We had the good fortune of connecting with Connor Frothingham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Connor, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
First, I always reflect on the initial reasons that motivated me to start a project and whether they still hold value in my life and inspiration. If it is something that I still feel passionate about, I will genuinely continue going. Also, if this project would influence the masses positively, and inspire their lives, I am moved to keep going.
Second, I would evaluate my progress and my goals versus the time and results obtained in the journey. If the goals are still too far compared to the amount of time and effort invested in the project, I would reconsider to keep going. For instance, if by continuing the project, I could jeopardize my well-being, or continue high costs with limited results, I would have to reassess the plan.

Third, I would seek advice from mentors and people with more experience and knowledge in the field and ask for their insight on the project. This will assist me in reevaluating the plan continuation while helping me to renew an actionable plan, resources increase, and chances of success.

Regardless, in any project I start in life, I consider an experience gained whether choosing to stop or not, the experience will always help me to suit in my next endeavor and
become effective at the effort.

What should our readers know about your business?
At the age of 13, most kids are navigating the complexities of middle school ~ and trust me, it is hard when it comes to enduring class with malicious classmates ~ but I chose a productive and positive way to channel my energies and focus on something I am very passionate about computers. I found myself embarking on an extraordinary journey—one that not only defines my dreams but also sets the cornerstone for a burgeoning career in computer engineering. My story is not just about a young entrepreneur who started a Custom PC Building Company; it’s a narrative of dreams, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

What Sets Me Apart

In a realm dominated by seasoned professionals, what truly sets me apart is my youthful perspective coupled with an unquenchable thirst for innovation. My journey began with a simple curiosity about how computers work, leading to countless hours of self-study, online courses, and dismantling old computers to understand their inner components. This hands-on experience, blended with a fresh approach to technology, allows me to bring unique solutions to the table—solutions that resonate with a demographic often overlooked by traditional businesses.

A Journey Paved with Pride and Excitement

Among my achievements, what fills me with the most pride is the successful fusion of passion and philanthropy. My company doesn’t just build custom PCs; it empowers users, enabling them to unlock their full potential, whether for gaming, working, content creation, or education.

The Road Less Traveled: Overcoming Challenges

Embarking on this professional journey at such a young age was far from easy. Balancing school, business, and the skepticism of naysayers required not just determination but also a mature understanding of priorities. The greatest challenge was earning the trust of clients and partners who were initially hesitant to take a young entrepreneur seriously. Overcoming these obstacles involved a mix of proving my technical expertise and control of social media to build a brand that resonates with authenticity and expertise.

Lessons Learned on the Path to Success

The journey taught me invaluable lessons about the importance of perseverance, the value of continuous learning, and the power of a supportive community. Each challenge was a lesson, teaching me that setbacks are merely setups for comebacks. Perhaps the most crucial lesson learned was the importance of empathy in technology—understanding that at the end of every device we build is a human being with dreams, needs, and aspirations.

A Message to the World

As I continue to navigate the exciting world of computer engineering and entrepreneurship, I want the world to know that age is only a number when it comes to innovation and making a difference. My brand and story stand as a testament to the fact that with passion, resilience, and a willingness to learn, anyone can turn their dreams into reality.

Through my journey, I hope to inspire a new generation of young innovators to break the mold, chase their passions, and create a future where technology serves as a bridge to opportunities, not a barrier. The story of my Custom PC Building Company is just the beginning. With each computer we build, we’re not just assembling parts; we’re building dreams, empowering individuals, and inspiring a movement that believes in the power of youth to reshape the world.

As I look to the future, my heart is set on continuous innovation, breaking new ground in computer engineering, and expanding my efforts to make technology accessible to all. The road ahead is long and undoubtedly filled with challenges, but with a steadfast spirit and a community of supporters, the possibilities are limitless.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As I am passionate about technology and entrepreneurship. I would focus on talking to my friend about how I started my own PC building company at 13 years old and how this unique perspective will guide the tour of my home favorite spaces to work and the city where I live to explain my steps and places I visited while I was creating my business.

Day 1: Dive into the Tech Scene: My Home

• Let’s begin: Stepping into my room and office at my home, one is immediately struck by a space where creativity and technology merge. Each corner is meticulously designed, not just for living but for inventing the future, piece by piece. From the space lighting to the wall design, decoration, and building PCs, the place boosts creativity.

• The Heart of Innovation: My Room and Office are a workshop where the magic happens – My PC-building workspaces. These workshops are a haven for creativity and technological exploration. Here, desks loaded with tools and components await the touch of invention. The organization is intentional, mirroring the precision required in PC building, while open spaces invite brainstorming and new projects.

• Designed for Creativity – The rest of my home is designed to inspire. Natural light floods in, highlighting walls adorned with tech-inspired art, botanical décor, and schematics of inventions. White and light neon colors are chosen for their ability to stimulate the mind and soothe the soul, creating a backdrop that encourages creative thought.

• A Personal Touch – Each element in my home tells a story, a chapter from my journey into the world of technology and entrepreneurship. For instance, the first time I built a PC, my dining room became a tech warehouse and tech school for computer hardware self-taught courses.

• The Core of Collaboration – My home is more than just a personal sanctuary; it’s a core for collaboration. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and modern PCs in everyone’s offices, as my family works from home, the ample collaborative spaces, are a place where my family and other fellow tech enthusiasts gather to share ideas, tackle challenges, and fuel each other’s creativity.

