EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine November 2016 | Page 17

would use technology—automate payroll,

control inventory, manage a database, and

so forth—and created a technology package
tailored to each business.

Managing Turbulence
Okhovatian’s reputation quickly led to

more business. “I used to say that if there was

any honest way I could make a living off a PC, I
would do it. In the early years, I manufactured
hardware, wrote software, and trained

customers.” But technological change was a

constant challenge. Custom PCs gave way to

out-of-box solutions. Large companies started

designing off-the-shelf software. PC operating
systems became more “user friendly.”

Okhovatian had to reinvent his business

every few years and quickly realized that a
one-man operation was not sustainable. “I

saw many owner-operated tech businesses
come and go, trying to keep low overhead

and compete on price. The problem is that,
as technology advances so rapidly, few

individuals have the ability to maintain

the know-how necessary to meet changing

customer demands, let alone put energy into

running their businesses and living their lives.”

NOVEMBER 2016 | 17 |