Jeff Chapman has owned and operated Greenlight Techs since 2015.  We both share a desire to connect with people in their home and solve technology problems.  Here is our edited conversation:

Jeff, what computing devices can you work on?
I can help with computers, televisions, home theater, networking, cameras, phones…  Basically, if it takes power, I can help you get the most out of it. If your computer is broken, I can fix it.  If your TV is broken, I can help you get a new one.

I suspect that diversity is because of your retail background.  I started similarly at Radio Shack.
I started my professional computer life in the mid-1990s working for Computer City as a cashier.  It was there that I figured out that I liked talking to people about their technological needs.  Moving into sales I found I could match people well with the products they really needed.  While never the top salesman, I had the lowest return percentage because of that.  I shifted to Circuit City in 1998, transitioning into their in-store repair and eventually into -in-home repair.  I was asked to lead the northwest Circuit City stores providing that service.
In 2009, Circuit City declared bankruptcy.  I started my own company to continue to serve my clients from the chain. I still have many of those clients,

With that longevity, you have had to work out how to best help the people you serve through a lot of technical hurdles over the years!
I really enjoy talking to people about technology and how it can enhance their lives.  I realize though that people don’t always want a technical solution but must adopt to it in order to do even basic things.   The key is to assess what kind of technical background people have, without asking them a lot of technical questions. Then I can explain technology in terms that they understand.  Finding out what clients’ needs are, and matching those needs to a product or a service helps people enjoy technology, even if they never reach my level of interest.

Finding the right level to help people to understand tech can be challenging, especially with older adults or those who haven’t grown up with technology.
I am now 51 years old [as of 2025]. Even now, most of my clients are many years older than I am.  Matching clients to the right solution is the most helpful thing I do.   Sometimes that means delivering something complex because a client is excited about the new options available and they want to get the most out of it. Other times it means finding the most basic solution. I don’t think it is really a challenge to find the right solution for the client if I ask the right questions and follow their lead.  

Technology is a field where changes are constant.  How do you stay current with new tools and systems—and how do you decide what’s worth learning?
Thinking back through all the years of all the products that have come and gone is mind boggling.  I am first to admit to not knowing everything about every product.  My skill is finding the answers to how something operates.  The key thing about technology is to never stop learning.  Learning things that my clients are interested in guides me on what I should learn next. Currently, I'm reading a lot about AI and what it can do and not do, as many of my clients are asking about it. 

What kinds of issues do you most enjoy helping with?
My favorite issues to help people with are ones that can bring them joy.  For example, showing them how to view all of their photos on their phones or ways to connect with their family, etc.  Many of my clients talk to me about their family and make me feel part of their lives.  It is these life connections that make my job not feel like a job, and the reason I have so many long-term clients. 

How do you balance explaining things clearly with solving problems efficiently?
Knowing your clients and their history helps me be efficient. Frequently, I remember doing things for a client that they don’t remember.  Knowing what kind of issues they have had in the past can help me fix current issues. Making sure I don’t talk above their technical knowledge makes them more comfortable and leads me to being better able to explain things in terms that clients understand.

What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of your technology work?
My interests are constantly changing.  A year ago, I was doing a remodel on my house.  So, I learned more about electrical work, building walls, installing flooring, and way too much about painting! Last spring, I made a chicken coop to house 8 chickens.  I will definitely show you a picture or two of my chickens.  

What’s the best way for someone to contact you—email, phone, text?

For the first contact, I generally prefer a phone call as I get a lot of spam emails and don’t want to miss anything.  After the first point of contact, all options are good.  However, I do not answer my phone if I am at another client’s house, as I am spending my time with them.  I will then call you back if you leave me a voicemail.  Texting short questions can get you a faster response as I will answer short questions via text. 

Do you offer home visits, remote support, or do I need to go somewhere for assistance?
All my services are on site.  There are times when the services can’t be performed in a timely manner on site, and for those situations I will pick up the PC from a location and bring it back to you!  I also offer remote management for computers, and if you are a member of that, many times I can fix things remotely!

I noticed the remote management service on your website.  Interesting approach.  How does it work?
When Xfinity stopped offering free Norton Anti-Virus with their internet service in 2019, a lot of my clients asked what they should do.  I started offering a managed anti-virus, which means that if my client gets attacked, I get alerted and can help remedy it as fast as possible.  By remotely keeping computers software up to date, it prevents many viruses from taking advantage of vulnerabilities.  So, I bundle remote management and monitoring for $100.00 a year per computer.  It has lowered my number of calls for issues by 85%!

I often get asked why I charge yearly, even if clients haven’t needed my help.  That is the point.  I fix potential problems before you even know that you had a problem!

One other advantage of my monitoring is that I can help remotely with issues.  This can help me get to you faster, and if we can fix things remotely, I do not have a one-hour minimum charge.  So 15 minutes of work is only $20.00.

Sounds like a form of insurance.  Since you bring it up, what are your general rates and payment options?
My hourly rate is $80.00/hour with a one hour minimum. Some jobs I charge by the type of work, such as new computer setups.  I like to be upfront with my pricing so there are no surprises!

I take all kinds of different methods of payment.  I am a business, and can NOT work for alcohol, cookies, or apple pies.  I prefer to take checks but can also do credit cards, Zelle, Venmo, and cash (in exact change).

One of the services that I do for my clients is to help purchase new TVs, computers, printers, etc....  For transactions that have hardware costs, I do charge 3% on credit card transactions on the hardware portion.  If labor only, I do not charge a service fee.

For home visits, what is your service area?
I serve North Seattle, Marysville, Bellevue, Shoreline, Everett, Monroe, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Kirkland, Bothell, Woodinville, Duvall, Snohomish, and all areas close to these areas.

Thanks, Jeff, for all the information!  If folks have other questions for you, can they give you a call?
Sure!  My phone number is (425) 608 0050 or you can email me through support@greenlighttechs.com

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