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Tim Flachman Point of Sale Systems and Software
Personal
How it started: Tim grew up in the Lutheran church. He had a hunger for the Lord, but lacked the power to live a victorious Christian life. Tim went to a Lutheran college for three years. The summer after his freshman year he was a counselor at a summer camp and had an experience with the Lord that resulted in real salvation. It was also there that he met Kari. At the time of their marriage, they were involved in a church that emphasized ministry and giving Generosity and marketplace ministry are still high on Tim’s list of values.
During the first years of their marriage, Tim worked as a waiter in a local restaurant. One daily frustration for Tim was the inefficient programming of the computerized cash registers, otherwise know as point-of-sale. Tim had the responsibility to train other servers and most of the training was spent on running the point-of-sale system. Tim was granted permission to work on the system and put his aptitude for technology and computers to work reprogramming the software to make it more efficient. This reprogramming resulted in reducing server training on the point-of-sale systems from 3 days to 1. From there, he moon-lighted fixing similar issues in other businesses and transitioned into a management position at another restaurant during this season. One of the regional point-of-sale vendors offered him a sales position which eventually resulted in an opportunity to run a branch office in Charlotte, NC. That regional point-of-sale vendor’s business failed over a partnership in a restaurant. Lacking a source of income, Tim picked up the pieces and started his own business. What started as a brick and mortar business has developed into an almost entirely online sales channel. POSNation.com is an industry leader in the push to offer complete point-of-sale systems over the internet with prices clearly marked, including the ability to customize a complete system online.
Personal Passion: Tim’s goal is to live out Genesis 12:2-3; to be blessed by God and to bless the nations. His background promoted a belief that, “you can’t out-give God.” That God blesses us according the amount we give. That turned out to be a form of fear-based bondage. Businesses can be bankrupted by over-zealous owners that neglect the realities of their company finances and try to give their way out of problems. Having learned that lesson, Tim is positioning his business to prosper and provide a base for a ministry of giving financially and for interpersonal marketplace ministry.
Personal Benefit: Tim enjoys the entrepreneurial aspect of his business. His combination of business, people, and technical skills provides a means of helping other business owners. He is able to bias the software to make it easy for employees to run it. He also has the experience background to relate to restaurant owners. He loves going to work and bringing value to his customers.
Tim has four employees, all Christians, who share his vision for the business. He enjoys mentoring them toward the shared goal of building God’s Kingdom.
Value to others: Point-of-sale systems often have hidden costs and commitments to vendor services that aren’t obvious at the first sale. Tim is very transparent about those future costs and guides customers into decisions that are best for their business. Customers appreciate the honesty and value Tim brings to their business. Maintenance and down time are minimized.
God is also giving him divine appointments for personal ministry. He recently prayed for a customer whose child was hospitalized and wouldn’t eat – the result was healing. He has a similar experience with a customer that had cancer and was healed, although the customer gave the credit to the doctor.
Business Potential (upside): Tim enjoys the variety of working with technology and people. His business is growing and Tim’s goal is to out-give “Bill Gates” in his industry. Right now Tim’s web presence is one vehicle for multiplying his business.
Complexities, failures (downside): Software and computers, like cars, require fixing and maintenance periodically. Some customers have problems, (sometimes self-inflicted), and feel victimized by the provider or the situation and can blame Tim. He is usually able to resolve their issues promptly but still has to endure the wrath of their impatience.
Vision for the Kingdom: Tim has a heart for helping others to get involved in Kingdom business. In the future he hopes to write a book detailing the steps involved in starting a business. He also has a vision to partner with new businesses to provide a portion of the start-up expenses in exchange for a share of the company. His heart is to respond to Christians that have a good idea to start a business but lack the finances necessary for start-up via finances and guidance for a web site, advertising, and administrative support. His experience and practical help would propel business through there start-up phase with ease.
Impact from Releasing Kings: The book fanned the flames of a ministry vision that was already burning in Tim’s heart and the hearts of other businessmen he fellowships with. It caused them to pursue their entrepreneurial heart and confirmed the legitimacy of their ministry in the marketplace. The book brought focus to their goals and ministry in the marketplace.
How Can Tim Help You? Tim has the Father’s heart to help others through the start-up phase in their business. His book isn’t written yet; and the details of partnering with a new business are still unfolding. It’s clear those things are coming and even at present he is a rich source of counsel if you’re contemplating a new business – Call him!
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