This is one episode of our FOCUS Coworking Members Showcase Videos. In this series, we interview our members to learn more about them and their entrepreneurial journey.
Damon Schopen has created and built up his company, Port Light Technology. This is a company that deals with web design, web development, and other E commerce projects. He works with a small team to assist other businesses, and non-profit groups with their web appearance, content, and reaching their goals. Damon also is a Co owner of FOCUS Coworking. He really enjoys having so much flexibility between work and life, being able to work with others, problem solve, and overall having a community of great people to turn to for help.
This is one episode of our FOCUS Coworking Members Showcase Videos. In this series, we interview our members to learn more about them and their entrepreneurial journey.
Damon Schopen has created and built up his company, Port Light Technology. This is a company that deals with web design, web development, and other E commerce projects. He works with a small team to assist other businesses, and non-profit groups with their web appearance, content, and reaching their goals. Damon also is a Co owner of FOCUS Coworking. He really enjoys having so much flexibility between work and life, being able to work with others, problem solve, and overall having a community of great people to turn to for help.
Member Showcase Transcription
Julie Endl
Okay. Hi, everyone. My name is Julie Endl. I’m one of the Co-owners of FOCUS Coworking. And we’re here today for our FOCUS Coworking member showcase. So I just wanted to welcome you first of all, and just let you know that FOCUS Coworking is in Jefferson, Wisconsin, we are a co working space that offers private offices, we have a shared space for coworking, we also have dedicated desks available and conference rooms, day passes, you know, we have it all here at FOCUS Coworking, a wonderful community of like minded professional people that support each other, daily. So we have a member here, one of the co-owners here of FOCUS Coworking is Damon Schopen. And Damon has a business that is Portlight Technology, and Damon is going to tell us more about his business. So yeah, introduce yourself a little bit. Damon, tell us about how, about your business and how you got started.
Damon Schopen
Sure, Julie. Yes. So, Portlight Technology I started, let’s see in 2013, I believe so what is that seven years, eight years, sorry, I’m not good with the math, but it’s been quite a while. And we do web design, web development, ecommerce projects. If it’s on the web, and it’s technology related, we usually can get into it. We really love to help other businesses. And nonprofits also improve their web presence to get into E commerce, or increase their web presence, you know, maybe they have that basic starter website that got them going. But now, it’s not quite doing everything they need. Or the standard feature set of the website software, you’re using a website platform you’re using doesn’t do what you need, we can help we can find other solutions, we can custom build things for you. So, you know, you know, I’ve just had a passion for technology my whole life. Even when I was a young kid, I liked to push the buttons on the VCR, you know, like, because that was just cool to me or the elevator button. I mean that that stuff just kind of amazed me that pushing a button would make something like that work and operate, you know. So I’ve always just had that passion for technology. And then when the computer age came around as far as getting computers in the home, right? I mean, I remember, you know, we got dial up internet, before there was even anything local, but my parents let me do like a few hours of it, calling Milwaukee you know, long distance. But you know, I really wanted to know what this internet thing was all about. And so they let me do that. And it’s like a Christmas present. And so it was just really cool and fascinating. So I’ve just kind of been hooked with it my whole life. And I love to take technology and make it easy for people to use and help them solve problems with it. So yeah.
Julie Endl
I just want to thank you so much for your expertise, because a lot of that stuff goes right over my head. And it’s really a blessing that for our group here at FOCUS that you have that piece because your knowledge is incredible. So we’ve gotten a lot of great information from you, as far as technology, because like I said, pretty much for all of us. So we appreciate that. So, um, tell us how did you get the idea for this business?
Damon Schopen
Yeah. So I went to school for computer science. I went to UW Milwaukee, after high school and actually hated math. So I, after a couple years in I was like, gosh, I don’t want to take calculus, I don’t want to take statistics and all of these really like complex math classes. Right? That’s just, it wasn’t what I was interested in. So I looked around and I went over into the business school instead because they had a management of Information Systems major, which was a lot of the programming and technology still, but you didn’t have to take all the math courses. And instead you have to take business courses, which I found to be really interesting. You know, running a business, starting a business was always something I was interested in. When I was a small kid, I would like pretend I had a store or had other kinds of businesses like that was the kind of thing that I guess kind of intrigued me as a child. So I think entrepreneurship was always something that drew me in and then I worked for so after college, I worked for a company called Power Sports Network PSN they’re not around anymore, but we did websites for motorcycle dealerships, and we had 3000 sites that we had at our peak motorcycle marine dealers, commercial truck dealers, agricultural equipment dealers.
Julie Endl
Back that far away. I mean, that’s probably how long ago eight years ago, maybe?
