March 14, 2017

Meet Matt Kinzelberg of Kinzelberg Consulting in Los Angeles

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Kinzelberg.

Matt, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started in Kindergarten when I would fix computers around the classroom and teachers were amazed at my unique ability to fix problems that students and teachers were having. Fast forward to 2008 when I graduated from Pitzer College. I took a job with the Dodgers as a ticket sales account executive and stayed with them for 3 plus years and then decided it was time to jump out on my own recognizing that the internet was creating opportunities that were not possible less than a decade ago. I started my consulting practice by using my own knowledge that I learned over the years about fixing and helping individuals and businesses solve their technology problems. Unfortunately, I didn’t have clientele when I started so I had to start from zero. I did everything….cold calling, networking events, went door to door, digital marketing, partnering up with companies in the same space, joined a co-working space. When you are one-man band, it’s all on your shoulders so it’s definitely a hustle and grind. You throw a lot of spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. My competition is very tough as well…I’m going against Apple, Geek Squad, MSP’s (Managed Service Providers), so I’m a little fish in a big pond. I used to go to businesses and homes to help with their problems, but now I login to their computer from my location. Clients love it because they get served quicker and I love it because I can work from anywhere.

Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road at all. I consider myself a digital plumber. If your computer and technology is working, I don’t get called. Once something goes wrong, I am the first one on my clients’ minds. As I mentioned, my competition is fierce, has more marketing dollars and bodies than I do as a one-man band. Since I am self-employed, I rely on only my clients for a source of income and I charge an hourly rate. It’s a low risk, low reward business. I’ve gone weeks without getting paid. I’ve been burned by some folks who I hired who said they could help me and never did. When I started I was working 10-12 hours a day figuring out all of the details on how this was going to work. I was driving down to Laguna Beach 3 days a week understanding my clients and what they needed and how I could help them.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Kinzelberg Consulting – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a computer/IT/Technology consultant for small businesses. Small firms such as law or accounting firms don’t need to hire a full time IT guy but they need someone they can rely on with their technology. I’m that guy. I do everything remotely now so I can help clients out quickly by logging into their machine. I’m certified by Microsoft and Apple and have over 15 years of hands on experience. I work on everything from software and hardware to repair and consultation to wired and wireless networking, backup systems and consultation on new purchase equipment. What sets me a part is it is just me. You get my direct email and phone number. There’s no transferring around to multiple departments or talking to someone who doesn’t speak clear English. I’m proud that I’ve been able to grow this business simply from an idea that I had and going out and executing on it. I have a 4.9 star rating across all of the big platforms…..Yelp, Google, Facebook and AngiesList.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the weather obviously. There’s nothing like it. The people here are extremely easy going which I love too. Not a fan of traffic. That’s why I try to walk everywhere.

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