For Edward Stogner, the entrepreneurial bug bit early. Growing up watching his father run a business, Ed learned about the trials and rewards of ownership from a young age. But unlike many entrepreneurs, Ed didn’t dive straight into business ownership. He spent over 20 years working in manufacturing, gaining experience at startups, and helping companies navigate both growth and crisis before taking the plunge into entrepreneurship with TeamLogic IT—a franchise-based business providing outsourced IT solutions for small businesses.

In a candid conversation, Ed shared his journey, from corporate engineering to entrepreneurship, his strategic decision to buy into a franchise, and how he’s bringing enterprise-level IT to small businesses at a fraction of the cost.

Watching His Father Inspired a Life of Entrepreneurship

Edward’s entrepreneurial journey started with his father’s influence. “When I was 16, I worked with my dad and saw him own a business,” Ed recalls. His father’s experience gave him a front-row seat to the highs and lows of running a company. “His favourite line was, ‘If it weren’t for the customers and the employees, owning a business would be great.’” Though light-hearted, this saying stuck with Ed and influenced how he approached both client and employee relationships in his own ventures.

While he didn’t jump directly into entrepreneurship, Ed always had a desire to work for himself. He began by dipping his toe in the entrepreneurial waters with side hustles, including a rental property and a consulting business. These experiences gave him a taste of what it would take to succeed as a business owner, but he hadn’t yet fully committed to going out on his own—until now.

The Decision to Go the Franchise Route

After years of contemplating his entrepreneurial future, Edward chose to buy into TeamLogic IT, a decision that took him five years to make. “I considered starting my own business with a few different ideas,” he explains, “but I didn’t find a partner in my area to team up with. And going it alone is very challenging. I knew I needed someone technical while I handled the sales and marketing side.”

For Ed, the franchise route offered a strategic advantage. “The biggest thing was the support,” he says. “Starting on my own would mean creating my own marketing, IP, and brand, with no support network.” In contrast, the TeamLogic IT franchise model provided a built-in support system. “I don’t have to jump through all the hurdles on my own. I can hit the ground running and get to profitability much faster.”

The franchise also gave Ed access to a vast network of expertise. While his office may be small, he can tap into a team of over 1,500 engineers across the country. “Just this week, someone in Indianapolis sold a job, I helped close it, and then someone in California executed the work. That’s how TeamLogic works—collaboration across the network.”

Risk-Taking and Bold Moves

Ed’s journey to entrepreneurship wasn’t without risks—something he has grown accustomed to. “I’ve made some bold choices,” he admits. “At one point, I quit a corporate job and joined a startup with no safety net.” That startup went from having two weeks of backlog to reaching $10 million in sales and a six-month backlog, a testament to Ed’s ability to navigate the challenges of high-risk environments.

But Ed doesn’t see himself as a reckless risk-taker. Instead, he approaches risk with careful planning. “On the surface, it might look like high risk,” he says, “but we’ve postured ourselves strategically.” For instance, Ed and his family live debt-free, with enough savings to cover two years of living expenses, allowing him to focus on building his business without financial strain. “We’ve been very fiscally conservative, so while it looks risky, we’ve positioned ourselves to handle it.”

His faith also plays a critical role in managing uncertainty. “I have a lot of faith in myself, but also in the Lord. If this business fails, I know I can find another job.”

Starting from Scratch—Again

Though Edward is no stranger to small businesses, starting a new business always comes with its unique set of challenges. TeamLogic IT is only five months old, and while he’s seen some early success, there are still many hurdles ahead. “Cash flow is priority one,” he states matter-of-factly, “and priority two is paying myself.”

Marketing and sales remain areas of focus as he scales the business. “I’m a technical person—I’m an engineer,” Ed says, acknowledging that sales isn’t his natural strength. “But getting in front of people is where I need to grow.”

His approach is simple but effective. “Networking, knocking on doors, cold calling—I’m doing whatever it takes. Lots of coffees with people, lots of networking. It’s about building a referral network, and I’m starting to see the fruits of that.”

Finding Motivation in Family

Despite the long hours and challenges of running a business, Ed draws his motivation from a very personal place—his family. “I’ve got eight kids now,” he laughs, “and they’re my motivation. My goal is to be faithful to my family and show them what hard work looks like.”

For Ed, it’s not just about financial success but also modeling responsible risk-taking and perseverance for his children. “I hope I’m showing them that if you do the right things and plan well, you can gain the freedom to do what you want to do. I couldn’t have started this business until we reached that point.”

His wife of 20 years has been a steady support system through all of it. “We grew up together—we got married young,” Ed shares. “She has a lot of faith in me, and that’s motivating. We discuss big decisions, and she believes in what I’m doing.”

The Road Ahead

When asked about the next six to twelve months, Ed is laser-focused on growth. “My biggest challenge is building a solid sales pipeline,” he says. While he has the technical side covered, finding the right customers and getting in front of them is his top priority. “Once I get in front of people, I’m confident I can close the deal. But how do you get in front of them in the first place? That’s where I’m focused.”

He’s also fine-tuning his customer targeting strategy, aiming to work with businesses that value high-end IT services. “Not every business needs enterprise-level cybersecurity, and that’s okay. I’m looking for the ones that do.”

Final Thoughts

Edward Stogner’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of calculated risk, strategic positioning, and unwavering dedication to family and faith. With TeamLogic IT, Ed is not only solving critical IT problems for small businesses but also proving that with the right foundation, bold choices can lead to lasting success.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Ed’s advice is simple: “Figure out what problem you’re solving and how you’re going to get in front of people. If you can’t get in front of people, you’re wasting your time.”

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