To Nick Olson, it's about more than just fixing computers. It's about giving back to the community, honoring someone that he loved and working to ensure that everybody has access to technology GÇô no matter what their financial situation might be.
At Olson Tech (403 W. Stevens Ave. Suite No. 1), near downtown Sultan, Olson works to provide a comprehensive level of technology services. The 26-year-old offers cloud backup, sales, networking, data backup, wireless configuration, training classes, upgrades and website design. He repairs all types of electronic devices, including PC and MAC computers, laptops, tablets and iPhones. He also offers residential services, home-networking configuration, security and other custom IT solutions.
"If I don't know how to do it, I'll figure out how to do it,GÇ¥ Olson said. "The day I quit learning is the day I shut this place down.GÇ¥
Focusing on technology, charity
And that day won't be coming anytime soon. Olson just retired after 10 years at Les Schwab in Monroe so that he could focus his efforts on growing and maintaining his business. Open in Sultan since June 2014, he recently expanded, moving to a larger space in the same building.
Since opening his doors, Olson has worked to develop relationships in the Sky Valley community, including both Sultan and Monroe. He has worked with the school districts and the Sultan Education Foundation to help ensure that all kids who need computers have access to them.
He is committed to working with families who are undergoing financial hardship and will take old computers, refurbish them and provide them to families in need.
"If there's someone who is struggling or doesn't have a computer, let me know,GÇ¥ Olson said. "That's what we do.GÇ¥
Last winter, Olson engaged in his "Take Winter by StormGÇ¥ initiative, during which he sold raffle tickets in an effort to raise money to provide food and gifts to Sky Valley families in need. Each person who purchased a raffle ticket was automatically entered into a drawing to win a free Hewlett-Packard laptop, which Olson awarded right before Christmas.
Through his efforts, he was able to sponsor seven Snohomish County families, providing them with Christmas presents and helping to make their holidays a little bit brighter.
Life-changing events -á
While Olson is hopeful that his company will be a financial success, being of service is also a key aspect of his business model. This is due to a life-changing event that occurred in November 2010, when his fianc+¬e, Amy Louise Luft, passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident in Monroe.
"I woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning to 50 missed calls,GÇ¥ Olson said. "That was literally the worst day of my life.GÇ¥
Luft had a heart for helping those less fortunate than she was, particularly the disabled. Born in Bellevue, Luft grew up in Monroe, attended Monroe schools and graduated from Monroe High School in 2008. She enjoyed worked with disabled children, and would spend her summer breaks helping them learn to ride horses at a Snohomish nonprofit called EquiFriends. She hoped to obtain her pilot's license one day, and loved camping, music, travel and spending time with her friends.
She passed away on Nov. 22, 2010.
"A lot of the technology stuff that I do to give back now is because that's what she liked to do,GÇ¥ Olson said. "It kind of rubbed off on me, so it's more of something that we do for her.GÇ¥
For more information, call 1-800-409-9421, or visit-á www.facebook.com/OLSONTECH, or-á www.olsontechcomputers.com/home-1.html.-á
Olson Tech is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday through Sunday.-á
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