Amanda Riehl

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   While most upperclassmen are preparing for their SATs and college, senior Justin Bowman and junior Brett Smith have also taken on the task of starting their own business, Elite Super System.
   Bowman had the first thoughts about creating a business, Elite Entertainment, in early 2011; the services and products, though, were limited to video games because that’s all he wanted to do.
   “The business for me was to produce video games and sell,” Bowman said. “Basically, [the business] was just a way to hold rights for the [games].”
   Bowman learned how to work with games and improve computers four or five years ago when he got a gaming computer for $600. According to him, the computer was complete junk and he had to spend a large amount of time working on it to make it better. Slowly but surely, he fixed it and became more interested and knowledgeable about technology.
   Smith became a partner of Bowman’s in the summer of 2012 after becoming friends with him.
   “Once we both found we have a passion for computers, we started working together,” Smith said.
   At this point still, they needed to put a legitimate business together. Interestingly enough, they received little help from outsiders; however, Bowman noted that he talked to Mrs. Jorgensen and Miss Finoli for advice and Smith said that he learned how to run a business by watching his successful father, who also created his own business. Not everyone was as helpful though; they didn’t believe a teenager could start a business.
   “People told me it was a lost cause,” Bowman said.
   Afterward, the two persevered and began offering more products and services, from advanced programming to computer and mobile phone repair, to music production and web design. The boys both contribute heavily to the business; however, neither is involved with every aspect. Smith is more in charge of the iPhone and Android repair while Bowman alone works on the advanced programming. Both work on computer repairs.
   Since Elite Super System is centered around technology, the equipment used to create products and provide services is essential and undoubtedly one of the most important parts for the business. The programs need to be top notch and the tools used to create and/or fix products need to be up to date.
   “I only use the best,” Bowman said. “If I didn’t use it for myself, I wouldn’t put it in someone’s computer.”
       Other than the equipment used, Smith noted that it is just as important for whoever is using it to be up to date as well with what they are working on.
   “I did have to brush up on everything I know, making sure my information was correct to give to a customer,” Smith said.
   Smith did this just through reviewing what he already knew on his own time.
   Without the technology that they use, Bowman and Smith would not be able to run their business. However, it is the technology that causes them some problems.
   “Sometimes, that’s all the challenge,” Bowman said. “You know the problem, and then it requires a few hours to figure the thing out.”
   Troubleshooting is usually how they figure out these technological problems. As for Bowman, he learned a great deal of his computer fixing skills from subscribing to technology sites online.
   Smith echoed the same sentiments, saying that technology can be tricky; it doesn’t always work.
   “Technology is a hate and love relationship,” Smith said. “It can be your best friend at times and your worst nightmare other times. That’s the world of technology.”
   Other obstacles the two have faced have been the money factor and finding talented workers. They are currently looking for two more people to repair iPhones and so far, they have not found someone qualified to do the job. 
   In the future, Bowman noted that he is looking forward to expanding from just fixing computers and working with audio production. The partners are also looking forward to getting a storefront, maybe an office in Greensburg. They want a physical location and to actually employ people. This could be very beneficial, seeing that they already have many customers, most of whom are students and teenagers.
   “I can’t even keep up with it,” Smith said.
   Bowman also commented that the client list has been impressive.
   “It’s a good bit,” Bowman said. “It makes enough money to keep going and then some.”
   One thing that most of these customers are looking for is a custom addition to their iPhone, such as color, which can run about $50. In fact, this is one of Smith’s favorite types of orders to work on. He enjoys seeing the first reaction when someone gets their product. Bowman, on the other hand, enjoys fixing computers most.
   “My favorite is troubleshooting hardware problems,” Bowman said.
   Another aspect of the business is the audio and music video production. So far, Elite Super System has produced Zach Pellis and will be producing Chris Shaffer, both of whom will receive full rights to their songs. This is another part of the business that Smith likes doing.
   “I really like recording music videos; they’re fun and people like them,” Smith said.
   It’s not difficult for a customer, no matter what service or product they want, to find this business and place an order. The boys use the technology, especially the internet, to their full advantage.
   “That’s where the customers are, [it is] easier to reach out to them that way,” Smith said.
   Part of reaching out to customers online is having numerous sites where they can gain information and get a feel for what Elite Super System is about.
   The business’s two Facebook pages, Elite Super System and Elite Game Design, have proven to be helpful to the company; Bowman ran reports and has seen more and more people are discovering their business through the Facebook page. In fact, some people from other countries have viewed it and even Value Cooperation, a game developer.
   For anyone who is looking to start their own business, the boys have a few key suggestions.
   “You have to be passionate,” Smith said. “And you have to know what you’re talking about.”
   Bowman feels the same way, and he added another piece of advice.
   “Have a lot of experience yourself in it,” he said. “You want to devote a lot of time to what you’re doing. Also, in the beginning, save money.”
   Bowman and Smith plan to continue this business after they leave high school. Bowman is planning to attend St. Vincent College in Latrobe, where he explained there is a small business association that he can work with to continue his business. All the same, Smith cited it is a well-structured business that should continue and he uses the group’s slogan to explain his thoughts for the future.
   “It’s the universal company that’s ever expanding,” he said. “We’ll always be adapting to work in the future.”