February 13, 2017

Meet Vahe Shahoian of Consulting Empires in Burbank

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vahe Shahoian.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Vahe. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always been into Information Technology; ever since I was a little child. In 2008, just after the crash, I found myself unemployed and broke. During this time, a good friend asked me if I knew anyone who designed websites for their brother’s new company.

Without hesitation, I shouted “I do! I make websites”

I knew nothing about website design at the time, but I had already taken the deposit. I forced myself to learn. I began developing very basic HTML sites, which turned into developing WordPress sites. Through word of mouth, I began to grow my business and started providing IT services for small businesses in the area. I supported anything from building new computers, to deploying full office setups including servers and networking configurations.

Today, I provide full IT services for many offices in the Glendale/Burbank area and have deployed over 50 websites personally. It’s still an infant business, but I have high hopes for the future.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Finding the time to focus on your own business while attending classes and working full time, and being a newly-wed definitely has its challenges.

Each one of those commitments requires full attention and time management became an issue. I couldn’t have done any of it without the support of my beautiful wife.

I remember during Mother’s Day, just before my wedding, I was working on a client’s website that had just launched. I got a call right in the middle of dinner from the owner of the website stating that all services were down and that they were losing thousands of dollars!

I had to step away and find a way to fix the site immediately. I ended up using my phone to log in remotely to my computer at home, to then access the resources I needed to bring the website back up. Things like that happen every time. No project is without it’s challenges, but maneuvering these challenges has definitely gotten easier.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Consulting Empires – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company will provide any service you need with regards to IT or web design. If I can’t do it, I will onboard someone on my team who can. I never say no to a job or a project. Currently, we deploy new machines to offices, we service the machines, deploy servers, networks, email systems, and anything else in between with on-demand services such as repair/replace. I also provide a web design service to help get company websites online and get the visibility businesses deserve and need.

I’m most proud of my inability to say no. There is no task that I’m unwilling to take on and see to completion. Coming to me will guarantee a solution, even if I’m not the one to provide it.

What sets me apart from others is that I come from a customer service background. It’s not you vs. me. When I’m hired, I become part of your team and it’s you and me vs. your issues/needs. I personally see every process to completion and nothing falls through the cracks.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the future, I plan on providing outsourced IT services to as many offices in the Los Angeles area as possible. I know small businesses can’t afford a full-time IT person, so for many, outsourcing is the way to go. It’s not an area that’s explored until it’s necessary for the business, but unfortunately, at that point, it’s an emergency situation. I hope to provide proactive solutions so that businesses see continuity in their day to day work without having to worry about their technology keeping up. Computers are tools meant to be used, not obstacles that get in the way.

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