Damon Schopen
Yeah, I was there. I started 2006, I believe, or five. And yeah, until 2013. Yeah, so they were super innovative at the time, which was, sounds like it, they were definitely ahead of the curve. And that was super fun and super exciting got to work on a lot of cool problems. It’s a small company. So had a really fun, you know, the things you were doing really made an impact on your customers and made a difference and was really cool. I learned a ton about running servers to run 3000 websites, right, just to scale that and manage that and to build that complex, but fun. And I love those problem solving things. So the company got sold, and it was owned by a company out of Virginia. And, you know, we lost a lot of that, like, the culture really, what I was doing really was not having much of a direct impact on the customers anymore. There were so many layers between me and the customer that you didn’t ever really feel like, you know, what am I even doing here, right, and the company was struggling with, they were buying up a lot of businesses, so they were struggling to kind of sort all of that out. So we reorganized a lot. And so it felt like we just got a little bit of a rhythm, and they would just kind of shuffle us all around again. So it was hard. And I always knew I wanted to start a business. So I thought, Okay, this is the time. So I saved up for six months, and started getting some clients together, did it on the nights and weekends for several months, and then finally took the leap and left the full time job and started the business and never really looked back. It’s been hard sometimes, and it’s been a struggle, but that’s super rewarding. So
Julie Endl
Well, I mean, I’ve seen we’ve we’ve been connected through our mastermind group through FOCUS Coworking for it’s been a long time now, it’s got to be six, at least five might even be more than that could be um, so your business really was at the very beginning, when we when we really started to connect and do those mastermind calls with each other those in person get together. So you’ve come a long way and had so much growth. And it’s just been really cool to see that. You were setting goals. You’re attaining them. And it’s just kind of fun to see that. But if we’re talking about that, what is your dream? What is your big goal? What is the endgame here? Like? What do you think in?
Damon Schopen
Yeah, um, that’s a good question. You know, I think it’s to have a sustainable business, I have a couple of people that work for me now full time and part time. So I really find it rewarding to give them the work in a job and employment, right, and allow them to grow and learn. So I think it’s continuing to have that business that’s, I don’t ever envision us getting super huge, right? Like, with a team of 20 or 30 developers or doesn’t say,
Julie Endl
Cause that’ll take what you want left from right, that’ll take away? Yeah, you left, you know,
Damon Schopen
Right, right. But just kind of being that smaller boutique, where we do specialized work, and to have kind of the life that I want, and that’s one of the biggest parts about it, that is so great for me, compared to working for a corporation had to be in that desk eight to five every day, you know, if you’re a dentist, it was like this big deal of like, well, you know, I’m and well, maybe you should take vacation or, you know, liability. Yeah, you know, and I was on call for that. And I shouldn’t I not to complain about that company. But, you know, it was great, but I was on call. So if a server had a problem, I get up at like, midnight, two in the morning, three in the morning, right? And we’d solve the problem. And so I had the opportunity to go to Europe at the last minute on this trip for just a few days, you know, but the opportunity came up and I wanted to do it and you know, they gave me such a hard time about it. Ultimately, I got to go. But, you know, it was just so now you know, if I wanted to go to Europe next week, non COVID. You know, I could pick up and do that right? I can, you know, take time off from the day and like, you know, I was able to go visit my grandma a lot, you know, or, you know, I’m really involved with community service, especially with the Randy Schopen Foundation. And you know, like I can mix and meld my day where you know, I could spend an hour on that at two o’clock in the afternoon. And take a break from the other work Where that wouldn’t normally be possible, you know. So that flexibility. So that’s ultimately what I want. And then with the FOCUS Coworking, you know, it’s building that community of other entrepreneurs and freelancers and small business owners in this area who all want to, you know, better themselves and collaborate and work together. I want to be the pool clubhouse for the entrepreneurs in Jefferson County, you know? Absolutely. So that’s where I want to go. Yeah.
Julie Endl
Awesome. All right. So let’s go to the other side of the coin, what are some of the mistakes you’ve made that you maybe you wish you would have? Maybe some things you wish you would have changed along the way?
Damon Schopen
Hmm, there are so many where to start, right. But they’re all they have all been learning experiences, you know. So that’s what’s really been important. I undervalued my services a lot in the beginning, and didn’t charge enough because I was so afraid of not finding work. So that’s one thing that if I could do it all over, I probably would charge a higher rate right from the beginning. But it’s frightening when you’re, you know, going from that steady paycheck to, you know, uncertain income when you’re starting a business because you don’t have that customer base built up yet. Right. But, you know, the lower cost projects were always the most painful, and the people who wanted everything for nothing, and didn’t value my work and my services, you know, so that was definitely one thing I would say try to hold true to what you’re truly worth. And just do that from the start.
Julie Endl
Yeah, and that’s something that we worked through in our in our mastermind group, I remember talking about those hard questions, and just really having some good, honest conversations about that. Charging mean, we mean, I think you’ve even done a call on that, like one of our I’m charging, what you’re worth is one of our, our lunch, mastermind lunches. And so, I mean, that’s just always a really good thing to keep, to remind yourself. And so if you’re going to give a piece of advice for someone that’s just starting out, just remember that time. What would you say?
