This is Kerron Manwaring. Kerron started Silent Knight Systems LLC after being unemployed in 2011. He is currently a fulltime Test Engineer as well as being the owner/ iPhoneDeveloper at Silent Knight.
Kerron has many different interests, DJing, electronics, hobby robotics, automotive performance – plus he attends graduate school at Fairleigh Dickenson University for Computer Engineering.
What do you do for work right now?
Test Engineer at a big company.
Tell us a little about your side business?
My company is Silent Knight Systems LLC, I started it up when I was unemployed. I develop & sell iPhone apps on the app store. The mobile app business is very empowering, because it only costs time for development and the customers have easy access to my apps worldwide 24/7 with no limit how much can be sold.
My app descriptions are translated in all the native languages that iTunes allows which makes it even easier for international customers understand the app’s features.
Silent Knight Systems also focuses on prototype development and Engineering consulting.
What is the ideal structure for your business?
I want to keep my business online because I want to have a global reach. Locally I want to have a personal feel working with one to one consulting and designing prototypes.
Why do you want to stop working for other people?
I want a flexible lifestyle where I can travel a lot and build up something of my own. I hate the sense of dependency that comes from working for someone else.
Have you gotten started in your own business?
Yes! Although I am currently employed I have the essential infrastructure in place, I have a registered company, a website and an income stream from App store sales.
I am learning more about the tax and legal aspects of owning a business. I am still deciding on a company logo.
How much more or less money do you expect to make than you do as an employee?
I have an engineer’s salary as an employee. I have faith in myself to possibly be wealthier and have a flexible lifestyle working for myself in the future.
Do you consider yourself to be financially stable?
Not really but I would rather have a skill set and knowledge that’s very valuable as collateral.
Do you have health insurance?
Yes, through my current employer.
How specifically do you look for new work?
I am really looking for inspiration & new ideas, but I post ads on Craiglist and Facebook. I exhibit at fairs (3 time World Maker Faire exhibitor!) and word of mouth.
Are the people around you supportive or dismissive?
I really do this alone for myself. I get a lot of dismissiveness but I have a lot of confidence in myself.
Do you continually need to explain why you’re doing what you do?
I stop explaining it to people because they will never understand the logic.
Are you optimistic about your next steps?
Always. I am pursuing a Masters degree in computer engineering to help give me more credibility, growth and to bring in new ideas.
Link to Kerron’s company Silent Knight Systems, LLC