Tech Support for the Elderly

My name’s Richard, and I’ve always been passionate about technology. I believe it has the potential to make people’s lives better in so many ways. I own Happy Grandma Senior Tech Support, where we specialise in helping older adults with technology. Whether it’s routers, modems, TVs, or computers, we’re here to help seniors navigate the tech world. What sets us apart is that we focus on providing patient, step-by-step support, and our goal is always to make technology less intimidating and more enjoyable.

It all started when my family and I gifted my grandma an iPad for Christmas. Her first reaction was, “Take it back!”. She was completely overwhelmed by it at first, but I knew that if I could just show her how to use it, she’d love it. Over time, I taught her the basics, and she began spending hours on Facebook and YouTube. Her smile when she mastered it was priceless. That experience made me realise how many seniors are missing out on the joys of technology because they find it too complicated or intimidating. That’s how Happy Grandma was born—because I wanted to give more seniors that same joy my grandma experienced.

For me, success isn’t about the money or the number of clients I have; it’s about the moments where technology truly enhances someone’s life. Success is when a senior can confidently use a smart speaker to turn on a light, or when they discover how to use accessibility features that make their day-to-day life easier. It’s seeing that collaboration between people and technology, and how it brings joy or improves their quality of life.

Entrepreneurs often think of success as financial growth, but in service-based businesses, particularly those aimed at improving people's lives, success can and should be measured by the impact you're making. If your product or service genuinely helps people, that impact is a form of success in itself.

One thing I would do differently is to invest more in advertising from the beginning. You can have the world’s best service, but if no one knows about it, you won’t get anywhere. Early on, I relied a lot on word of mouth, but that limited how fast I could grow. If I had focused more on reaching new audiences through online ads or local community marketing, I think the business would have scaled faster.

When starting a business, set aside a portion of your budget for marketing and advertising. Even with a tight budget, there are affordable and highly targeted options available, like social media ads or local sponsorships. Make sure people know who you are and what you offer—visibility is key to growth.

My main piece of advice is to start a business because you love what you do, not just for the money. If you’re in it for the money, you’ll burn out quickly. Building a business takes time, and often, it takes years to see significant financial returns. I’d also say to take it slow—don’t get into debt trying to rush things. Build up gradually. It might take longer, but it’s worth it in the end because you’ll have a solid foundation.

Before starting any business, ask yourself why you’re doing it. Is it because you’re passionate about solving a problem or delivering a service? Your “why” will carry you through the tough times. Additionally, avoid over-leveraging yourself financially—start small, test the market, and build sustainably.

You can connect with me via my Facebook page, Happy Grandma Senior Tech Support.