Biggest Gnome proves good example

Filed in archive Bootstrapper News on June 14, 2006

The story of three central Illinois teenagers who launched their own computer repair and networking service and Dell distributorship serves as an example of start-up focusing largely on the entrepreneur's expertise.

Cody Kretsinger, 18, Dustin Ellison, 18, and C.J. Jones, 17, graduates of Eisenhower High School, Decatur, used their combined experience working on computers to quickly expand beyond just sales with their company The Biggest Gnome.

In true bootstrapping fashion, they avoided frills in favor of necessities.

"We don't have many general expenses like a storefront, electrical and other small extras we don't need. We operate out of a house that we pay minimal for, which we cover by insurance, and we pay for our Web site," Kretsinger told the Herald & Review of Decatur.

The company employs an estimated 10 support personnel trained by the owners following another bootstrapper's precept laid down by Seth Godin in The Bootstrapper's Bible.

I will leverage my skills to become the key to every department of my company,
yet realize that hiring experts can be the secret to my success.

The three young entrepreneurs also rely on the expertise of Jones' mother, a CPA, to help run their burgeoning enterprise.