Winner of the July 2016 3AW Momentum Energy Small Business Award
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About iTandCoffee
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Empowering people (especially women) through a better understanding of their technologyMy name is Lynette Coulston, and I created iTandCoffee in 2012.
As a mother of 4 and as the 'home IT manager' in a house that has quite a bit of technology, I was regularly being asked for help by so many of my family and friends - all of whom (like me) had iPhones and/or iPads, and sometimes Macs, sometimes Windows computers. A common theme for many was that they were really only able to use the basic functions of their technology (if even that) and that they didn't know where to turn when something went wrong or they needed advice about their technology. It all became too hard. Another common theme for my mum/grandmum friends was that their husbands/kids were too busy or too impatient with them to be of any real assistance, so these poor mums had given up asking!
They were so grateful to have someone who could speak their language, show them some patience, and who didn't make them feel 'dumb'. They would come back to me again and again for assistance! Several of them suggested to me that I should start a business to help people like them. So I did, leaving my corporate IT job behind! |
A walk through the iTandCoffee Shop
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So many people are new to, and need assistance with techologyThe initial focus of iTandCoffee was on helping busy mums, by having group gatherings of women who were interested in discussing their technology questions, issues, their kids and technology (and of course some 'non-technology' stuff) - lots of conversation, laughter and enjoyment for all of us.
A whole new world would open up for those who attended, and they would be hungry for more! Once the business was up and running and news of iTandCoffee started to spread by word of mouth, it became very obvious that it is not just mums who need the sort of help iTandCoffee offers. Grandparents, families of kids with school iPads, families with multiple devices to manage, teens setting up their new Macbooks, teachers trying to keep up with their students, professional people who wanted to get their technology 'sync'ing' and 'in the cloud' - all started attending iTandCoffee sessions and seeking iTandCoffee assistance. |
iTandCoffee on 3AW
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iTandCoffee for Seniors
Many seniors are also discovering (or wanting to discover) the amazing world of the iPad, but are in desperate need of assistance from someone who is patient, can talk their language and - very importantly - move at a pace that suits them.
As was the issue for my mum friends, their offspring are often too distant, busy or impatient with them to be of any real assistance.
Those from younger generations have difficulty understanding that older generations are not 'wired' to understand technology in the way that kids today are.
The seniors (and not so seniors) just love that the iTandCoffee sessions are so wonderfully informal, friendly and interactive. We chat and we laugh, but we also cover a lot of ground. Every group who has come for the first session has then kept coming back for more.
Most are nervous to start with, worried that they will be the 'dummy'.
But they quickly find that they are in the same boat as everyone else, and that there are so many amazing things to discover. Many are quite gob-smacked and inspired by what they can do with their new-found knowledge. One client even used the words 'life-changing'!
As was the issue for my mum friends, their offspring are often too distant, busy or impatient with them to be of any real assistance.
Those from younger generations have difficulty understanding that older generations are not 'wired' to understand technology in the way that kids today are.
The seniors (and not so seniors) just love that the iTandCoffee sessions are so wonderfully informal, friendly and interactive. We chat and we laugh, but we also cover a lot of ground. Every group who has come for the first session has then kept coming back for more.
Most are nervous to start with, worried that they will be the 'dummy'.
But they quickly find that they are in the same boat as everyone else, and that there are so many amazing things to discover. Many are quite gob-smacked and inspired by what they can do with their new-found knowledge. One client even used the words 'life-changing'!
Translator for the 'immigrants to the digital world'
As I have heard several times at education sessions for parents at schools, our kids are the 'digital natives' to this new digital world, and we, the older generations, are the 'immigrants'.
So many of the people I work with find they just cannot speak the language of this new world! I act as their translator, using my 30+ years of experience with technology and my 25+ years of 'domestic engineering'!
So many of the people I work with find they just cannot speak the language of this new world! I act as their translator, using my 30+ years of experience with technology and my 25+ years of 'domestic engineering'!
iTandCoffee for Teachers
So many teachers are struggling to keep up with their students in cases where schools have introduced iPads.
The training they often receive is in specific apps, but they really need to understand some of the more basic areas first.
iTandCoffee has gone into schools and run sessions that cover basics, but also that cover iPad information that is specific to a school environment - using the 'cloud' in the classroom, great educational apps, etc.
The training they often receive is in specific apps, but they really need to understand some of the more basic areas first.
iTandCoffee has gone into schools and run sessions that cover basics, but also that cover iPad information that is specific to a school environment - using the 'cloud' in the classroom, great educational apps, etc.
Your Technology 'Life Coach'
iTandCoffee now has many clients that come on a regular basis for one-on-one sessions, to cover whatever it is they would like to cover that week!
They see iTandCoffee as their 'IT Life Support', and me as their 'IT Life Coach'! A bit like going to the gym on a regular basis!
They see iTandCoffee as their 'IT Life Support', and me as their 'IT Life Coach'! A bit like going to the gym on a regular basis!
Squeals of delightI now feel a real passion for showing people of all ages how their technology can make a positive difference in their life - making them more organised, less stressed, more connected, more entertained.
And I just LOVE seeing how excited my clients get when they discover what is possible. There are often squeals of delight! Corporate iT was never this much fun and satisfying. So many lovely clients - how lucky I am to be doing this job!iTandCoffee's lovely clients often send beautiful emails of thanks and appreciation, or leave comments on our booking system's website.
See the 'Testimonials' page for just some of this feedback. |
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