• Future Thoughts: A Foundation for the Future in every wire soldered and every circuit built within these walls, my home stands as the foundation of my aspirations. It’s here that I not only build PCs but also construct my future in the tech industry, one innovation at a time.

Day 2: Tech trip in the city
• Morning: Start with a visit to a local electronics store, center for electronics, tech products, and computer hardware stores. This not only provides a great vision of tech advancements but also offers a glimpse into the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation in my area.
• Lunch: Eat at a café or restaurant known for being a hangout for local entrepreneurs and techies. It’s a great way to feel the pulse of the city’s innovative minds.
• Afternoon: Tour a local university’s engineering department or a tech museum. I can provide insight into the academic side of tech and its history in my area.
• Evening: Dinner at home with friends and family who are related to my tech efforts and contribute wisely about entrepreneurship tips. This experience offers great instruction and a personal understanding of sharing my life with like-minded individuals and is a great example of family support.

Day 3: Leisure and Inspiration
• Morning: Engage in a community service activity that involves technology. It’s a fulfilling way to give back and share my passion.
• Lunch: Enjoy a picnic at a local park, where we can brainstorm or work on a small project in a relaxed setting.
• Afternoon: Play tennis. I love sports and physical activities like tennis with more intellectually demanding tasks can create a great balance. It’s widely recognized that exercise can significantly boost brain function, improving areas such as memory, concentration, and creativity.
• Evening: Host a small get-together chess event with friends and family! Playing a game of chess is a fun and engaging way to exercise the brain.

Day 4: IT Workday
• Morning: Perform my part-time IT job and invite my friend as an intern for the day. As an IT crew member for my family’s company, I can incorporate personal anecdotes and experiences that highlight my journey in tech and entrepreneurship.

• Lunch: Sushi at my desk is one of my traditions, I enjoy having lunch while working. Eating lunch while working can certainly help maintain the momentum, especially on busy days or when I am deeply engrossed in a project. It helps me to stay in the flow of work and leads to higher productivity levels.

• Afternoon: Review the story of my tech career and personal life in a photo tour from my computer of the places I visited, learned, and the activities I engaged in my lifetime. Reviewing one’s lifetime through a photo tour is an insightful experience. Photos capture moments in time, preserving memories, emotions, and the contexts of our experiences. In my case, it reminds me of the different periods of my life, when I gained a unique perspective on my personal growth, achievements, challenges, and the entrepreneurial journey I started.

• Evening: Have a session to review our week’s activities, what we enjoyed the most, and the local areas we liked best. End with reflections on the week we shared and the experiences that we had. Emphasize how all the activities that I taught my friend inspired me to find my passion as a computer engineer and entrepreneur.

Day 5: Fond Farewell
• Play golf! Regardless of my young age, I played golf for 11 consecutive years from age 2 to now. Playing golf is a fantastic way to enhance strategic thinking. The game requires players to constantly make decisions that test planning, problem-solving, and risk-assessment skills. Each shot requires a blend of tactical consideration and physical execution, much like moving pieces on a chessboard but with the added dimensions of varied terrain and weather conditions.

• Departure Surprise! Before my friend took off to the airport, I gave him the PC that I built for him. I personalize this gift for him as I am especially bonded to computer building and it also reflects my care for my friend as I wanted to tailor the system that fits his needs best.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I come from a family deeply rooted in innovation and academia. My parents are pioneers in the field of hotel revenue management, a testament to their forward-thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. Meanwhile, my sister is making strides in astrobiology, currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Edinburgh after graduating from Harvard. Her master’s research was featured on BBC Television of England. Their paths, marked by dedication and a pursuit of excellence, have profoundly shaped my own.

Growing up, I was fascinated by my parents’ ability to blend analytical rigor with creative strategy in their work. They taught me the importance of data-driven decision-making, but also the courage it takes to innovate and lead in uncharted territories. Their example instilled in me an entrepreneurial mindset from a young age, showing me that with the right blend of analysis and creativity, I could carve out my path in the business world.

My sister’s journey, from Harvard to pursuing a PhD in Astrobiology, has been a source of inspiration in its own right. Watching her dedication to exploring the unknown, to contributing to a field that extends beyond our immediate world, has encouraged me to think big and beyond traditional boundaries. Her relentless pursuit of her passions reminded me that with hard work and vision, it’s possible to break new ground.

In reflecting on my journey to entrepreneurship, it’s clear that my family’s pioneering spirit, combined with their dedication and innovative thinking, has been pivotal. They’ve instilled in me a blend of curiosity, resilience, and a drive to innovate, which are the cornerstones of my entrepreneurial endeavors. Their examples have taught me not just to find gaps in the market, but to approach them as opportunities for meaningful innovation and impact.

I’m profoundly grateful for the influence my family has had on my professional path. Their achievements and the lessons they’ve imparted have equipped me with a unique perspective on entrepreneurship. Inspired by their spirit, I’m committed to pushing boundaries in my ventures, hoping to inspire others just as my family has inspired me.

Website: https://www.aurora-pcs.com/

Other: arise.aurorapcs@gmail.com

Image Credits
Photographer: Tato Gomez

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