4CORELABS — DAY 1 TO YEAR 1

The Full Playbook • Section-by-Section • Checkbox-by-Checkbox

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4CORELABS AT A GLANCE

Contact

Phone: (334) 545-1076

Email: hello@4corelabs.com

Website: 4corelabs.com

Address: 338 Hawridge Rd, Ozark, AL 36360

Payment

Venmo: @4CoreLabs

CashApp: $4CoreLabs

Zelle: [your email]

Bank: ___________

Legal

LLC: 4CoreLabs LLC

EIN: ___________

Sales Tax #: ___________

Insurance: State Farm 334-774-5156

THE 4-ARM MODEL

ARM 1: LOCAL TECH

PC repair, custom builds, WiFi, TV mounting, home setup, data backup

This is your Trojan Horse. Gets you in the door. Everything else follows.

ARM 2: GAIA EDUCATION

Free AI tutoring for orphans, foster kids, and schools. 51 subjects, 1,021 topics, 7,038 books.

Computers get donated with GAIA loaded. No license cost = Linux Mint.

ARM 3: DIGITAL SERVICES

Business websites ($300-800), resumes ($50-75), LinkedIn ($40), Google Business ($50)

AI-powered but customers never know. Position as "4CoreLabs Digital Services."

ARM 4: DONATE & GIVE

Recycle old computers, find sponsors, partner with orphanages/family care homes

Donations MARKET the repair shop. Cyclical — brand feeds mission feeds brand.

BREAK-EVEN MATH

Monthly expenses: ~$310
Insurance (State Farm)$60/mo
Phone line$50/mo
Website hosting (Cloudflare)$20/mo
Gas (local driving)$100/mo
Marketing (flyers, business cards)$30/mo
Misc (tools, parts, supplies)$50/mo
TOTAL$310/mo

5 repairs x $75 = $375/month = PROFITABLE

Everything after $311 is profit. Your nearest competitor is 30 minutes away in Dothan and charges double.

YOUR MARKET

Ozark, AL

Population: ~14,000

Local computer repair shops: ZERO

Nearest competitor: Dothan, 30 min away, double the price

Fort Novosel

65-75% of disposable income in area

Military families rotate every 2-3 years (always new customers)

Paydays: 1st and 15th of every month = hottest days

YEAR 1 INCOME TARGETS

MonthTargetFocus
1$500Get legal, first 3-5 customers
2$1,000Word of mouth, Facebook posts
3$1,500First retainer, first audit
4$2,500Referral network active
5$3,5002-3 retainers
6$4,000Website clients rolling in
7$4,500GAIA donations visible
8$5,500Price raise round 1
9$6,5005+ retainers
10$7,500Holiday push
11$8,000Year-end audit sales
12$8,500Planning Year 2
YEAR 1~$55,000

YOUR HIDDEN AI TEAM

Customers NEVER know you use AI. Position everything as "4CoreLabs diagnostic tools" and "business analysis."

Market Strategist

Tells you WHO to target, WHERE to find them, WHEN to post

Use for: Google Business optimization, Facebook ad ideas, military payday timing

Copywriter

Writes your phone greetings, Facebook posts, pitch scripts, follow-up texts

Use for: Any time you need words — scripts, posts, emails, pitches

Data Analyst

Tracks your numbers, finds trends, tells you what to raise/kill

Use for: Weekly scorecard review, price decisions, what services are working

Business Strategist

Plans your next 90 days, handles growth decisions, risk management

Use for: "What should I do next?" — big-picture planning and prioritizing

10 GOLDEN RULES

  1. You don't need to be perfect. You need to start.
  2. The first customer is the hardest. After that, momentum builds.
  3. When in doubt, pick up the phone. In a small town, relationships beat advertising.
  4. Don't compare Month 1 to someone else's Year 3.
  5. Check boxes. Follow the steps. Don't skip ahead.
  6. Your market has 14,000 people and ZERO computer repair shops.
  7. Your nearest competitor is 30 minutes away and charges double.
  8. Computer repair is your Trojan Horse — it gets you in the door, then everything else follows.
  9. Every repair funds GAIA. That's not charity — that's your brand.
  10. You have the mission. You have the plan. You have the AI team behind you.

Go.

SECTION 1: BUSINESS STRATEGIST

Getting the legal and money stuff done so you can actually operate.

WEEK 1: MAKE IT LEGAL
DAY 1 (Monday) — Name Check & LLC Setup
DAY 2 (Tuesday) — Tax Numbers
DAY 3 (Wednesday) — City Business License
DAY 4 (Thursday) — Bank Account & Payment Setup
DAY 5 (Friday) — Insurance
DAY 6-7 (Weekend) — Organize
WEEK 2: TOOLS, PRICES & WORKSPACE
DAY 8 (Monday) — Write Down Your Prices

Get a notebook. Write these EXACTLY. Don't change them for 3 months.

COMPUTER REPAIR

ServicePriceTime$/Hour
Diagnose (tell them what's wrong)$40*15-30 min$80-160
Virus / malware removal$751-2 hrs$38-75
PC cleanup & speed-up$7545 min$100
Blue screen / crash fix$751-2 hrs$38-75
Boot failure repair$751-2 hrs$38-75
Laptop screen replacement$100 + parts30-45 min$133-200
Desktop repair (hardware swap)$85 + parts30-45 min$113-170
Custom PC build (labor only)$1503-5 hrs$30-50
RAM upgrade$40 + parts20-30 min$80-120
SSD upgrade$60 + parts45-60 min$60-80
Power supply replacement$60 + parts30-45 min$80-120
Hard drive replacement$60 + parts1-2 hrs$30-60

*$40 diagnosis applied to repair cost if they hire you. Parts markup: 15-20% above cost.

