Why I sold my company | The TechnoBuffalo Truth 

I'm getting kind of chocked up reading the comments here. Thank you guys.

Fascinating story, Jon. Thank you for taking the time to share. I remember watching your content in the 2010-2016 era as a Jr High and High School student. As a viewer, I couldn’t tell any of the struggles you were going through. None of that came through to me on camera. Your behind-the-scenes story here really shows the grit, persistence, and hardships that went in to building the TechnoBuffalo brand. I am particularly grateful you took the time to share how your time was split between the website and RU-vid, and how you wish you had managed your time & priorities differently. I currently have a RU-vid channel and Website as a single creator, and I feel I am struggling with similar decisions. So your story was helpful to me. I am sorry for the struggles you went through, and I am glad you feel you have found your voice, your confidence, and your passion again. Cheers.

I have been watching you since the Jon4Lakers days. I’m so happy you’ve found your bliss and I wish you continued success!

Yourself, Michael Fischer, Noah, Aaron Baker, Brandon Miniman, and Lisa from Mobiletechreview are the OG's and will alway be the best. Some may not be in the tech space anymore but throughout you all always stayed true. Some newer reviewers in the last 5+ years have grown so much so quickly that their videos seem like marketing more for the product than an actual review.

TechnoBuffalo got me into tech. I am eternally greatful for that. Now, I work in IT with a mission to become an InfoSec Professional doing incident response. Thank you Jon. I had no idea the extent of the challenges you faced. These tell all videos have been tremendously informative. I am sorry the road has been tough, and delighted to hear that you are happy now.

Back in 2008-2010 there’s only two tech website and channel I watch.. one of it is yours.. I won’t be doing what I’m doing right now (reviewing tech) without having you and your work in my life Thank you and keep having fun!

I have a weird nostalgia for TechnoBuffalo, but more for Jon4Lakers. I remember being very interested in a phone sold by AT&T, it was basically a sidekick knock off. I was about 11 at the time, and even though I don’t remember what the phone was even called, I definitely remember the video. It was one of the first tech videos I saw, and first videos I saw in RU-vid period, along with a video about NetBooks by TigerDirect. I remember every part of your video. Weird how time flies. Thanks for your time.

I was here during the Jon4Lakers days!!! Proud of you my brother!!!

Hey Jon, you may not even see this. But just wanted to share your early videos are what got me into tech or at least had some sort of impact. Crazy to think I was watching when TechnoBuffalo started. Since then I’ve now recently graduated with a degree in software engineering. Wild how little things can have such a massive impact and may not even know it. Pretty darn cool -Andrew

Jon - i used to be droadtrip. I don't blame you for not remembering, but we were like kids back in 2005/2009 making simple at-home videos and Jon4lakers commented to my videos on occasion. You went on with enviable business ventures. I lost my job in '09 and slowly had to re-invent my business career ever since. What i am trying to say is i appreciate you.

As an original follower, your journey has been a ride but you’ve accomplished a lot. One of the Originals. You deserve a movie 1 day (seriously)! Keep it up and we’re all here supporting you!💪🏼🙌🏼

Huge respect to you for being able to open up like this. Hope to see you & the crew again soon!

Great video and probably one of your best. Twenty three years ago I sold my business in sales that myself and a friend of mine started. After eight years I was miserable and hated going to work. People think that if you have a business you are very wealthy but they don’t see the costs. I was so happy when another competitor company came in and asked if I wanted to sell. My partner had left a year prior and I said yes. They wanted me to stay 6 months and I said no but agreed to stay a month and was longest month of my life. I was in my forties and went into Law Enforcement and still there although now am in Administration and have a regular job Monday through Friday plus have retirement when I get ready to do so which may not me too much longer. Make pretty good money these days. Been very happy since and that is what is most important. I am older now but love tech and have since I was young. Love RU-vid and thought about doing a channel someday. Thanks again.

This has surfaced in my feeds for the past few days, and I never stopped to watch your video before now. WOW! Good for you for landing where you are and realizing when to say when. I have followed you (recently, a few months back, I rediscovered you) for a long time and never knew what you were going through. Accordingly, none of us really know what others are going through, unfortunately, not even those who are closest to us. A truly short version of my own story of coming to terms with needing a reboot 😢. I stepped down from pastoring and church leadership after 15+ years and will soon retire from being an IT professional full-time for the last 26+ years. I AM TIRED! Thanks for your transparency and willingness to share your heart and your story. I am still planning to get back into videos and blogging in my retirement and on my terms. Again, thanks, and God bless.

