Joseph L. Burton, Owner of Door2Door Computer Services
When asked about his profession, Joseph L. Burton, a local business owner, gives this simple response. “I’m just a troubleshooter; I find trouble and I shoot it.” As the owner of Door2Door Computer Services, Joseph (Joe) gets the chance to shoot trouble daily. His company’s unique
selling position is to “bring quality computer service and repair to your front door.” Together with his staff, Door2Door delivers that promise to residential and business customers in the greater Lansing area.
After several years in the workforce, his company began serving Lansing in April 2003. “Although I enjoyed being an employee, I yearned to be an employer. I wanted a business of my own.” Daily Joe directs his company’s resources to solve problems such as spyware/virus removal, computer crash
recovery, hardware upgrades, software installation, networking support, laptop/desktop computer sales, and beyond. As the name of his company implies, most of their service is performed on the customer’s premises. “A computer is a great family and business appliance. But it’s the appliance
that needs the most attention.”
This “preacher’s kid” from Muskegon, Michigan did not know then that he would one day be an entrepreneur. Joe recalls that his early exposure to business in Muskegon was limited. “The small businesses that I knew of were Mr. Burt’s barber shop, Mr. Brewster’s candy store, Ms. Cigreez’s realty company, and Jimmy Lee’s ice cream bicycle cart. Because of the spotlight that they received, sometimes positive but otherwise downplayed by the community, I initially did not want to place myself in their shoes.” During high school Joe thought that he would combine the interests of his parents – his late father was a pastor and social worker, his mother an avid reader and writer of poetry – by becoming a teacher.
In the fall of 1990 Joe began studying at Michigan State University on a full-tuition academic scholarship. But he felt that college was not a free ride, so he sought opportunities to serve the Lansing community to return his gratitude. “My first business was barbering from my dorm room at MSU. I called it ‘Fresh Cuts’ and made just enough for pizza and pop on the weekends, while giving my customers a good deal.” Entrepreneurial endeavors aside, Joe worked during the summers and school year with youth ages 5-21 for the following organizations: Black Child and Family Institute, Letts Community Center, Community Mental Health, and the Youth Development Corporation. Changing his major from general teaching, to science teaching, Joe eventually graduated from MSU with bachelor degree in Family in Community Services in 1995.
Ready to hit the pavement running Joe eventually changed his attitude about that career field and employment in general. He discovered the difference between seeking the appropriate “career context” versus chasing acceptable “career content.” To elaborate, he simply preferred and thrived on working in different work settings everyday, while performing non-routine tasks. Upon this realization, Joe explored the career paths of office administrative assistance, street promotion for the music industry, school counseling, and computer software training, each allowing him to work within the parameters of his desired career context.
Nowadays, instead of working for community non-profits he volunteers for them. Joe has aligned his community service with his passions – youth and entrepreneurship. He and his wife Demetria are the parents of five children ages 5, 7, 9, 11, and almost 13 (Ananda, Sekou, Tariq, Akilah and Khalil, respectively). As such, youth are a central focus of his life. He teaches children ages 7-11 in his weekly Sunday School classroom at the Lansing Church of God in Christ. He is also a group leader of youth ages 12-18 at his church, meeting with them twice monthly to discuss Christian topics from a contemporary perspective. Joe also coaches a 5-6 year old soccer team that plays in the Lansing Parks and Recreation youth soccer league. “My father died at age 36 when I was twelve years old. So I remind myself to be involved in my children’s life as much as possible.”
To encourage entrepreneurship in the community Joe serves on the board of the Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund, an organization that assists small businesses with financial and educational assistance. The LCMF has courses designed to help prospective entrepreneurs plan their business and to assist current business owners in their operations. Both course focus on the value of writing a business plan. Furthermore, the LCMF gives business loans from $500 to $10,000 to ‘approved’ applicants. He supports youth entrepreneurship training as well. Two years ago Joe helped his eldest son and daughter start their own businesses, complete with DBAs, business cards, and raw materials. “I want all my children to get their ‘business license’ before they get their driver’s license.” He is presently preparing for board membership with Successful Futures, Inc., a Lansing non-profit organization that encourages youth through training in ethical values, financial awareness, career awareness and entrepreneurship. Whether supporting youth, encouraging new businesses, meeting with his business colleagues or serving his customers, Joe plans to “shoot trouble” for years to come.
You can reach Joe at 517-487-2740.