INSTALL & SETUP

ServicePriceTime
Fresh Windows install$7530-45 min
Windows install + all drivers$1001 hr
Windows install + full setup$1502-3 hrs
Linux install (labor only)$1001 hr
Linux install + full setup$1752-3 hrs
Dual boot (Windows + Linux)$1502-3 hrs
Linux gaming setup$2003 hrs
Linux AI/programming setup$2003 hrs
Linux business setup$2003 hrs
Linux server setup$2504 hrs
Data backup (copy files)$5030 min-1 hr
Data transfer (old PC to new PC)$751-2 hrs
Secure data wipe$501-4 hrs

HOME SETUP

ServicePrice
WiFi setup / fix$100
WiFi troubleshooting (on-site)$100
WiFi extender setup$50
WiFi mesh system setup$125
TV wall mounting$75
TV setup + mounting$100
Soundbar mounting$50
Cable hiding$25-50
Printer setup$50
Router setup / replacement$75
Smart home device setup$50
On-site (Ozark)FREE
On-site (Fort Novosel)FREE

DIGITAL SERVICES

ServicePrice
Small business website$300-800
Website refresh$150+
Google Business Profile setup$50
Professional resume$50
Resume + cover letter$75
Military transition resume$75
LinkedIn profile$40
Domain registration help$25
Business email setup$50

RETAINERS (first month FREE)

TierPriceWhat They Get
Tier 1 — Basic Watch$100/mo1 visit/month (1 hr), text support, WiFi check, virus scan, software updates, printer check
Tier 2 — Business Standard$250/mo2 visits/month (2 hrs each), priority text, all Tier 1 + full scans, backup check, all PCs updated, email/peripheral check
Tier 3 — Full IT Partner$500/mo4-5 visits/month, same-day response, all Tier 2 + network security, website check, tech roadmap

AI BUSINESS AUDITS

ServicePrice
Quick Scan (3-5 page report)$200-300
Full Audit (10-15 page report)$500-1,000
Monthly Audit Subscription$300-500/mo
Partnership Matchmaking$500-1,000
MILITARY DISCOUNT: 10% off labor on EVERYTHING. Always mention this to military customers.
DAY 9 (Tuesday) — Tools
DAY 10 (Wednesday) — Workspace
DAY 11 (Thursday) — Build 4 USB Drives
DRIVE 1: RESCUE — Windows Installation Media
Download from microsoft.com → Media Creation Tool → "Create installation media"
Also put Malwarebytes Free installer on same drive. Label "RESCUE."
DRIVE 2: WIPE — DBAN
Download from dban.org. Create bootable USB with Rufus. Securely wipes drives before donating. Label "WIPE."
DRIVE 3: SCAN — Portable Diagnostic Tools
Malwarebytes Portable, CrystalDiskInfo, MemTest86, AdwCleaner. Label "SCAN."
DRIVE 4: BOOT — Linux Mint Live USB
Download from linuxmint.com → Cinnamon edition. Create with Rufus or BalenaEtcher. Boots dead computers. Label "BOOT."
DAY 12 (Friday) — Forms
DAY 13-14 (Weekend) — Practice
WEEK 3: FORT NOVOSEL & COMMUNITY
DAY 15 (Monday) — Fort Novosel Access
DAY 16 (Tuesday) — Army Community Service
DAY 17 (Wednesday) — Chamber of Commerce
DAY 18 (Thursday) — Carroll High School
DAY 19 (Friday) — Ozark Public Library
DAY 20-21 (Weekend) — Business Cards
WEEK 4: SOFT LAUNCH
DAY 22 (Monday) — Google Business Profile
DAY 23 (Tuesday) — Facebook Page
DAY 24-25 (Wed-Thu) — Tell Everyone You Know
DAY 26-27 (Fri-Sat) — Accept Your First Customer
WEEKS 5-12: GET TRACTION
Weekly Rhythm for Weeks 5-12:
Monday: Post a tip on Facebook
Tuesday-Wednesday: Retainer visits or repairs
Thursday: Follow up with past customers
Friday: Post social proof + payday post (1st/15th)
Saturday: Repairs, walk-ins
Sunday: REST + update scorebook + AI team meeting (15 min)
MONTHS 4-6: RETAINERS & AUDITS
MONTHS 7-12: GROW & STABILIZE

SECTION 2: MARKETING STRATEGIST

Getting people to know you exist and trust you enough to call.

WEEK 1: GOOGLE BUSINESS DEEP SETUP
Day 8-12: Google Business Profile (5 days to nail it)
WEEK 2: FACEBOOK STRATEGY
Day 15-18: Facebook Setup
WEEKLY CONTENT CALENDAR
Post 3x per week minimum. Military paydays (1st/15th) = hottest days to post.
DayTypeExample
MondayTech Tip"3 signs your computer has a virus: 1. It's super slow 2. Random pop-ups 3. Programs opening by themselves. If this sounds like your PC, bring it by — virus removal is $75."
WednesdaySocial Proof"Just fixed a blue screen issue for a Fort Novosel family in under 2 hours. Their PC is running like new again. 30-day warranty on all repairs. (334) 545-1076"
FridayFun/Relatable"Your computer is like a car — skip oil changes and it breaks down. Skip updates and it slows to a crawl. Bring yours in for a $75 tune-up and we'll have it flying again."
1st or 15thPAYDAY POST"Happy payday Fort Novosel! If your tax refund or PCS check is burning a hole in your pocket, I can build you a custom gaming PC that'll crush anything at the PX. DM me or call (334) 545-1076"
MONTHS 4-6: REFERRAL NETWORK
MONTHS 7-12: EXPAND MARKETING

SECTION 3: COPYWRITER

Exact words to say, write, and post. Don't reinvent — use these.

PHONE GREETING

"Hi, this is Joshua with 4CoreLabs. How can I help you today?"

