Spotlight: Spitzer Technology Consulting
Founded by David Spitzer in 2016, Spitzer Technology Consulting is based in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland and provides IT consultations, implementation, maintenance, and on-going support for clients all along the West Coast. David’s background is creative, fast-paced IT triage and the highest levels of corporate support. When he opened Spitzer Tech, his goal was to build a shop where small businesses and nonprofits could access enterprise-level support.
“Our company is the response to a culture of impersonal and oversized IT support. Our nimble team of engineers offer clients real-time, real human business support. Each of the businesses and organizations we support are seen as the unique entity they are, deserving of custom crafted solutions, affordable options, attention to detail, and high-quality service,” said Olivia Spitzer, who’s in charge of business development at Spitzer Tech. Below, the husband-and-wife team shared about their business journey.
How did you start the company?
David: I'd say Spitzer Tech was born out of anger. I was doing consultant work for a couple of different companies. I realized that I was unhappy with how I was being told to operate and to interact with people and so on. So one day I decided - I’m done. I cannot behave in that manner anymore.
When I went home, I told Olivia I quit my job but it's cool because that thing I've been doing on the side, the website building, would be my whole focus and it's all going to work out.
It started with me in the smallest room in our townhouse and that room grew into a little bit of the garage and then the entire garage. With a little bit of capital we had, a personal loan and winning one of our largest contracts, we were able to establish our original office in the Parkrose Business Center. Now with our latest expansion, we shouldn't have to worry about moving for at least another 5 to 6 years.
What do you think you've done right to support this growth?
David: What I’m most proud of is that I know every one of our clients personally. We know each other's kids' names. I know what drinks or snacks to bring to them when we visit their office. When it comes to working with the clients, we take a holistic approach. It’s not just one computer or one software. We take the time to understand what the client needs in their business. It creates more manual assessment from our side. We can't automate a lot of our processes because we take the time for each client to determine what they actually need.
Olivia: We treat people like people and not just like numbers on the paper or problems. I’ve heard over and over again from our customers that working with David and our team was empowering. One of them said to me: “I can't be good at everything. I'm good with my business offering and I work with professionals who are good in other aspects. I don't need to be treated like an idiot when I call with a problem.”
This industry has a reputation for being condescending and we're definitely not.
Can you tell us about the classes you offer?
Olivia: We offer two types of classes to businesses via various business associations or chambers of commerce. They are high-level tech basics for small businesses. One of them is called Tech is for Everyone. It covers topics such as what a website does or doesn’t do for your business, how to share files with your employees, what to consider while investing in hardware or software for your business. The upcoming series will be offered through the Tech Hub at the Rosewood Initiative, held at 4pm on April 17, May 14, and June 11.
David: The second class is on cybersecurity, which covers how to protect your business from the twelve most common attacks. With cyberattacks, it’s not a matter of IF it happens but WHEN it happens. It’s important for the businesses to learn how you react and how you learn from it.
Olivia: Additionally, we are planning a class on Artificial Intelligence (AI). There are a lot of classes now for small business owners on how to use new AI tools. Ours is going to be a little different. We are hoping to go back to the basics and cover topics such as what it is, can I use it safely, what should I be looking out for.
David: AI is here to stay. It’s important that you know when to use it, how to deploy it with intention and in a way that protects your business and your personal information.
Olivia: If businesses would like to learn our future class schedules, they can follow our social media updates. If they are interested in having us come to the organizations and do a lunch and learn type of event, they could email info@spitzertech.net.
What role does community play in your business?
Olivia: The community that we are part of, those word-of-mouth referrals, is what has got us to this point. For small business owners, IT is like taking your car to the mechanic. You have to trust them that their pricing is fair and they know what they're doing. The fact that people have been vulnerable with us, the fact that people have trusted us, is what has got us here.
Additionally, we believe all boats rise with the tide. Our business is located north of Sandy Boulevard in the Parkrose neighborhood and we live south of Sandy. I'm currently involved in the efforts to get an enhanced service district off the ground in the Parkrose. If this neighborhood gets better, Spitzer Tech is only going to get better. As a service provider to other businesses, we can't exist without the community.
