never a dull moment.
For this second blog, we wanted to crack up the fun factor. So, let’s dive into the delightful chaos of running a student-founded tech repair business right on campus! As you enjoy our behind-the-scenes shenanigans, you’ll discover we’re not just your average tech repair service.
Balancing assignments with the chaos of running a business?
While some of our team are graduates in the full-time grind, most of us are still students, trying to master the art of multitasking.
Being on campus at UoB and UWE allows us to connect with students like you every single day. We’re not just another faceless business; we’re here to support you when your laptop crashes right before a deadline. Talk about a lifesaver!
And while many businesses face typical challenges, we seem to attract a few extras!
But why On Campus tech repair?
The spark for FixMyTek ignited from our own struggles to find reliable tech repair in Bristol at the University of Bristol, coupled with our passion for entrepreneurship. Frustrated by the limited repair options available, we decided to create a service that’s accessible, affordable, and right when students need it—especially during those tech emergencies that seem to pop up during exam season. Everything we do revolves around the student experience and we’re committed to making tech repairs as seamless as possible!
The Real Deal on Working with Universities
Well, let’s get into on what it’s really like to work with universities.
First off, we need permissions! Yes, everyone’s favorite! You might catch yourself thinking, “I can’t wait to graduate and be done with all these rules.” Lucky for us, that day never came!
But honestly, we don’t mind too much. We understand that universities are centuries-old institutions, and with that comes a mountain of rules and responsibilities. And as proud members of Gen Z, we’re all about following those rules and practicing our patience… sort of.
Being part of a long-established institution has its perks, but it also comes with a unique pace—particularly when it comes to approvals. Sometimes, navigating the approval process can feel like a bit of a mystery. In fact, there are moments when we’re not even sure who to reach out to, and it seems even the university is stumped. While we don’t encounter obstacles too often (wink, wink), it’s somewhat reassuring to realize that accountability can be a shared mystery as well (if you know what we mean... shhh).
Overall this entire experience has been a long and educational journey for us. It took us four years to finally snag our own space at the University of Bristol (shoutout to the ASS Library —check out our space here!). We’re super proud of all the hard work that got us to this point and the help we have received along the way.
Pros? Working with Bristol students is a dream! We get to have loads of chats and meet fascinating people. Plus, collaborating with charities has been a rewarding bonus.
You guys are AMAZING!
We also have a ton of opportunities for collaboration with local businesses and have happily grown in a community alongside other amazing student startups, university institutes, such as the Careers and the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CFIE), who have been incredibly helpful in guiding us toward exciting ventures. There’s always something new to do together!
Recommended by LinkedIn
But as much “fun” we have on campus and love working with the student community, we’re also ready to more than ever ready expand our horizons beyond this market, making our way into collaborating with businesses like ours, sharing the same values of sustainability.
Sustainability in everything we do
We ensure all the tech repairs we do are highly sustainable. As a proud part of the University of Bristol and University of West of England tech repairs community, we understand that sustainability is crucial to students and professionals like us. That’s why we prioritize eco-friendly practices in every repair we undertake. We understand that many traditional tech repair processes may not be the most environmentally friendly, which is why we’re committed to doing things differently.
We believe in giving tech a second life and keeping as much e-waste out of landfills as possible. From reusing parts whenever we can to using sustainable materials in our repairs, our goal is to provide you with tech repair solutions that are both effective and environmentally responsible. We also engage in continuous learning about sustainable practices, which helps us educate our community about the importance of making conscious choices in tech repair. So, rest assured that when you choose FixMyTek, you’re not just getting a great repair—you’re also supporting a greener future! Stick around, and we’ll share more about how we keep it green and tech-savvy!
Now for the FUN PART: Some Stories from Our Team Members
We’ve had our fair share of memorable (and hilarious) moments at FixMyTek. Here are just a few that keep us laughing to this day:
Our COO once managed to water-damage his laptop in the middle of the library—while wearing a FixMyCrack t-shirt. Yes, you read that right! The irony wasn’t lost on us!
Then there’s the story of one of our dedicated technicians who fixed someone’s phone at a bus stop because the student wasn’t allowed into their accommodation due to COVID rules. Now that’s what we call dedication!
There was also the time we faced a bit of a water damage situation where we’re based at the University of Bristol. We ended up moving around the campus—from the Senate House to various libraries—trying to find a suitable spot to work. Funny enough, students needing tech repairs were chasing us down along the way! (We are sorry, guys)
And lastly, our Front of House Manager sprinted up and down ten flights of stairs, mid-meeting, nearly hyperventilating, just to talk to someone about an iPhone 14 screen repair. Apparently, we were all there for moral support. Dedication—or cardio? You decide!
At last, thanks for hanging out with us today! We hope you enjoyed our blog and found it as entertaining as we do. Remember, FixMyTek isn’t just your go-to for tech repairs; we’re your reliable support on campus, ready to help you navigate those tech troubles while keeping it fun and sustainable!
Sign up below for more stories, and tips from your favorite student-run tech repair business in Bristol. You can also follow us on Instagram, Until next time, stay tech-savvy and maybe keep your drinks a safe distance from your gadgets!