VOICEMAIL

"You've reached 4CoreLabs, Ozark's local computer repair and technology services. We're not available right now, but leave a message with your name and number and we'll get back to you within a few hours. You can also text this number or email hello@4corelabs.com. Thank you!"

4 ELEVATOR PITCHES (30 seconds each)

General

"4CoreLabs is a computer repair and technology services company right here in Ozark. We do everything from virus removal and PC builds to WiFi setup and business websites. No trip to Dothan needed."

Military Focus

"We serve Fort Novosel families with fast, reliable computer repair right here in Ozark. Free on-site visits on base and a 10% military discount on everything. We know PCS season is stressful — let us handle the tech."

Business Focus

"We keep small businesses running by handling all their tech — from computer repairs and WiFi fixes to monthly maintenance plans and business websites. Think of us as your IT department for a fraction of the cost."

GAIA Focus

"Through our GAIA Education program, we donate refurbished computers loaded with free AI-powered learning tools to orphanages and foster homes. Every repair we do helps fund the next donation."

TEXT REPLY TEMPLATES

New customer inquiry

"Hey! Thanks for reaching out. This is Joshua with 4CoreLabs. What's going on with your computer? I can usually give you a rough estimate right over text."

After diagnosis

"Hey [name]! I took a look at your computer and found [problem]. I can fix it for $[amount]. Should be done by [day]. You want me to go ahead?"

Repair complete

"Hey [name]! Your computer's all fixed up and ready to go. When can you pick up? We're at 338 Hawridge Rd, Ozark."

Review request (24 hours after)

"Hey [name]! Hope your computer is running great. If you have 30 seconds, a Google review would mean a lot: [link]. Thanks!"

Follow-up (2 days after)

"Hey [name]! Just checking in — how's your computer running? Anything feel off or not working right?"

Follow-up (1 week after)

"Hey [name]! It's been a week — everything still good with your computer? Don't forget you have a 30-day warranty if anything comes up."

Monthly check-in

"Hey [name]! Just wanted to check in. It's been a month since your repair — still running smooth? If you ever need anything, I'm right here: (334) 545-1076"

Retainer pitch follow-up

"Hey [name]! I was thinking — your office has [X] computers and no IT person. My business maintenance plan covers all of them for $[tier price]/month, first month free. Worth a conversation?"

FIRST 10 FACEBOOK POSTS

Post 1: Launch

"4CoreLabs is officially OPEN in Ozark! Computer repair, custom builds, WiFi setup, and more — right here in town. No trip to Dothan needed. Call or text (334) 545-1076 or visit 4corelabs.com. Military families get 10% off! 🖥️🔧"

Post 2: Social Proof

"Just finished a custom PC build for a Fort Novosel family moving here from Texas. Welcome to Ozark! This rig has an AMD Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, and an RTX 4060 — it's going to crush every game they throw at it. 🎮"

Post 3: Tech Tip

"Is your computer running slow? Before you buy a new one, try this: 1. Restart it (actually restart, not just close the lid) 2. Delete temp files (search %temp% in Windows) 3. Uninstall programs you don't use. If it's still slow after that, bring it in — a $75 tune-up might be all it needs."

Post 4: Military Focus

"PCS season tip: If you're moving to Fort Novosel and your computer is acting weird after the move, bring it by. Travel can loosen connections and mess up hard drives. I'll check it out for free — diagnostics are $40, applied to any repair you need."

Post 5: Service Spotlight

"Did you know I do WiFi setup? If your internet is slow or your WiFi doesn't reach your whole house, I can fix that. $100 for a complete WiFi setup and optimization. Your Netflix will thank you. 📶"

Post 6: Question

"Ozark question: What's the most annoying thing about your computer right now? Drop it in the comments — I might be able to help! 💻"

Post 7: Fun

"Fun fact: Your computer's hard drive is like a closet. The more stuff you cram in without organizing, the longer it takes to find anything. A $75 deep clean is like a professional organizer for your PC. 😂"

Post 8: GAIA

"Behind every 4CoreLabs repair is a bigger mission. Through our GAIA Education program, we donate refurbished computers loaded with free AI learning tools to kids who need them. Your repair helps fund the next donation. Tech for good. 💚"

Post 9: Social Proof

"'My laptop was so slow I was about to throw it out. Joshua had it running like new in 2 hours and only charged me $75. Best $75 I ever spent.' — 5-star Google review from a Fort Novosel spouse. Thank you for trusting 4CoreLabs!"

Post 10: Payday

"Happy payday Fort Novosel! If your computer's been making weird noises, running slow, or giving you the blue screen of death — now's the time to get it fixed before it becomes a bigger (and more expensive) problem. Call/text (334) 545-1076 💰"

RETAINER PITCH (60 seconds)

"[Name], I was thinking about your business. You've got [X] computers and every time something goes wrong, it costs you [time/money/lost work]. My business maintenance plan covers all your computers for $[tier]/month — I come out [1/2/4] times a month, keep everything updated, check for viruses, and you get same-day text support. First month is free, so there's zero risk to try it. If you're spending more than 2 hours a month dealing with computer problems, this pays for itself."

AUDIT PITCH

Quick Version

"I analyze your business and find specific opportunities to grow — competitors to learn from, local partnerships, online improvements, new revenue ideas. It's a 3-5 page report for $200-300."

Business Version

"I do something unique — I analyze your business from the outside and give you a report with 5-10 specific recommendations you can act on this week. Competitor analysis, local partnership opportunities, online presence gaps. Think of it as a tune-up for your business. $500 for the full report."

Retainer Version

"Since you're a retainer client, I'll throw in a free business audit this month. I'll look at your online presence, competitors, and find local partnership opportunities. 3-5 page report, no charge. Part of the partnership."

5 AI AUDIT PROMPTS

Customers don't know AI does this. These are for YOU to run behind the scenes. Compile results into a printed report.

