Why I sold my company | The TechnoBuffalo Truth

#OuraRingContributor

I've shared the story of how I almost fell for an Apple scam and how Apple blacklisted me, but today I am sharing the story of TechnoBuffalo. If you are new here, you might not know that I used to run a technology website in addition to this YouTube channel, both of which went by the name "TechnoBuffalo." Running TechnoBuffalo included some of the best days of my life and some of the worst. Let me explain!

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[jonlakers]

I'm getting kind of chocked up reading the comments here. Thank you guys.

[StetsonDoggett]

Fascinating story, Jon. Thank you for taking the time to share. I remember watching your content in the 2010-2016 era as a Jr High and High School student. As a viewer, I couldn’t tell any of the struggles you were going through. None of that came through to me on camera. Your behind-the-scenes story here really shows the grit, persistence, and hardships that went in to building the TechnoBuffalo brand. I am particularly grateful you took the time to share how your time was split between the website and YouTube, and how you wish you had managed your time & priorities differently. I currently have a YouTube channel and Website as a single creator, and I feel I am struggling with similar decisions. So your story was helpful to me. I am sorry for the struggles you went through, and I am glad you feel you have found your voice, your confidence, and your passion again. Cheers.

[TheJediRevan]

I have been watching you since the Jon4Lakers days. I’m so happy you’ve found your bliss and I wish you continued success!

[hellokyle_]

Yourself, Michael Fischer, Noah, Aaron Baker, Brandon Miniman, and Lisa from Mobiletechreview are the OG's and will alway be the best. Some may not be in the tech space anymore but throughout you all always stayed true. Some newer reviewers in the last 5+ years have grown so much so quickly that their videos seem like marketing more for the product than an actual review.

[matthewsjardine]

TechnoBuffalo got me into tech. I am eternally greatful for that. Now, I work in IT with a mission to become an InfoSec Professional doing incident response. Thank you Jon.

I had no idea the extent of the challenges you faced. These tell all videos have been tremendously informative. I am sorry the road has been tough, and delighted to hear that you are happy now.

[eduardoarana]

I have a weird nostalgia for TechnoBuffalo, but more for Jon4Lakers. I remember being very interested in a phone sold by AT&T, it was basically a sidekick knock off. I was about 11 at the time, and even though I don’t remember what the phone was even called, I definitely remember the video. It was one of the first tech videos I saw, and first videos I saw in YouTube period, along with a video about NetBooks by TigerDirect. I remember every part of your video. Weird how time flies. Thanks for your time.

[BigMacWitCheez]

I was here during the Jon4Lakers days!!! Proud of you my brother!!!

[D_Roadtrip_Productions]

Jon - i used to be droadtrip. I don't blame you for not remembering, but we were like kids back in 2005/2009 making simple at-home videos and Jon4lakers commented to my videos on occasion. You went on with enviable business ventures. I lost my job in '09 and slowly had to re-invent my business career ever since. What i am trying to say is i appreciate you.

[taufiknobo]

Back in 2008-2010 there’s only two tech website and channel I watch.. one of it is yours.. I won’t be doing what I’m doing right now (reviewing tech) without having you and your work in my life

Thank you and keep having fun!

[andrewballas]

Hey Jon, you may not even see this. But just wanted to share your early videos are what got me into tech or at least had some sort of impact. Crazy to think I was watching when TechnoBuffalo started. Since then I’ve now recently graduated with a degree in software engineering. Wild how little things can have such a massive impact and may not even know it. Pretty darn cool
-Andrew

[ChrisFlex]

As an original follower, your journey has been a ride but you’ve accomplished a lot. One of the Originals. You deserve a movie 1 day (seriously)! Keep it up and we’re all here supporting you!💪🏼🙌🏼

[lancebranchman]

It’s crazy because I never knew you sold the company

[MilesSomerville]

Huge respect to you for being able to open up like this. Hope to see you & the crew again soon!

[tasosjw]

Dear Jon, thank you for sharing your story. I recently quit my job, because I got burnt out. I am starting something on my own and this video helped me realise how to handle some the things I am afraid of. I hope the best for you.

[chargerman]

Great video and probably one of your best. Twenty three years ago I sold my business in sales that myself and a friend of mine started. After eight years I was miserable and hated going to work. People think that if you have a business you are very wealthy but they don’t see the costs. I was so happy when another competitor company came in and asked if I wanted to sell. My partner had left a year prior and I said yes. They wanted me to stay 6 months and I said no but agreed to stay a month and was longest month of my life. I was in my forties and went into Law Enforcement and still there although now am in Administration and have a regular job Monday through Friday plus have retirement when I get ready to do so which may not me too much longer. Make pretty good money these days. Been very happy since and that is what is most important. I am older now but love tech and have since I was young. Love YouTube and thought about doing a channel someday. Thanks again.

[vaughnparkes]

I don't think you meant to say you weren't a good person, because you generally possess the qualities of what makes a person good. You may not have been a good boss, but you were a good leader.

I have been watching TechnoBuffalo on YouTube since the brand has become a thing back in the day.

Thank you for your work.

[yyouthcanoee]

Jon, I've been watching since your iPhone 3G videos (when I got mine). I instantly followed Jon4Lakers and have been following your content ever since. When Technobuffalo launched I was on it seriously every day until you sold it. I went on it the other day and it is completely unrecognizable & sad to see. Just wanted to say you are the first tech channel I followed and is the one that got me into to tech in general and thank you for all the content you've made over all these years.

[tree_fingers]

The most interesting thing I notice from your story is that you seem to have started out with a staff to run the website almost right away and eventually went back to making videos by yourself (or maybe you have a small staff now, not sure), whereas most (all?) of the other big tech youtubers did it the opposite way, making videos on their own and eventually growing it into a bigger business. Like you said though, it was at the time of this transition from websites to video and I think you were a result of this transitionary time. No judgements either way, it's just great to see that you have made it out to the otherside and seem to be thriving.

[Gary]

Interesting story John. Amazing how relaxed you look doing the first solo video as John, compared to your last video on TechnoBuffalo where you look really stressed.

[erubbey]

Nice video man. I liked very much the TechnoBuffalo era but now your content is way better and this video (and story) is somehow inspiring.
A big hug from Panama!