Fallbrook resident creates computer business to help those in need during the pandemic

Lifelong Bonsall and Fallbrook resident Zachary Strain found a way to turn the pandemic around for himself and his wife.

"I spent a couple years in Saudi Arabia, my wife could only tolerate so many years of that," Strain said. "I decided it was time to come back, maybe find a job related to my degree."

It was shortly after the pandemic hit.

"Computers have always been my hobby, taking apart computers and troubleshooting problems, hooking up equipment, I've always enjoyed doing it so it's always been a hobby of mine," Strain said.

"I spend way too many hours on the computer than I probably should, but I thought to myself, there's got to be a ton of people who are working from home that need computer help or need upgrades or need equipment installed," he added, since many are home due to the pandemic.

Since starting the business, which he calls Zachary Strain I.T., his calls stem from a variety of reasons.

"From elderly couples who need their television sets setup and hooked up and logged into Netflix, to more advanced stuff of people asking for recommendations for new computer builds, where I'll help them order parts and put it together, or upgrade their systems," Strain said. "Then some people want to be shown how to do certain things, so I kind of give them lessons a little bit, spend time with them to familiarize them with whatever it is they're looking to learn."

Strain added that some need their systems cleaned as well of malware viruses.

"I would say it's a more personalized experience really, because it's kind of one-on-one with me rather than some corporate entity just sending a guy to do the job," Strain said.

For Strain, having his own business is an unexplored world.

"I'm so used to just being in the military, taking orders, or getting hired on for a contract and just working that contract for whoever," Strain said. "The world of making contacts and creating new business is really just an unfamiliar world for me."

Strain really enjoys it, however.

"Sometimes you run into something that's a real pain, and figuring that out is part of the fun," he said. "I've always kind of been, I would say a people person, I've always enjoyed talking with people, they energize me and I think I energize them, despite being an introverted computer user."

Safety is one of Strain's top priorities.

"I show up with my mask, I've got wipe downs if needed for people's keyboards...I'm coming into people's homes," he said. "I'm trying to make them as comfortable as possible. Nobody wants to feel like they're in danger trying to get help. I've always tried to be as respectful as possible to whatever their needs are."

Contact Strain at [email protected], or by phone at 760-505-6655 for help with computer needs.

"I'm a local resident, I'll take the necessary time to figure out what your problem is rather than just kind of push it out the door as quickly as possible to get to the next job," Strain said. "I think I really offer an amount of help that some people just wouldn't think possible, and it's nice to help people who do need it."

Lexington Howe can be reached by email at [email protected].