Prompt 1: Competitor Analysis

"I'm a business consultant in Ozark, AL. My client is a [business type] in Dale County. Analyze their top 3 competitors within 50 miles. For each: what they do well, what they're missing, pricing patterns, online reviews summary, and 2 opportunities for my client to differentiate."

Prompt 2: Partnership Opportunities

"My client runs a [business type] in Ozark, AL. Find 10 local businesses within 30 miles that would make good referral partners. For each: business name, why it's a good fit, suggested referral arrangement, estimated referral value per month."

Prompt 3: Revenue Streams

"My client runs a [business type] in a small town in Alabama with 14,000 population. They currently only sell [current services/products]. Suggest 5 additional revenue streams they could add in the next 90 days with minimal investment. For each: estimated setup cost, estimated monthly revenue, and first 3 steps to launch."

Prompt 4: Online Presence

"Analyze the online presence of [business name] in Ozark, AL. Check their Google Business Profile, Facebook page, and website. Rate each 1-10. List what's missing, what's wrong, and give 5 specific improvements they should make this week to get more customers online."

Prompt 5: Customer Experience

"My client runs a [business type] in Ozark, AL. Analyze the customer journey from first contact to follow-up. What are they doing well? What are they missing? Suggest 5 specific improvements to increase customer satisfaction and repeat business."

REFERRAL PARTNER SCRIPT

"Hey [name], I run 4CoreLabs — computer repair here in Ozark. A lot of your customers probably have computer problems. What if we helped each other out? When your customers have computer issues, send them my way — I'll take care of them. When my customers need [their service], I'll send them to you. I can pay you $[amount] per referral. Sound fair?"

GAIA PITCH

"I run a program called GAIA Education. We donate refurbished computers loaded with free AI tutoring software to kids in need — orphanages, foster homes, after-school programs. It covers 51 subjects, from math and science to life skills and trades. All free. I'm looking for [partners/donations/locations] to help us reach more kids."

FOLLOW-UP SCHEDULE

WhenWhat to Say
24 hours after repair"Hey [name]! Hope everything's running great. Quick Google review would mean a lot: [link]"
2 days after"Hey [name]! How's the computer? Anything feel off?"
1 week after"Hey [name]! Everything still good? Remember, 30-day warranty if anything comes up."
1 month after"Hey [name]! Monthly check-in. Still running smooth? I'm here if you need anything."
Sponsor follow-up (1 week)"Hey [name], just checking in on the sponsorship conversation. Any questions?"
Sponsor follow-up (3 weeks)"Hey [name], following up one more time. Would love to have [business name] as a GAIA partner. No pressure — let me know."

SECTION 4: DATA ANALYST

Track your numbers. Know what's working. Kill what's not.

WEEK 1: SET UP YOUR SCOREBOOK
Your Notebook (Page by Page)
PageWhat Goes Here
Front Cover"4CORELABS SCOREBOOK" + "BREAK-EVEN: $310/mo"
Inside Front CoverQuick Reference (all phone numbers, emails, logins, page numbers)
Page 1Service Pricing (full price sheet — see Section 1)
Page 2Parts Markup + How Long Each Job Takes + $/Hour
Page 3Retainer Pricing (3 tiers)
Page 4Retainer Income Tracker (client list with tiers and dates)
Page 5AI Audit Pricing (4 types)
Page 6Audit Income Tracker + Workflow Checklist
Page 7Referral Partner List & Fees
Page 8Break-Even Math (expenses list)
Page 9"How Did They Find Us?" Tally
Page 10Linux Full Guide (see Section 6)
Page 11+DAILY TRACKER (one line per day)
Back of BookMonthly Scorecards (one page per month)
Back CoverYear 1 Targets Table
WEEK 2: KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

BREAK-EVEN MATH

Monthly Expenses: ~$310

Insurance: $60/mo
Phone: $50/mo
Hosting: $20/mo
Gas: $100/mo
Marketing: $30/mo
Misc: $50/mo

5 repairs × $75 = $375 = PROFITABLE
Everything after $311 is profit.

PARTS MARKUP

You PaidYou Charge
$20$25
$30$35
$40$50
$50$60
$60$70-75
$80$95
$100$120
$150$175-180
$200$240

Quick math: multiply by 1.2 or add 20% and round up.

WEEK 3: DAILY TRACKER

DAILY TRACKER (Page 11+)

Every day, ONE line, 60 seconds before bed:

Date | $ In | # Jobs | Expense | Leads | Tomorrow

Example: "Jul 8 | $175 | 2 (virus+WiFi) | $0 | 1 (referral) | call Mrs. Smith about retainer"

"HOW DID THEY FIND US?" TALLY (Page 9)

SourceTally
Facebook|||||
Google|||
Flyer||
Word of mouth||||
Spouse group||
Referral partner|
Walk-in / drive-by|

Update every Sunday. Double down on whatever source is #1.

WEEK 4: FIRST MONTHLY SCORECARD

MONTHLY SCORECARD TEMPLATE

MONTH: _______

MetricTargetActual
Total Income$________$________
Total Expenses< $310$________
Profit$________$________
Total Customers________________
Repairs Done________________
Home Setups________________
Digital Services________________
Audits Sold________________
Retainer Income$________$________
Referral Fees Earned$________$________
Google Reviews This Month________________
Facebook Followers________________
Referral Partners Active________________
GAIA Computers Donated________________
WEEKS 5-8: WATCH THESE 5 NUMBERS
Every Sunday, check these 5 numbers:
  1. Total income this month
  2. Number of customers this month
  3. Average repair price collected
  4. Number of Google reviews
  5. Number of leads (people who asked about services but haven't booked yet)
WEEKS 9-12: THE BIG DECISION (Month 3)

KILL IT OR KEEP IT RULES

KEEP IT if:

✓ 3+ customers per month for this service

✓ Profit margin above 50%

✓ Customers ask about it without prompting

✓ It leads to other services

KILL IT if:

✗ 0-1 customers in 3 months

✗ Takes more time than it's worth

✗ You hate doing it

✗ It's losing money (after Month 3)

PRICE RAISE RULES

Don't change prices for the first 3 months. After that:

TIME ALLOCATION RULE

60% of your time on the top 3 most-booked services
25% on repairs and custom builds
15% on everything else (audits, websites, GAIA, marketing)

SECTION 5: OPERATIONS MANAGER

Day-to-day execution — how to actually run this thing.

ADHD SURVIVAL GUIDE

Your 3 Rules (tape these to your wall):
  1. Maximum 3 priorities per week. Not 10. THREE.
  2. One thing at a time. Don't open Facebook, start a repair, and answer a text simultaneously.
  3. Same time, same day, every week. Retainer visits Tuesday. Marketing Friday. Scorecard Sunday night.

Weekly Planning (Sunday Night — 15 min)

  • Write down appointments for the week
  • Write down your 3 priorities (number them 1, 2, 3)
  • Write down who you need to follow up with
  • Set phone alarms for every appointment

Daily Planning (Morning — 2 min)

  • Look at your 3 weekly priorities
  • Pick ONE thing to do TODAY
  • Write it on a sticky note
  • Do that thing FIRST before checking Facebook
Overwhelmed? Stop. Breathe 30 seconds. Look at your 3 priorities. Pick #1. Do ONLY that. Nothing else matters until it's done. If you can't focus: do the EASIEST thing first — get a quick win.
Hyperfocused & productive? RIDE IT. Set timer for 90 minutes. Work straight through. When it beeps: 10-min break. Walk. Drink water. Then go again.

Phone Setup

  • Turn off ALL notifications except calls and texts
  • Delete Facebook app from phone — only use on laptop
  • Daily alarm 9 PM: "Daily Tracker"
  • Sunday alarm 8 PM: "Weekly Check-In"
  • Set alarms for every appointment

REPAIR WORKFLOW (8 Steps)

Step 1: Customer Contacts You
Phone: Answer. Use greeting. Ask what's wrong. Write down their description.
Text/Facebook: Reply within 30 minutes. Get phone number. Move to text.

Phone Diagnosis Guide:
They SayProbably MeansEstimate
"It's slow"Needs cleanup, maybe SSD upgrade$75 or $60+SSD
"Won't turn on"Power supply, motherboard, or loose cable$85+parts
"Blue screen"Driver issue or failing RAM/drive$75
"Weird noise"Failing fan or hard drive$15-50 part + $85
"Has a virus"Malware$75
"Won't connect to WiFi"Driver or router problem$75-100
"Keeps restarting"Overheating or failing hardware$75
Step 2: Drop-Off or On-Site
Step 3: Diagnosis
Step 4: Call the Customer
"Hey [name], I found the problem. [Explain in plain language]. I can fix it for $[X]. Parts: $[Y]. Done by [day]. Want me to go ahead?"

If YES → fix it. If NO → charge $40 diagnosis fee. If repair costs more than computer is worth → tell them honestly.
Step 5: Do the Repair

Virus Removal (1-2 hrs)

  • Boot into Safe Mode
  • Run Malwarebytes full scan
  • Run AdwCleaner
  • Remove suspicious browser extensions
  • Quick scan to confirm clean

PC Cleanup (45 min)

  • Task Manager → disable startup programs
  • Uninstall junk (toolbars, trial AV)
  • Disk Cleanup + delete temp files
  • Windows updates + drivers
  • Open case, blow out dust

SSD Upgrade (1 hr)

  • Clone old drive to new SSD (Macrium Reflect — free)
  • Swap drives
  • Boot and verify

Windows Install (30 min-3 hrs)

  • Boot from RESCUE USB
  • Full setup = drivers + updates + programs + user account + WiFi
Step 6: Test Before Returning
Step 7: Return to Customer
Step 8: Follow-Up

RETAINER VISIT WORKFLOW

Tier 1 (1 hour)

  • Check all computers: on? WiFi? Updated?
  • CrystalDiskInfo on each
  • Quick virus scan
  • Check printer: connected? Paper? Ink?
  • Ask: "Anything bothering you?"
  • Leave note

Tier 2 (2 hours)

  • Everything from Tier 1
  • Full virus scan on ALL computers
  • Check backups
  • Update ALL software
  • Clean temp files on all PCs
  • Check email setup
  • Test all peripherals
  • Ask about new employees

Tier 3 (4-5 hours)

  • Everything from Tier 2
  • Full maintenance (dust, software, updates)
  • Network security audit
  • Backup verification
  • Website check
  • Business tech roadmap: "Here's what I recommend for next 3 months"

CUSTOM PC BUILD WORKFLOW

DIFFICULT CUSTOMER PROTOCOLS

"You broke my computer!"

Stay calm. Don't argue. "I'm sorry. Let me look right now." If related to your repair: fix free. If not: show BEFORE photo + signed form. Offer cost-only fix as goodwill.

Won't pay

"I finished the repair as discussed. Total is $[X]." Offer payment plan: half now, half next week. If they ghost: one text, then write it off.

Asks for discount after quote

"I quoted $[X] and that's what it is. You're paying for quality work and a 30-day warranty." Never go below break-even.

Wants free work

"My diagnosis fee is $40 — applied to repair if you hire me." If no: "Here's my card."

DATA LOSS PREVENTION

Before EVERY Repair:
  • Take photo of computer powered on
  • Fill authorization form with data warning
  • Read data warning OUT LOUD
  • Have customer sign
  • If important files: offer backup first ($50)
  • Back up to YOUR external drive before risky repairs

BURNOUT PREVENTION

Sunday = REST. No exceptions. Ever.
Warning signs: don't want to answer phone, skipping tracker, snapping at people, no day off in 2+ weeks.

