What is now a staff of 35 began as two people. In 2003, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo freshmen Kyle Wiens and Luke Soules started selling laptop parts out of a dorm room. When they couldn’t find manufacturer-issued repair guides, they wrote their own. The first manual they posted online got 10,000 page views in the first weekend.
They moved their business to a three-car garage, then a house, then a loft-like two-story office in downtown San Luis Obispo. Most IFixit employees are younger than 35. Many grew up taking apart toasters.
Last year (2010) IFixit earned $5.9 million in revenue by selling parts, kits and tools. Some of their more popular items include a “spudger” to adjust small wires, a five-sided screwdriver that fits Apple’s proprietary screws, and a magnetic mat to keep track of tiny pieces that come loose.
Great profile of a cool company, a cause + business.
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