TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

It's Alive! TechMonster Idea Is Born

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2007

TEMPLE TERRACE - At an age when most boys were playing with Lincoln Logs and Legos, Scott Davis was enthralled with what to him was a plaything of a completely different sort - computers.

"Me and computers have just always seemed to mesh. I had my own by the time I was 5," said Davis, now 23 and the co-owner of TechMonster in Temple Terrace.

Davis is in partnership with Benito Middle School technology resource teacher Kevin Howard, who in 2000 was Davis' teacher in a first-of-its-kind PC Support class at Hillsborough High School.

"Scott was one of my promising students," Howard said. "The class built a computer, but it wouldn't start. Scott knew how to start it."

Because of their interest in computers, the duo developed a strong bond that continued after Davis graduated in 2003.

"I still have good relationships with students I had 10 years ago, but this one was just an outstanding relationship," said Howard. "I'm pretty good with computers, but he blows me away."

Their close association and computer expertise led them to start their own business, TechMonster, out of Davis' Seminole Heights home in May 2006.

Three months ago, they moved the business to a strip center south of Busch Boulevard across 56th Street from the city's projected redevelopment project. The store is next to Stangherlin Chiropractic Clinic.

They offer computer sales and in-store and on-site service. Custom-built computers, home theater computers, car computers and networking tools are their specialty, and they repair desktop and laptop hardware and software problems. They also provide spyware and virus removal services.

The partners selected "Tech Problems Beware, the Monster's on the Loose" as the company's slogan.

Davis is the business' chief technology officer and runs its day-to-day operations, and Howard helps out on the weekends and during the summer, when he's not teaching.
South Tampa certified public accountant Randi Raaen has employed the services of several so-called computer experts through the years. She said she's finally found a company she plans to stick with.

"You're kind of at their mercy, but we are very, very happy with TechMonster and I plan to refer my clients to them," she said. "If there is a problem, they solve it in a very short time and tell you exactly what is wrong and what you need. If things still don't work, they are right back out to see what they can do to make them work."

Maggie Maranzana of MJM Quality Transportation in Tampa had a similar response.

"Every time I call Scott, he's right there," she said. "He always fixes our problems, and he's such a nice young man. He would make any mother proud."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: TechMonster

WHERE: 8834 N. 56th St.

WHEN: Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

INFORMATION: Visit www.techmonster.net or call (813) 231-3401.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT