Name: Matt Ates

Age: 52

Business name: SCW Tech

Town/Neighborhood: Beardsley/Sun City West

Hour of operation: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; drop-off or training by appointment only on Saturday

Personal background highlights: Former Southern California resident. I am a single IT Pro and have been working in this field since 1999. Since 2018 I have been living with my elderly mother due to various health issues and surgeries she had.

In 2019, I had to leave my demanding corporate job and instead started working part-time as a repair and support tech at a local computer repair shop in Huntington Beach. Beginning of October 2023, my mom decided to leave the crowded and stressful So Cal life to be closer to my sisters who have been living in Arizona for a long while. She is a new resident of Sun City West. This situation allowed me to pursue my dream of starting my own business, which I am currently in the process of setting up.

Professional background highlights: I've been working in the information technology field as a support tech and system administrator for various size organizations in different fields (insurance, healthcare, financial, academic, automotive, manufacturing, etc.) since 1999. I specialize in technical issue troubleshooting, process automation, data recovery, user support, network and system security, Windows system optimization.

What I do: I love computers, I like fixing things, I enjoy helping people. What I do will be a wonderful and magical combination of all three.

What I like most about doing business here: Especially in the last few years, during my hands-on computer diagnostic and repair role, I have noticed a big deficit in quality service for computer repair and user support fields. I also want to make sure the charges and fees are fair and reasonable. I believe my new business will be able to offer this as it will be home based. Even if I opened a shop in the future, I will make sure the keep the service fees as low as possible, especially for senior citizens. I will be offering a fixed discount for senior citizens for any service I offer. I have always enjoyed working with people of all age but especially with elderly users, I am planning on providing training on various computer related areas, as requested.

Changes I’d like to see in this area: I am still too new to comment on this.

What am I promoting: A community driven business with 100% transparency and satisfaction guarantee.

What I’m excited about and why: This is something I have always wanted to do on my own and am able to, finally!

Favorite community cause and why: I am new to this community and area but in California, as a motorcyclist, I have always enjoyed the charity rides to benefit various causes such as Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation or South LA 10-33 Benefit Ride (for the families of police officers, firefighters and EMTs who lost their life while on-duty). In a similar fashion based on my professional experience and skills, I'd like to start weekly or monthly computer workshops in this community. It would be volunteer based, so, no one including myself would be paid to offer this free of charge or low enough to cover any non-person related expenses. There could also be a small fee where to money is given to a certain local charity of cause. I am open to ideas on this. I believe, especially elderly computer users are in need of such "casual" training just as much as actual repair and support services.

When and why I started my business/employment here: Well, if I was alone, I don't believe I would pick SCW as my next destination but due to personal obligations and family, I am here now. So, I'd like to make the best of this new place by going after new opportunities.

Where was before and why I left: I was a Southern California resident for a long time. I have lived in Phoenix back in 2007-2009 but ending up getting a job in California and relocated back.

My family: I have two sisters. Younger one lives in Prescott Valley with her family. The older one is a Real Estate agent living here in Sun City West with her husband. Her son just got his own place in Surprise. I am currently residing in Sun City West, at the same house as my elderly mom.

My interests & hobbies: Computers, technology and motorcycles (wrenching and riding). I have just recently grown an interest in electronics diagnostics and repair. It made sense since I already have technical troubleshooting and soldering experience. I am very new in this field but I am working on developing my skills further.

People who inspire me (and how): Too many to count but none of them were famous. It is the simplest thing a person can say or do can inspire me in one or more ways. Sometimes I even admire a person disposition or the way they talk or carry themselves. Again, anything I notice that could be beneficial to me or help me see my inferior ways to better myself, can be inspirational.

My guiding philosophy: Don't worry about it if you cannot do anything about it.

My advice to today’s youth: Travel the world as much as you can.

Contact information: 714-472-4338 and suncitywesttech@gmail.com/scwtech.site.