Out of her friend group, Nancy Smith is the one who’s into technology.
The 58-year-old is often the first to get the latest phone or software update. She’s also the first call when a friend or family member is having tech issues.
“I lost my email; I don’t know where my email is; I just got a new iPad, can you set that up for me; or I don’t know how to use my cell phone; I’ve lost all my phone numbers; my contacts are gone,” she says.
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No matter the issue, Smith has the right skills and patience for helping troubleshoot.
After taking a seminar about how to create an online business, Smith decided to take her talent commercial. About one year ago she launched BCTECH4SENIORS with her first online course, From Boomer to Zoomer, which teaches Zoom to seniors.
During her seminar, Smith was told to tackle something that had challenged her. She works in engineering building circuit boards, but when pandemic restrictions forced people online, she struggled with Zoom.
“I didn’t know which camera to use, how to use the microphone; it was always muted,” she says. “I got nervous.”
Smith has worked in engineering for decades and currently builds circuit boards. She wasn’t used to a technology issue she couldn’t solve.
“I was so embarrassed because I didn’t know what to do. And I’m like, ‘well how hard can it be?’ and it was really hard,” she says. “It was really challenging for me.”
But she was able to figure the program out and decided to make that the first course for her new business to offer.
Her specialty is helping seniors with technology.
She can be the patient helper that most family members struggle with being when grandma or grandpa needs help. The most common issues she helps with are loading cell phones up with previous information and finding contacts.
Smith is hoping to continue developing her company and wants to explore technological solutions to helping seniors age in place. Things like smart home systems and dual authentication.
“My goal is to serve as much as I can to older adults that struggle with technology so that they don’t have to ask their kids,” she says. “I want to be that person that teaches them and makes their life easier.”
