This year marks a special milestone for Skycomp: 22 years in business.
We recently celebrated the occasion the best way we know how – with a backyard BBQ, sweet treats, music, games, and the people who have made this journey possible. While anniversaries are a time to celebrate accomplishments, they’re also a chance to reflect on where it all began.
And honestly? The story of Skycomp isn’t one of overnight success or a grand master plan.
It’s a story of determination, hard work, and a young entrepreneur who simply wanted to sell computers.
The Beginning of an Entrepreneurial Journey
To understand Skycomp’s story, you first have to understand our founder and CEO, Serge.
Some people seem destined for entrepreneurship from a young age. They naturally look for opportunities, enjoy solving problems, and dream of building something of their own. Serge was one of those people.
As a teenager, he wasn’t envisioning a large IT company or a team of dozens of employees. He just wanted to sell computers to friends and family. But there was one problem: computers were expensive.
After discovering that registered businesses could purchase computers at wholesale prices, Serge made a decision that most teenagers wouldn’t even consider. At just 16 or 17 years old, he walked to downtown St. Catharines and registered a business.
This was long before online registrations and digital forms. Starting a business meant visiting an office, talking to real people, and filling out paperwork in person.
What makes this story even more remarkable is that the building where he registered that business offered a view of the office Skycomp would eventually occupy years later. At the time, he had no way of knowing that he was looking at a small piece of his future.
Building Something While Building a Life
The business started small, but the entrepreneurial mindset never went away.
Over the years, Serge continued to work in IT-related roles while growing his client base through word-of-mouth referrals and trusted relationships. Local businesses, friends, and connections began relying on him for technology support and guidance.
One opportunity became a turning point.
A larger company needed assistance with relocating its technology infrastructure and invited bids for the project. Serge submitted a proposal – and won.
The challenge was that he was still working a full-time job.
During lunch breaks, he would leave work, head to the project site where two friends were helping manage the move, oversee progress, and then return to work before the afternoon started.
At the same time, life wasn’t slowing down. A new baby was on the way, and family responsibilities continued to grow.
Like many entrepreneurs, Serge learned an important lesson early on: if you can’t find the time, you have to make the time.
Taking the Leap
Twenty-two years ago, Serge made the decision that would change everything.
He left the security of his full-time job and committed himself fully to building Skycomp.
It was a leap of faith – one made without any guarantee of success.
Like most successful businesses, growth didn’t happen overnight. It came from consistently delivering quality service, building trust, adapting to change, and focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term wins.
As technology evolved, so did Skycomp. The company refined its focus, embracing the Managed Services model and helping businesses throughout Niagara and beyond navigate an increasingly complex technology landscape.
More Than a Business
Today, Skycomp looks very different from those early days.
What started as a teenager selling computers has grown into a company with:
- A dedicated office building in downtown St. Catharines
- A team of more than 35 talented professionals
- Strong partnerships throughout the industry
- Long-standing relationships with clients across Niagara and beyond
- Deep roots within the local community
But while the company has grown, one thing has remained consistent: the belief that success is built through people.
A Team Effort
If you’ve ever met Serge, you’ll know that talking about himself is not something he enjoys.
In fact, whenever conversations turn toward Skycomp’s success, he is usually quick to redirect the credit to the people around him.
The reality is that Skycomp’s story isn’t just Serge’s story.
It’s the story of the leaders who helped shape the company. It’s the story of team members who consistently go above and beyond for clients. It’s the story of partners who trust us, clients who choose to work with us, and a community that continues to support local business.
Building a company for 22 years takes vision, but sustaining one takes an incredible team.
Looking Ahead to Year 23
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re grateful for everyone who has been part of the journey.
To our employees, thank you for your passion and dedication.
To our partners, thank you for your collaboration and support.
To our clients, thank you for trusting us with your businesses and technology.
To our community, thank you for helping make Niagara a place where businesses like ours can grow and thrive.
And to Serge, thank you for taking that leap of faith 22 years ago.
The first 22 years have been an incredible journey. But we’re not looking backward for long.
We’re already focused on what’s next.
Here’s to continued growth, innovation, stronger relationships, and an exciting Year 23.
Happy 22nd Anniversary, Skycomp. 🎉