Damon Schopen
Do what you do best to also, you know, when I was starting out, I tried to be all things to all people, you know, Oh, you want some? SEO? like search engine optimization work? Yeah, I can do that. Right. But, you know, like, I can do it, but I’m not like, super fast at it, right? Like, it takes me more time to do it than someone that does that all day, all the time. Right? I can build a website super fast, you know, cause I do that a lot. But, you know, so I would get in and do these other projects that really wasn’t the core of what I’m good at. And, you know, it was just more work, more pain and frustration, you know, because I wanted the client to have a good result. So I would have to really put the effort in but then also with like, bookkeeping and other things, you know, bookkeeping, especially for me, I hate QuickBooks. I don’t want to touch it. I want to go in I want to look at the reports. But you know, record reconciling the bank statements, making sure all the transactions in there no, like, it takes me too long.
Julie Endl
So knowing what you’re good at, yeah, and get and you know, sourcing out, which are not what you don’t really love to do. Yep, it’s really great. Because it gives someone else a job to, you know, that bookkeeping, and it relieves you to do the stuff that you love to do, and you’re good at.
Damon Schopen
Absolutely. And, you know, if you think about you, okay, let’s say I charge $25 an hour in my business, that’s not really our rates, but I’m just throwing something out there, right? Sure, you can work on that, you know, work on that project for three hours. And, you know, make that $25 an hour for three hours and you pay your bookkeeper, even if you pay them 25 an hour, right, but it only takes them one hour to do what would be three, you’re making more money in the long run versus doing it yourself because now you’ve given up those three hours that could have been billable. You know,
Julie Endl
It’s hard in the beginning, though, because you don’t have a lot of money. And like you said that whole, you know, worrying about a paycheck. You know, sometimes you do have to do the things you don’t like to do. You know, but one of the things that I like about FOCUS Coworking is the community and so what’s your favorite thing about FOCUS Coworking. I mean, in our community. We’ve got so many people that do so many different things, and we’re able to connect with people to get that information from that source some support. So what would you be your favorite thing about FOCUS Coworking?
Damon Schopen
Yeah, I think as most people have said, these interviews, it’s been the community. You know, I’ve gotten to know so many people within but then also even in the more extended community, just working downtown Jefferson. You know, I run into people just randomly more frequently. You know, I hear about things that are going on business wise, just fun, wise to, you know, events or anything like that. So I just feel so much more connected to the community as a whole of Jefferson in the county, which is also really great. When I work from home, I didn’t have that as much of that interaction. That’s true, because I was just at home, you know, and here I’m walking somewhere to get some lunch or go to the post office or people are popping in and you’re seeing them. Yeah, you know, I talked to Pam, who had some clients today, Pam does waxing here. And so we had a nice conversation and just caught up. And I know she does bookkeeping to on the side. So I can always be like, Hey, crazy, you know what, I’m stuck here, you know, or I’m happy to refer people to so there’s a lot of referrals that happen here as well, which is really nice, too. And you hit that energy like, yes, you’re here working and other people are working on their goals and getting things done. You stay a little bit more focused. You feel the drive, you just feel that energy. I know, like, if I come in on a Saturday or Sunday to do some work, and no one’s here, energy is just not there. Right? It’s different. Definitely different. It’s harder for me to focus. Although it gives me that space versus at home on a Saturday or Sunday where I know, see? Yeah,
Julie Endl
Right. Right. So I usually come in on Tuesdays, and I didn’t today, because I thought I was gonna get some stuff done here. And no, I didn’t. I mean, I just I really have to really say the energy is really cool at FOCUS, like you can you really do. I mean, it is different. Like it’s just a place to be productive. And creativity is amazing. There, you feel it, you just feel that energy. So I believe that 100% So, thanks for all your information, and just how can people find you or connect with you just to kind of, I mean, I know you have a website, so maybe we can put that information obviously, below in the in the video, but tell us more about how we can find you.
Damon Schopen
Sure. Yeah. I think if you just Google Portlight Technology, or Google me, Damon Schopen. Okay, what’s out there in the world that’ll come up. Otherwise, it’s PortlightTechnology.com And yeah, that’ll be on the page with this interview. And, yeah, I always would love to sit down with someone for a half hour and just talk about where their web needs are right now. Where they’re headed in the future, what they struggle with, I have a vast network as well. So if it’s things that we don’t do, I’m always happy to make connections and refer out you know, to other people that I’ve seen really good success that I’ve gotten to know for a long time. So if you’re looking for social media, I got a person if you’re looking for SEO, I know some people if you’re looking to do Google ads, or Facebook ads, I know some people so. I am happy to be that initial contact point, a resource. Yeah, absolutely. And if we can help, great if not, you know, I would love to get you connected with someone who carries because I want everyone to succeed. You know, that’s right, that at the end of the day is the most important thing for me.
Julie Endl
Yeah, there’s a lot of really, your brain is full of a lot of information. I just know that for a fact. I mean, it’s amazing the stuff that you have up in that noggin of yours. wealth of information, my friend definitely. So well. Thank you so much, Damon, for sharing more about your business and FOCUS Coworking and how you know use both things to really be successful in your business and so look for this video to be coming to you via email also be posted on our website. So thanks a lot, Damon.
Damon Schopen
Thanks, Julie. Have a great day.
Julie Endl
You too. Bye bye.
