Nerds On Call Computer Repair Redding began in February 2004, although its exact location has changed over the years.
When we started the company near the beginning of the millennium, we worked out of the Eldridges’ house! All advertising was done through a newspaper ad, and our company phone was Andrea’s cell. Our first Nerd was Shawna Bell, who worked in the extra room of their house, watching a crazy squirrel while helping customers. At the time, she was the entire call center. It now takes a lot more people just to do that job! Shawna recalls working in the office with Roxie and Sparky – not her assistants, but the Eldridges’ dogs.
Back in those days, Andrea lived on a diet of Hot Pockets, as she had no time to cook, and Ryan actually took calls and worked until midnight, unlike now. I hope he doesn’t read this.
A couple months after working in these cramped conditions (and as the heat in Redding was starting to go up), Nerds On Call Computer Repair Redding got its own office in the Shervan Square building. In that location, our office was an old radio station, and the next-door neighbors were a tattoo and piercing parlor, with a cheesecake restaurant downstairs. Andrea enjoyed the upgrade from Hot Pockets to cheesecakes.
After a few years of working in that location, Nerds moved to a much larger office on Oregon Street in Redding. It is now the corporate office and where the Online Support center is based. If you ever call us, you’ll probably be talking to someone in that very building. If you go by there, you can see our cartoon Nerds on the signage above the door.
In 2010, we opened a retail store. It’s next to the Target – if you go there, you’ll see a big Nerds On Call Computer Repair Redding sign next to the big red store. Here anyone can come in and get their computer fixed or talk to knowledgeable Nerds, like Sydnee and Rich. We’ve got a big workbench in the back that always has computers getting fixed being moved through it.
Redding has also been the site of a few advertising experiments. Way back when we started in 2004, we aired television commercials on local stations. If you’ve been in the area for a while, you’ll probably remember them! Then let’s not forget the infamous summer of sign waivers…
We hope to stay in our home city for many more years to come. Redding has been good to us and we’re proud to be based here. Much thanks from the people here at Nerds On Call to the city of Redding!
About The Author: Andrea Eldridge is CEO and co-founder of Nerds On Call, a computer repair company that specializes in on-site and online service for homes and businesses. Andrea is the writer of a weekly column, Nerd Chick Adventures in The Record Searchlight. She prepares TV segments for and appears regularly on CBS, CW and FOX on shows such as Good Day Sacramento, More Good Day Portland, and CBS 13 News, offering viewers technology and lifestyle tips. See Andrea in action at callnerds.com/andrea/.
P.S. If you’re in need our help and you live in the Redding or nearby Shasta area, visit our main service computer repair Redding CA page and we’ll take care of you!