Dear Jon, thank you for sharing your story. I recently quit my job, because I got burnt out. I am starting something on my own and this video helped me realise how to handle some the things I am afraid of. I hope the best for you.

The most interesting thing I notice from your story is that you seem to have started out with a staff to run the website almost right away and eventually went back to making videos by yourself (or maybe you have a small staff now, not sure), whereas most (all?) of the other big tech youtubers did it the opposite way, making videos on their own and eventually growing it into a bigger business. Like you said though, it was at the time of this transition from websites to video and I think you were a result of this transitionary time. No judgements either way, it's just great to see that you have made it out to the otherside and seem to be thriving.

Jon, I've been watching since your iPhone 3G videos (when I got mine). I instantly followed Jon4Lakers and have been following your content ever since. When Technobuffalo launched I was on it seriously every day until you sold it. I went on it the other day and it is completely unrecognizable & sad to see. Just wanted to say you are the first tech channel I followed and is the one that got me into to tech in general and thank you for all the content you've made over all these years.

Super cool Jon! You were one of the first tech people i ever watched on RU-vid, over a decade ago. You definitely inspired and influenced millions, yes millions of people to get into tech including me. I was a teenager then, now im 30. I remember the time where things started to change, i used your site for tech news quite a lot but the shift to video was coming and while you still did a lot of phone reviews on the TechnoBuffalo channel, it felt like that's all it was and i moved on to watching other channels that covered more than just phones. I think phones are a starting point for a lot of younger people who first start learning about tech and from there they branch into a lot of other things, especially as they get older. Glad i recently just came across your channel again, i'd definitely be interested to see the things you cover. I've always seen you as being one of the most genuine people and even if you might not see yourself as a top expert, i still trust your opinion a great deal, even above some experts. Sometimes having an expert explains things is just too much detail and you just need to give a simple explanation and not make it too complicated. Anyways, glad to see a video from you again and hope to see more soon, good seeing you!

Thank you for this video. It’s so hard in this time to not feel incredibly rejected over failing online when so many succeed with seemingly very little effort. Thank you for being honest about your mistakes. About the fact that you hated your job before and even that you had to go out of your way and ask to be included in the partner program back when. It’s incredibly strange because back then, as a kid, you were and in many ways still are a celebrity. I didn’t idolize cnet. I idolized you, soldier, Noah from phonedawg. It’s wild how time flies and I’m really thankful for your story, content and I’ll be praying for you and your family and for more wonderful times. God Bless!

It’s crazy because I never knew you sold the company

Amazing story. I’ve been following you since the Jon4Lakers days. I respect your decisions man. I can exactly relate with an entirely different business. Just wanting to be done because you’re tired of being tired - if that makes sense. Ultimately it comes down to happiness.

I was about 11 years old when i first started watching your videos, 13 years ago! I hope you know you were apart of my childhood, one of the first RU-vid channels/videos was watching was you reviewing phone and I started binge watching a bunch of techno buffalo videos and learned so much ! Thank you for all your content and I continue to look forward to more :)

I’ve followed you since your MacBook unboxing video, what a journey and you should feel proud of what you’ve achieved. I’m glad you’re finally at peace with what you’ve done and where you’ve got to 😊

Thanks for Sharing this Story! You're one of the greatest to ever do it, I've been a fan since 2009. 👍💪

I remember watching you, tech7, Soldier Knows Best and other tech videos back in 2010. Wow the good old days.

I’ve been in a job before that was destroying me. I was not suited to it and it was crushing me mentally and physically. I had to get out of it. I jumped at an opportunity to get out, even tho it meant taking a decent pay cut. People were saying I was crazy to do it, but I was so miserable I would pay that money to not feel like that anymore. It was a great decision, I’m way happier in my current job and make more now than I ever would have at the other one. You have to do what’s right for you, even if other people don’t understand it. Work is where you spend a huge portion of your life, you shouldn’t be miserable doing it.

Okay, so I'm happy for you that you're doing what you love, happy you're vibing with your new content, and happy your channel is growing. Lol but I have waited like 10 years to find out what happened between techno buffalo and phonedog lol. The rivalry of the century, turned allies and then rivals again like 3 days later. I will never stop asking for the story!

Interesting story John. Amazing how relaxed you look doing the first solo video as John, compared to your last video on TechnoBuffalo where you look really stressed.

Nice video man. I liked very much the TechnoBuffalo era but now your content is way better and this video (and story) is somehow inspiring. A big hug from Panama!

