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CBIA BizCast: Growing The Computer Company
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For The Computer Company president Kevin Barros, a career in IT was something of an accident.
“I kind of started off individually on my own, just kind of doing a little bit of side work, make a few extra bucks on the weekends and nights,” he told the CBIA BizCast.
Barros said he always liked technology, but never thought he’d own a company.
“Slowly it kind of grew to one referral, to another referral.”
Solo Start
Barros launched the venture with name KBIT Group, before acquiring Shell Systems in 2018.
Through those early years, he was working by himself, while going to school.
“I was still getting my masters and my bachelor's as well as the full-time job at the time,” he said.
“So it was very difficult, a lot of hours, a lot of white hairs, but it was all worth it in the end.”
In 2020, Barros realized that he needed help to keep up with the demand and acquired The Computer Company.
Supporting Businesses
The company offers IT services for small and medium businesses, education institutions, and government entities.
Those services include helpdesk support, networking, development and website design, and cybersecurity.
The company also has data centers in Cromwell, and Las Vegas to help ensure disaster recovery capabilities.
“Everyone has their own unique challenges,” Barros said. “But at the end of the day, the goal is the same.”
“People want to be up, they want IT to work, they want it to be productive, and of course, they want it to be secure.”
Barros said cybersecurity is becoming a bigger concern for companies, especially small businesses.
“Even large companies have breaches,” he said. “But those can weather the storm, they can weather that breach and they could weather the bad publicity for a little bit.”
“But the smaller guys don't have that luxury as much. They don't have the financial backing. So the impact is much greater for those smaller ones for sure.”
‘Team Is Everything’
Since Barros acquired The Computer Company,the business has grown from 12-13 employees to nearly 40.
He credits that team for the company’s success and growth, adding that seeing his employees thrive is one of his favorite parts of his job.
“The team is everything to us,” he said. “The company is not just me, it’s them.”
“I like seeing them when they're on the phone and helping somebody out.
“I love seeing when they kind of get really excited about tech and saying, ‘Hey, I figured this out.’”
Barros says part of the company’s culture is to continuously grow their skills as a team.
That includes taking part in a weekly training, focusing on a different topic, like new AI software, or technology upgrades.
“We pick a topic, we just stay focused on that,” Barros said. “But we try to become pros at that topic together a little bit, and struggle with it together.”
Overcoming Challenges
Barros highlighted the challenges of keeping quality talent in Connecticut, with many moving to states with lower tax brackets or better weather.
He also noted the high costs of electricity and fiber in Connecticut, compared with other states.
But, Barros said that as a Connecticut native, he’s committed to growing the business here.
“This is my backyard,” he said. “I have this push to stay here even if there are some struggles.”
Barros said growing the business is all about taking risks, and knowing that you aren’t always going to get a return on it.
‘More than Money’
But he was encouraged by a family member to take the leap and grow the business.
“He was kind of like, ‘Listen, you can do this,’” Barros said. “‘Yeah, it's gonna be stressful. Yeah, you're gonna hate it some days. But you gotta just do it.’”
“And I really appreciated that.”
Barros said that as he grew the business, he realized that acquiring companies is about a lot more than money.
“You have to also think about that old business owner,” he said. “It’s kind of their baby.”
He said that they want to know that their clients and employees will be taken care of.
“It’s trying to show or build that trust with them to kind of say, ‘Hey, don't don't worry about it, I got it, we can take it to the next level.’”
As for what that next level is for Barros and The Computer Company?
He said they’re looking for additional acquisitions and bringing on more employees.
“40 is cool. Four hundred would be better,” he said.
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“I kind of started off individually on my own, just kind of doing a little bit of side work, make a few extra bucks on the weekends and nights,” he told the CBIA BizCast.
Barros said he always liked technology, but never thought he’d own a company.
“Slowly it kind of grew to one referral, to another referral.”
Solo Start
Barros launched the venture with name KBIT Group, before acquiring Shell Systems in 2018.
Through those early years, he was working by himself, while going to school.
“I was still getting my masters and my bachelor's as well as the full-time job at the time,” he said.
“So it was very difficult, a lot of hours, a lot of white hairs, but it was all worth it in the end.”
In 2020, Barros realized that he needed help to keep up with the demand and acquired The Computer Company.
Supporting Businesses
The company offers IT services for small and medium businesses, education institutions, and government entities.
Those services include helpdesk support, networking, development and website design, and cybersecurity.
The company also has data centers in Cromwell, and Las Vegas to help ensure disaster recovery capabilities.
“Everyone has their own unique challenges,” Barros said. “But at the end of the day, the goal is the same.”
“People want to be up, they want IT to work, they want it to be productive, and of course, they want it to be secure.”
Barros said cybersecurity is becoming a bigger concern for companies, especially small businesses.
“Even large companies have breaches,” he said. “But those can weather the storm, they can weather that breach and they could weather the bad publicity for a little bit.”
“But the smaller guys don't have that luxury as much. They don't have the financial backing. So the impact is much greater for those smaller ones for sure.”
‘Team Is Everything’
Since Barros acquired The Computer Company,the business has grown from 12-13 employees to nearly 40.
He credits that team for the company’s success and growth, adding that seeing his employees thrive is one of his favorite parts of his job.
“The team is everything to us,” he said. “The company is not just me, it’s them.”
“I like seeing them when they're on the phone and helping somebody out.
“I love seeing when they kind of get really excited about tech and saying, ‘Hey, I figured this out.’”
Barros says part of the company’s culture is to continuously grow their skills as a team.
That includes taking part in a weekly training, focusing on a different topic, like new AI software, or technology upgrades.
“We pick a topic, we just stay focused on that,” Barros said. “But we try to become pros at that topic together a little bit, and struggle with it together.”
Overcoming Challenges
Barros highlighted the challenges of keeping quality talent in Connecticut, with many moving to states with lower tax brackets or better weather.
He also noted the high costs of electricity and fiber in Connecticut, compared with other states.
But, Barros said that as a Connecticut native, he’s committed to growing the business here.
“This is my backyard,” he said. “I have this push to stay here even if there are some struggles.”
Barros said growing the business is all about taking risks, and knowing that you aren’t always going to get a return on it.
‘More than Money’
But he was encouraged by a family member to take the leap and grow the business.
“He was kind of like, ‘Listen, you can do this,’” Barros said. “‘Yeah, it's gonna be stressful. Yeah, you're gonna hate it some days. But you gotta just do it.’”
“And I really appreciated that.”
Barros said that as he grew the business, he realized that acquiring companies is about a lot more than money.
“You have to also think about that old business owner,” he said. “It’s kind of their baby.”
He said that they want to know that their clients and employees will be taken care of.
“It’s trying to show or build that trust with them to kind of say, ‘Hey, don't don't worry about it, I got it, we can take it to the next level.’”
As for what that next level is for Barros and The Computer Company?
He said they’re looking for additional acquisitions and bringing on more employees.
“40 is cool. Four hundred would be better,” he said.
Related Links:
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