Prevention: max 6 work days/week, 8+ hrs of repairs = stop, every 3 months take a full weekend off, exercise 3x/week, sleep 7+ hours.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

DayFocus
MondayAdmin, follow-ups, planning
TuesdayRetainer visits (morning) + repairs (afternoon)
WednesdayRetainer visits (morning) + repairs (afternoon)
ThursdayTier 3 weekly visits + repairs
FridayRepairs, walk-ins, digital services
SaturdayRepairs, walk-ins, on-site visits
SundayREST

GAIA OPERATIONS

EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS

Phone dies/lost

Google Voice = cloud-based. Log in on any device. Back up contacts to Google. Tell regulars: "If you can't reach me, email hello@4corelabs.com"

Laptop dies

All templates in Google Docs = they survive. Scorebook is PAPER = survives everything except fire. Buy replacement ASAP.

Sick/injured

Call retainer clients: "Sick this week. I'll reschedule." Post on Facebook. Do NOT work through serious illness.

Legal threat

Stay calm. "I understand. Let me look into this and get back to you by tomorrow." Check authorization form. If your mistake: fix + offer discount. If serious: call insurance (State Farm 334-774-5156). Document everything.

SECTION 6: LINUX FULL GUIDE

Pros, cons, CPU/GPU compatibility, use cases, distros, and cheat sheets.

WHY LINUX?

TELL CUSTOMERS THIS:

✓ FREE — no license fees, ever

✓ NO VIRUSES — almost immune to malware

✓ FAST — runs great on old/slow computers

✓ SAFE — doesn't track you like Windows

✓ PRIVATE — no forced updates

✓ LASTS FOREVER — no "Windows expired"

✓ GREAT FOR KIDS — can't break it easily

BE HONEST ABOUT:

✗ Games — most PC games need Windows

✗ Software — Adobe, MS Office won't work

✗ Printers — some need extra setup

✗ WiFi — some cards need drivers

✗ Learning curve — different at first

AMD vs INTEL — CPU COMPATIBILITY

AMD CPUs (Ryzen 3/5/7/9 — all generations)

Best distro: Linux Mint Cinnamon or Ubuntu

✓ Open-source drivers BUILT IN

✓ No extra setup needed

✓ Ryzen works BETTER on Linux than Windows

✓ Radeon GPU (RX 5000/6000/7000): built-in AMDGPU drivers

✓ AMD APU (built-in graphics): works out of box

Rule: AMD = easy mode. Just install.

Intel CPUs (Core i3/i5/i7/i9 — 8th-14th Gen)

Best distro: Linux Mint Cinnamon or Ubuntu

✓ Open-source drivers BUILT IN

✓ No extra setup needed

✓ Intel GPU (UHD/Iris): drivers included

✓ Intel Arc GPU (A380/A750/A770): mostly works now

✓ Intel N100/N200 (budget): works perfectly

Rule: Intel = easy mode. Just install.

NVIDIA GPUs — SPECIAL HANDLING (both AMD and Intel PCs):
Nvidia drivers are NOT built in. After installing Linux:
Menu → Software Manager → search "Nvidia" → install driver.
Skip this = no graphics acceleration, screen lag, no gaming.
Older Nvidia (GTX 700 series or older) may need manual install.

WIFI CARDS — CHECK BEFORE INSTALL

WORKS (no setup)

✓ Intel WiFi (most Intel chips)

✓ Realtek RTL8822, RTL8852 (newer)

✓ Qualcomm QCA6174, QCA9377

✓ MediaTek MT7921

✓ Any USB WiFi dongle (plug in, works)

MIGHT NOT WORK

✗ Some Broadcom BCM43xx

✗ Some old Realtek RTL8723

✗ Some Killer Networking cards

✗ Some old Qualcomm Atheros


Fix: Buy $15 USB WiFi dongle on Amazon

WHICH DISTRO FOR WHICH USE CASE

💼 BUSINESS / OFFICE

Best: Linux Mint Cinnamon | Alt: Ubuntu, Zorin OS

Install: LibreOffice (Word/Excel/PowerPoint — FREE), Thunderbird (email), Zoom or Jitsi (video)

Good for: email, documents, spreadsheets, web, video calls, printing

Service: $175 (install + full setup)

🎮 GAMING

Best: Pop!_OS or Ubuntu | Alt: Nobara Linux

Install: Steam (SAME app as Windows), Proton (built into Steam — plays 80%+ Steam games on Linux)

Works: Most single-player, indie, strategy, simulation games

Does NOT work: Valorant, Fortnite, CoD Warzone (anti-cheat blocks Linux)

Check any game: protondb.com — type the game name

Performance: Same as Windows or BETTER on AMD

Service: $200 (gaming setup)

📺 STREAMING (Twitch / YouTube)

Best: Ubuntu or Pop!_OS

Install: OBS Studio (SAME as Windows), Streamlabs, Discord, Kdenlive (free video editor), DaVinci Resolve (free)

Audio: PipeWire — BETTER latency than Windows for streaming

Service: $175 (install + full setup)

🤖 AI PROGRAMMING / MACHINE LEARNING

Best: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or Pop!_OS

Install: Python 3, VS Code, Jupyter, Conda, CUDA Toolkit (Nvidia), PyTorch, TensorFlow

Nvidia GPU: CUDA = easy, works great

AMD GPU: ROCm (rocm.amd.com) — harder, works on RX 6000/7000

Install: Ollama (ollama.com) — run LLMs locally, FREE

Tell them: "Every AI developer in the world uses Linux. You're learning on the real thing."