I was there from the beginning jon, thanks for the story. Many of us wouldn't take the leap to start such a company, no regrets i'd say you're awesome

I’ve been enjoying your content since the early days and really think you were one of the first to get me into following tech review videos! This is a great highlight of what growing and living is all about!

Thanks for making these story videos. I love hearing the background behind the tech creator. I am a few years into my journey, and I like learning from my heroes in this space.

Hey Jon, Don’t know if you’ll ever see this, first of all, Great Video and thanks for sharing this story with us. Just wanted to jump in and say thanks for creating, still, even to this day. I remember I was an 8 year old kid randomly looking through RU-vid in 2011. I recall looking for original iPhone content, and I stumbled across your “Vs” style vids with the iPhone 3G vs a BlackBerry LOL. From then on, fondly remember having to manually type “Jon4Lakers” to see what new content you posted after school. I never even knew what you were going through at the time, and thanks for being a part of my childhood and now into my early 20s. All the best.

Man, i still have a bookmark to technobuffalo in my chrome bookmarks. I've always appreciated and enjoyed your take on all things tech. Keep improving and we will all be cheering you on!

Wow. It's been a few years since I was neck-deep in tech RU-vid. Used to follow everyone, TB, PhoneDog, Cnet, Engadget, TUAW, TipB, iMore, This is my next/Verge, etc, especially during the initial iPhone years. I remember your iPhone 3G unboxing/review from way back when. Loved TechnoBuffalo, especially the Console Wars series. I fell off the scene and decided to check back into these sites/channels again after about 5-8 years. Happy that you're happier now, Jon!

I remember being in elementary school and just discovering RU-vid and found out about the Console Wars from your channel. I liked it and I subscribed right away. Not long after that I noticed that you also created tech videos. That’s when my interest in technology started to grow. It keeps on going when I was in Junior High. I discovered about Pocketnow, MKBHD, TLDToday, Austin, Lew, and many others who keep me interested and in-the-know about all things technology. During those days I didn’t knew the struggles that happened behind the camera. I just enjoyed the content that came out while also learning about the stuff in those videos. I grew a huge passion and love for tech that I ended up majoring in Computer Science, and I realized that all of this wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for you and all those guys. Thanks man, you’re such an inspiration and I wish you all the best.

Back in the day I used to write blogs / reviews for Techno Buffalo, one time, you featured one of my blogs on the front page of the site. I remember having my interview for Uni, (video production) and they were so impressed that a blog I wrote managed to get the front page. That was all TB, it gave people a platform, and ultimately that leads others to success. Your content lead the way for others, and you gave a platform for other people on your site. That’s huge. Thanks Jon.

I love how you treat these videos like a conversation. I really feel like you're interested in sharing something with us and not just making a video.

Thank you for taking the time to share with us your journey and being humble about it and admitting your mistakes. When you look back at all of what you’ve done, through all the success and regrets there is one thing that is certain, and that is your personal growth. No one can take that away from you, and that’s your most important achievement.

Incredible story Jon, I had no idea. I would read your articles and watch your videos everyday when I was in high school. You’re the reason I took programming classes. Ultimately I became a data analyst and not a programmer, but whatever. Many of my friends from middle school ended up at different high schools due to sports or wanting to go private, and this also was when my parents relationship started going bad until they divorced my senior year. I was very alone in high school and often times depressed. I don’t know if I would’ve made it out if it wasn’t for the joy and satisfaction I had for your content. Thank you.

As a long-time Technobuffalo fan, one of my first morning routines used to be visiting the page as soon as I sat on my desk and opened my browser. This feels like closer, and I’m really grateful to see you still at it today. Thank you and keep going! 👍

You were one of my first channels I’ve sub’d to back when I first started using RU-vid. I will always enjoy your content. Salute 🍺

I found your channel when you put up the original unibody MacBook unboxing back in like 2007 or 2008 😂 been following along mostly ever since then. Could definitely tell that you weren’t 100% back in the TechnoBuffalo days, but glad to see you doing well now and enjoying the content you put out.

I remember when there was even a Spanish technobuffalo channel, which today is SupraPixel, one of the most important tech youtube channels in Spanish.

I’m so glad for your gifts and sharing TechBuffalo with us all! I am so happy to know you are still sharing your gifts with us. Keep creating! You are doing great! 🥳🙏🏽💙🔥

Hi Jon, I'm a long time follwer, Thanks for sharing your awesome stories! And thank you for always reaching out to your followers. You always do your best to reply and reach out to the social media community. Keep it up man!

