One-man business in Durango dials in on device repair

Tech-Nichol owner repairs phones, laptops and tablets

By Mia Rupani Staff reporter

Saturday, Oct 28, 2017 6:03 AM

Nash McNichol, owner of Tech-Nichol, is one of the youngest business owners in Durango.

McNichol, 20, a self-taught technician, opened the electronic repair business at 736 Main Ave., Suite 6, in September.

He repaired his first phone when he was a sophomore in high school after dropping it in the Animas River.

Word spread quickly around the school, and McNichol found himself fixing other students’ phones.

“I started working with kids at Durango High School and advertising myself there,” he said.

“I was fixing people’s phones here and there.”

After graduating high school in 2015, McNichol started working at Cell Doctors, a now-closed phone repair shop in town.

He credits the job with giving him the knowledge to open his own business.

“They hired me on the spot and they made $3,000 that day,” McNichol said. “That job taught me what the industry procedures are and how to manage a business. Without that job, I probably wouldn’t be here.”

McNichol offers complete device repair on most phones, laptops and tablets.

He is able to fix a broad spectrum of damages, including broken phone screens, cameras, batteries and water damage.

“I love helping people,” he said. “I can do the homework for people and lead them in the right direction if I can’t fix a problem.”

McNichol said he deals primarily with Apple phones, but he is also able to fix Android and Samsung devices.

The cost to fix devices varies by job complexity, but all repairs start at $40.

“I do not charge if I don’t solve your problem,” he said.

McNichol accepts walk-ins and appointments at his office, and he will also do house calls by request.

“A lot of my business has been referrals,” he said.

“The best way to thank me is by leaving a review online.”

He said that he live-streams some of his device repairs, which people can watch on Tech-Nichol’s Facebook page. He also juggles his time at Tech-Nichol with a morning job at Durango Doughworks.

“Everyone loves these devices and they are very personal to people,” he said. “I love this business. I am one of the biggest nerds you will ever meet.”

Tech-Nichol is open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m.

mrupani@durangoherald.com