| Gillian Shaw |
| Vancouver Sun |
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
|
Mirek Havelka and Georgina Kwei have already lived out their dream of working and traveling in Europe.
Today the young couple is busy with a new dream -- a small business start-up that has seen them open a computer and accessories shop that is replacing the concept of computer supermarket shopping with a boutique centred on style and personalized service.
"It was like moving to Europe, we knew if we didn't do it now, we might never do it," Kwei said of their decision to sink $30,000 in savings into launching their new business instead of spending it on a house. "Life changes and you may not have the chance again."
Originally geared to women, Kube Computers is finding men are coming through the door as well, drawn by a selection of laptop bags that easily outclasses the old black nylon versions. They also custom-build computers that cater to specialized needs -- from family use, to hard core gaming to businesses.
The store also sells laptops, with shoppers able to sit down in the comfortable red leather couch and spill out their computer needs to Havelka whose approach is more of a counselor and educator than a salesman hawking merchandise.
Havelka, a computer hardware specialist runs the store. Kwei, a technical project manager with game maker Radical Entertainment, still works full time at that job. She helps out in the evenings and on weekends.
"This is something that really motivates me," said Havelka of his passion for computers that had an early start with the help of an influential elementary school teacher. "It is nice to see the dream coming together."
Most surprisingly, the newly launched business has been able to stay afloat in its chic quarters on Cambie Street at West 13th Avenue, amid a sea of construction that is engulfing retailers in the area.
They have already survived the gaping hole that was dug down the middle of the street in front of their store. While the construction is still going on, they are looking forward to the day when shoppers in the area, known for its neighborliness and loyalty to local merchants, will once again stroll unimpeded down Cambie Street.
"We knew it would be a write-off," Havelka said of their start up expectations. "The first year you expect losses, the second you don't really expect to make money and by the third year you hope to be making money.
"You have to expect the worst and hope for the best."
The couple has been pleasantly surprised at the bottom line so far. While they expected the new store to be a cash drain for a least a year, it is already starting to cover costs. They're buying more stock as the dollars come in, however, so it would be too optimistic to say the business has a positive cash flow.
Havelka, who already had his own small business building computers for clients, was driven to expand his work into a store by what he saw as a need in the marketplace for service and customized solutions at good prices.
"My alternatives were always better and cheaper computers," he said.
The service plus a wide selection of laptop bags along with some other useful accessories have proven to be a bigger draw for customers than the couple expected. They thought it would be mostly about selling desktop and laptop computers.
"I think one of the big surprises for us was how much demand there is for service," said Kwei.
The business is currently split with about 40 per cent of customers coming from laptop bags and the other 60 per cent shared equally between hardware and service.
"You have to create a niche for yourself to survive in this market," said Havelka.
The learning curve is still very steep for the couple, but Havelka prepared for the launch of the business by taking the B.C. Institute of Technology's venture program.
Then he put a new coat of paint on the rented premises and installed new wood floors.
Now it's not work as much as a shared passion.
"It's something we both love so it's fun," said Kwei. "We are constantly discussing strategy -- even when we go to bed at night we are still talking about it. We can't let it go."
Kube Computers is on the Web at www.kubecomputers.com
gshaw@png.canwest.com