More monest, more transparent, more humane than 99% (if not 100) of other tech creators. These videos are real, and I really appreciate them. I've been a tech enthusiast since, probably before your tech buffalo days. So when you make your videos, it really does show a stark contrast to other videos/creators that just create a different presence specifically for likes and view counts. More importantly, thanks for just being this open and vulnerable to the world Jon. Much respect.

Jon: I very rarely am moved to comment on a video but I wanted to share something with you. I was the NYC area trainer for Verizon Fios from 2010-2013 and I travelled all over the tri-state area educating both customers and sales agents on the nascent fiber technology and what promise it held to drive technology forward. When I told them about the IoT (Internet of things) that was in its infancy, I'd get "No way" looks from many. And I would liberally utilize the TechnoBuffalo website and your videos as reference when demonstrating what was on the horizon as well as the present moment. I think I played at least one of your videos at every training session and they were always perfect to illustrate how quickly things were moving; I'd joke about the "speed of light" with them. Your efforts were a gigantic help to me personally and professionally and I always gave your website proper credit and referred people to it in return. I thought that you might enjoy knowing what a fertile ground you helped to prepare in general and in my career. Cheers, sir!

Been here since around 2010. Glad you shared this story. Im still in the process of trying to get my youtube going. It's not easy.

I remember seeing this transition. I think shortly after this you did the story about what if Apple didn’t exist or make the iPhone. You definitely grew. Your story telling is an inspiration for my channel. Thank you!

ive been subbed since TB and i always wondered why there are so many dislikes in your vids.. must be those pesky bots. i love ur takes more than some of the bigger tech channels. i find u more genuine and sincere in your reviews.

Man I been watching you forever!! Since the early days and glad your still here

I still follow Roy, Brandon, Quatch, Todd, and some of the other TB alumni on social media.. Every time I come across them, I wonder if you guys all keep in touch in some way or another.. That was quite a crew you had back then :)

Been a fan since the earliest days. Thank you for all of your hard work over the years!

I was there since almost the beginning, was in middle school watching you unboxing beats headphones, and now I’m already doing my PhD, time really flies and thank you for the video John.

love these story videos I remember watching your technobuffalo videos back in 2013 when i was in 5th grade and you were a huge inspiration to me to do video thank you very much!

I don't think you meant to say you weren't a good person, because you generally possess the qualities of what makes a person good. You may not have been a good boss, but you were a good leader. I have been watching TechnoBuffalo on RU-vid since the brand has become a thing back in the day. Thank you for your work.

Don't know if you remember me Jon (I was appchat/ellyawesome) - this was fascinating to watch. It really looked like you had it all when you started TechnoBuffalo and I was in awe. Still respect you none the less and you've had an awesome journey. Congrats mate and hope you're well! What a wild time it's been being tech RU-vidrs, hey!? haha (this is my new RU-vid channel!)

This is an incredible story, John. I have watched your videos for a long time, starting with the Techno Buffalo days and I had no idea that you were going through such struggles. To me, you will always be the king of technical creators because you were the first one I followed. I am so glad you are still doing this and landed on your feet

Thanks for sharing your story John. Very inspiring. I have been following you since the early days. I'm happy to see that you're in a good place. I wish you the best going forward

As someone that has watched you sense the early days, your content has only gotten better and improved in my opinion. I can tell your happier and healthier from your days at Technobuffallo. Congrats on everything Jon. Thank you for all the good times and more to come.

I still can't believe I've been watching you since Jon4Lakers. It's like we grew up together.

Mad respect for you man. Tech and news is actually a very tricky place to be in and audience takes it for granted. Looking forward to seeing more of you.

You've been through a lot in the past few years, by the sounds of it, John, and it's great to hear that you've found your "happy place".

Big salut to you for being so open in your "story" videos. Not everybody who would have the guts to do so. 🤘 from 🇧🇻

Jon, I have been watching since you were Jon4Lakers. Glad you are happy where you are now. I too struggled with my channel for many years and also decided I'm just going to make content and not worry about views or subscribers.

Jon all I can say we grew with you. Happy to see you learn from your experience and glad to see you back. 🙏🏾

life is a journey, I am glad you are enjoying the ride again! Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

You were the first ever tech RU-vidr that I ever subscribed to all the way back when the channel was jon4lakers!

Love this video and am so happy for you, Jon. I’ve been a subscriber since the TechnoBuffalo days and you have definitely grown and seem much happier. It’s truly awesome to see!