Service: $200 (AI/programming setup)

📈 STOCK TRADING / FINANCE

Best: Linux Mint Cinnamon or Ubuntu

Works: TD Ameritrade (web), Fidelity, Robinhood, Webull, TradingView (all web-based)

Install: LibreOffice Calc (spreadsheets), GnuCash (accounting), Python + APIs for bots

Service: $175 (install + full setup)

🎬 VIDEO EDITING

Best: Ubuntu or Pop!_OS

Install: Kdenlive (like Premiere, FREE), Shotcut, DaVinci Resolve (free version), OBS, HandBrake, Audacity

NOT for: After Effects / Premiere Pro (use DaVinci instead)

Service: $175 (install + full setup)

🎵 MUSIC PRODUCTION

Best: Ubuntu Studio (audio-focused distro)

Install: Ardour (like Pro Tools, FREE), LMMS (like FL Studio, FREE), Audacity, Hydrogen, MuseScore, Reaper ($60)

Audio on Linux = BETTER for latency with PipeWire

Service: $175 (install + full setup)

🖥️ SERVER / SELF-HOSTING

Best: Ubuntu Server (no desktop, terminal only)

Install: Nextcloud (Google Drive alt), Pi-hole (ad blocker), Plex/Jellyfin (media), Minecraft server, Samba (file sharing)

Service: $250 (server setup)

👧 KIDS / FAMILY

Best: Linux Mint Cinnamon | Alt: Zorin OS

Install: LibreOffice, GCompris (educational games 2-10), TuxMath, TuxTyping, Scratch (learn to code)

Built-in: Parental Controls (Menu → System Settings → Parental Controls)

Great for ADHD/autism: no pop-ups, no forced updates, no distractions, simple layout, can't break it

GAIA donated computers: ALWAYS Linux Mint Cinnamon

Service: $175 (install + full setup)

👴 SENIORS / ELDERLY

Best: Zorin OS (looks EXACTLY like Windows 10/11)

Set: large icons, Firefox homepage = Google, pin favorites to taskbar

Remove: terminal icon from desktop (they'll panic if they open it)

Write them a card: 1. Green button = start menu. 2. Click "Files" to find docs. 3. Click X to close.

Service: $175 (install + full setup)

🐢 OLD / SLOW COMPUTERS (2015 or older)

1-2GB RAM: Linux MATE (lightest)

2-4GB RAM: Linux Mint MATE or Xubuntu

4GB RAM: Linux Mint Cinnamon

8GB+ RAM: Any distro

Sell it as: "Your computer isn't broken, it's drowning in Windows. Linux makes it run like new for $100."

Windows 11 on 4GB: barely usable, 3 min startup. Linux Mint on 4GB: fast, 30 sec startup.

Service: $175 (install + full setup)

DISTRO QUICK REFERENCE

DistroBest ForDownload
Linux Mint CinnamonMost people (default choice)linuxmint.com/download
UbuntuSlightly tech-savvy, good supportubuntu.com
Zorin OSSeniors, zero learning curvezorinos.com
Linux MATEVery old/slow PCs (1-2GB RAM)linuxmint.com/download
Pop!_OSGaming, better game compatpop.system76.com
Nobara LinuxGaming, all drivers pre-installednobara-project.org
Ubuntu StudioMusic productionubuntustudio.org

JOSHUA'S LINUX RULES

1. Default = Linux Mint Cinnamon (except gamers → Pop!_OS, seniors → Zorin OS, old PCs → MATE)
2. AMD or Intel = both work great. Don't worry about CPU.
3. Nvidia GPU → install driver FIRST. AMD/Intel GPU → no extra steps.
4. ALWAYS check WiFi with Live USB first. No WiFi = $15 USB dongle.
5. ALWAYS ask "What do you use your computer for?" THEN recommend right distro.
6. Give customers the cheat sheet. Walk through 15 minutes of basics.
7. GAIA computers = ALWAYS Linux Mint Cinnamon. No exceptions.
8. Upsell: "If Linux doesn't work out, I can put Windows back. But I bet you won't want to."

LINUX MINT CINNAMON CHEAT SHEET

Give this to customers after install.

What They WantWhere It Is in Linux Mint
Start menuGreen button, bottom left
My ComputerClick "Computer" on desktop
My DocumentsClick "Documents" on desktop
Control PanelMenu → System Settings
File ExplorerClick "Files" on desktop
Recycle BinTrash icon on desktop
Task ManagerRight-click panel → Task Manager
App StoreMenu → Software Manager
PrintersMenu → System Settings → Printers
WiFiClick WiFi icon, top right
VolumeClick speaker icon, top right
Shut downMenu → bottom right → Quit
RestartMenu → bottom right → Restart
Add userMenu → System Settings → Users

Keyboard Shortcuts

ShortcutWhat It Does
Ctrl + Alt + TOpen terminal
Ctrl + CCopy
Ctrl + VPaste
Ctrl + ZUndo
Alt + F4Close window
Super (Win key)Open start menu
Alt + TabSwitch windows

Basic Terminal Commands (for AI/coding customers)

sudo apt update         Check for updates
sudo apt upgrade        Install updates
sudo apt install [app]  Install a program
ls                      List files
cd [folder]             Open folder
pwd                     Show current location
cp [file] [location]    Copy file
mv [file] [location]    Move file
rm [file]               Delete file
mkdir [name]            Create folder
python3                 Open Python
clear                   Clear screen
exit                    Close terminal
  

Common Apps to Install

✓ LibreOffice (usually included)

✓ Firefox (usually included)

✓ VLC Media Player

✓ Spotify

✓ Discord

✓ Steam

✓ Google Chrome

✓ Kdenlive (video editing)

✓ GIMP (photo editing)