Congrats, Jon! I'm happy for you since you have found your peace. That's the best thing anyone can have. Cheers!! 🙌🏻

Hey Jon, you were the first tech channel I got into when I was 12 and first started going on RU-vid in 2009. I remember being so excited to see your iPhone 4 review. Your channel was the catalyst that made me get into tech and pursue a degree in computer science

TBH these series are my favorite content on the channel. Follower since TB days!

I remember watching phone dog techno buffalo video when I used to have chemotherapy back in 2009 to get me through out the day sometimes at night. Thank you Jon & Aaron you guys were the best!

Glad too see people still stick to there principles ( referring to the Site posting 48 hours battery life despite using phone less than 24 hours )

@jon you were one of my main sources of product reviews for all my purchases. I always appreciated your honesty and very well produced review videos. I always wondered where you went. Glad to see an update video I'm watching it now. Godspeed my friend.

TechnoBuffalo was the only webiste I visted for tech news ever since I was in high school and Jon you are one of the OGs and I still watch your videos. I was very sad to see you parting ways with TechnoBuffalo but you have been doing an amazing job since.Chin up champ, we love you and your content!

Been watching Jon since early Tech Buffalo days and I didn't know about this story. Wish you the best Jon.

Man I loved watching your old unboxing and reviews. They were therapeutic

Amazing story Jon and wish you the best in your future. We all learn from our mistakes and get better from there.

Geez I can't remember the last time I heard or saw the name Techno buffalo, been watching since the 2011-2016 era. I missed watching your tech vids. Thanks for sharing Jon ❤️

Jon I’ve been a fan since the Techno Buffalo days. I appreciate how you tell your story. You are the rear deal my friend. Keep learning and growing.

I remember those early days. I so looked forward to watch and hear you share your reviews and thoughts on electronics! All the best!

These stories have been Fantastic! It’s so interesting to hear what goes on behind the scenes and shiny new screens.

Nice video Jon, keep up the great work. It is nice knowing that you are doing what you like and that is making video content and no longer needing to have the stress of running a website. Thanks for sharing the story!

Keep it up Jon. Been watching you since that original MacBook Pro unboxing. I always look forward to your videos.

Dude...I was there from day one. You live, steer the ship best you can. Sometimes it's smooth sailing, sometimes you hit the rocks. Take the wins, learn from the mistakes and move on.

I always appreciated your positive attitude throughout the years. You always seemed like a huggable nerd which is a part of you and the overall community I enjoy, no matter where you were going. Keep it real. Keep being awesome, Jon.

Once you started that company your whole channel completely change. I am glad you’re getting back to normal a bit.

I will say, I'm not a fan from the TechnoBuffalo days-I always respected your work with TechnoBuffalo but it wasn't something I engaged with often. I've loved your channel since the rebirth though, the difference you point out in this video is definitely perceivable and I'm glad you're able to get much more fulfillment out of it! I wish you all the best Jon and you have all my respect.

Thanks for sharing Jon. I've been watching since the Jon4Lakers days because I wanted more information about Apple devices back then. You've continued to be one of the best on RU-vid, and I wish you the best.

Wow this is crazy, I grew up watching your videos since iPhone 4 came out I was 7 man. Moment in my life where you inspired me to become a tech reviewer in those days

I remember the last days of technobuffalos video content and you could clearly see if your demeanor in the video was way off and you really didn't seem your self and if selling TB was the right thing for you both mentally and physically then it was 100% the right move. In regards to making a mends with individuals dont waste time on this.. you never know when that time is up and then it becomes a permanent regret. I am glad to see your at peace with your new direction and I look forward to this new content to which I am enjoying a lot more!

I still search now for you as Jon4Lakers! my favourite video I still watch today is the unboxing of Rock band!! Love it! hope everything is good! x x

We think alike Jon… Seeing you so young again I’m like Wow I’ve been here this long… Ever since I found that first MacBook video! Through Jon4Lakers to the rename of TechnoBuffalo and now back to your name once again! You had to find yourself. Like I had too. I stopped caring if I got so many views as long as my Subscribers enjoy what I do it was fine! Will I ever own my own Business I don’t have a great mind like that. But I can try at least with Merchandise…

Man, I go WAY back with you! I miss Senor Stabby!

Love the backstory!

I really enjoy your story videos. There so easy to watch and chill. Are you going to do the story about companies trying to bribe you?

been watching since the HTC Desire HD video man, appreciate the content over the years Jon!

Your channel inspired me to love tech, and it lead to my current career. Without your videos along the way I wouldn’t of had the knowledge i did or love for these devices. Thank you john for this video, amazing insight and behind the scenes. Blessings to you & your family