LINUX vs WINDOWS SELLING POINTS

LinuxWindows 11
CostFREE$139
VirusesAlmost noneTons
Speed on 4GB RAMFASTSLOW
PrivacyPrivateTracks you
UpdatesYour choiceForced
Gaming80% of Steam100%
Office suiteLibreOffice (FREE)Microsoft 365
AI developmentNative & bestWSL hack
Video editingDaVinci/Kdenlive (FREE)Premiere Pro
Music productionArdour/LMMS (FREE)FL Studio
Server hostingNativeNot really
Lifespan10+ years5-7 years
Best for old PCYESNO
Kid safeYESNO

FREE ALTERNATIVES TO WINDOWS PROGRAMS

Windows ProgramLinux Replacement
Microsoft OfficeLibreOffice (built in, FREE)
Google ChromeFirefox (built in)
Adobe PhotoshopGIMP (FREE)
Adobe PremiereDaVinci Resolve (FREE)
Adobe IllustratorInkscape (FREE)
FL StudioLMMS or Reaper (FREE/$60)
Microsoft OutlookThunderbird (FREE)
ZoomJitsi or Zoom (web)
TeamViewerRemmina (built in)
VLC PlayerVLC (SAME app)
SteamSteam (SAME app)
DiscordDiscord (SAME app)
SpotifySpotify (SAME app)
NetflixFirefox browser
ExcelLibreOffice Calc (FREE)
PowerPointLibreOffice Impress (FREE)
QuickBooksGnuCash (FREE)

LINUX SERVICE PRICING

ServicePrice
Linux install (labor only)$100
Linux install + full setup$175
Dual boot (Windows + Linux)$150
Linux gaming setup$200
Linux AI/programming setup$200
Linux business setup$200
Linux server setup$250

NOTEBOOK LAYOUT — Page by Page

Your physical notebook. Write this on the actual pages.

LocationWhat Goes HereReference
Front Cover"4CORELABS SCOREBOOK" + "BREAK-EVEN: $310/mo — 5 repairs = profitable" + "Everything after $311 is profit."
Inside Front CoverPhone, email, website, Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, bank, routing, EIN, sales tax, insurance, page numbers for pricing/retainer/audit/partner/trackerHome section
Page 1Full Service Pricing — all repairs, installs, home setup, digital servicesSection 1, Day 8
Page 2Parts Markup Table + How Long Each Job Takes + Money Per HourSection 4
Page 3Retainer Pricing (3 tiers: $100/$250/$500, first month free)Section 1, Day 8
Page 4Retainer Income Tracker — client list with name, tier, start dateSection 5
Page 5AI Audit Pricing (Quick $200-300, Full $500-1000, Sub $300-500/mo, Matchmaking $500-1000)Section 1, Day 8
Page 6Audit Income Tracker + 5-step audit workflow checklistSection 3
Page 7Referral Partner List — name, business, phone, fee, active?Section 5
Page 8Break-Even Math — monthly expense list totaling $310Section 4
Page 9"How Did They Find Us?" Tally — Facebook, Google, flyer, word of mouth, etc.Section 4
Page 10Linux Full Guide — CPU compat, use cases, distros, cheat sheet, selling pointsSection 6
Page 11+DAILY TRACKER — one line per day: Date | $In | #Jobs | Expense | Leads | TomorrowSection 4
Back of BookMonthly Scorecards — one page per month with full tracking templateSection 4
Back CoverYear 1 Targets: M1=$500, M2=$1K, M3=$1.5K ... M12=$8.5K, YEAR=$55KHome section

QUICK REFERENCE

PHONE NUMBERS

WhoNumberWhy
Alabama Secretary of State334-242-7200LLC filing
Alabama Dept of Revenue334-242-1170Sales tax
Ozark City Hall334-774-5771Business license
First National Bank of Ozark334-774-2511Business banking
Peoples Bank of Alabama334-774-9451Business banking
Regions Bank Ozark334-774-7225Business banking
State Farm Ozark334-774-5156Insurance
Fort Novosel Visitor Control334-255-1110Base access
Fort Novosel ACS334-255-2977Newcomer briefings
Ozark-Dale County Chamber334-774-6866Membership
Carroll High School334-774-5420Tech club
Ozark Public Library334-774-5480Free classes
4CoreLabs(334) 545-1076YOU

WEBSITES

SiteURLWhat For
Alabama LLCalabama.govStart LLC
Alabama Taxesrevenue.alabama.govSales tax
IRS EINirs.gov/ein-onlineFederal tax ID
Google Businessbusiness.google.comBusiness profile
Canvacanva.comCards + flyers
Windows Downloadmicrosoft.comRESCUE USB
DBANdban.orgWIPE USB
Rufusrufus.ieBootable USB
Linux Mintlinuxmint.comBOOT USB
Malwarebytesmalwarebytes.comVirus scan
CrystalDiskInfocrystalmark.infoDrive health
MemTest86memtest86.comRAM test
Macrium Reflectmacrium.comSSD cloning
PCPartPickerpcpartpicker.comCustom builds
ProtonDBprotondb.comLinux game compat
Ollamaollama.comLocal LLMs (free)
4CoreLabs4corelabs.comYour website

PARTS QUICK PRICES

Part~CostCharge
SSD 500GB$35$45
SSD 1TB$60$75
SSD 2TB$90$110
RAM 8GB DDR4$20$25
RAM 16GB DDR4$35$45
RAM 8GB DDR5$30$40
RAM 16GB DDR5$55$70
PSU 500W$50$60
PSU 750W+$80$95
Hard Drive 1TB$45$55
Laptop Screen$50-80$60-95
USB WiFi Dongle$15$25

Markup formula: cost × 1.2, round up.

MONEY PER HOUR

$/HourServices
$500/hrPartnership matchmaking
$150/hrFull audits, business websites
$125/hrRetainers (Tier 2/3)
$100/hrResumes, LinkedIn, WiFi, audit subs, Linux setup
$75/hrMost repairs
$60/hrHome setup jobs
$50/hrLinux install, data backup, transfers
$30-50/hrCustom PC builds (big total with parts)