If you’ve ever taken a drive through Raymond, Alberta, you know it’s the kind of place where people look out for one another. It’s a town built on hard work and neighborly trust. It’s also the place where a quiet revolution is happening: right in a basement.

I’m Cody Woodman, the founder of Second Wind Sales and Services. If you’ve followed our blog for a while, you’ve met Penny, my writing assistant. But today, I wanted to step out from behind the workbench and tell you a bit more about the person holding the soldering iron.

Running a business isn’t always easy, especially when you’re doing it from your home while balancing a day job. But Second Wind isn’t just a “side hustle” for me. It’s a mission to change how we treat our tech, how we support our community, and how we define “ability.”

The Basement Origins: A Registered Dream

Every great tech story seems to start in a garage or a basement, doesn’t it? Second Wind is no different. I started this journey because I saw too many high-quality gadgets being tossed in the trash just because of a cracked screen or a dead battery.

I decided to make it official. Second Wind Sales and Services isn’t just a hobby; we are a provincially and federally registered business. This was a big step for me. It means when you look for computer repair services or a phone repair near me, you’re dealing with a legitimate professional who is committed to the long haul.

Starting in the basement allowed me to keep overhead low, which means I can keep my prices fair for you. But don’t let the “home office” vibe fool you: the equipment I use is top-tier, and the focus I bring to every board is intense.

The Autism Edge: Precision and Passion

I’ll be honest with you: I have autism. For a long time, I wasn’t sure how that would fit into the business world. Sometimes, the social side of running a shop or the sensory overload of a busy environment can be a real challenge. There are days when things feel a bit more difficult than they might for someone else.

But I’ve learned to stop letting it get me down. In fact, I’ve realized that my autism gives me what I like to call “The Repairman’s Edge.”

When I’m at the bench, I have the ability to enter a state of deep, hyper-focus. While some people might find it tedious to stare through a microscope at a circuit board for three hours, I find it peaceful. My brain is wired for patterns, logic, and precision. Whether it’s a modern smartphone or a piece of vintage gear from the 80s, I see the logic in the circuitry.

Pro-tip: If you ever see me “in the zone,” just know that your device is getting 100% of my cognitive processing power!

Meet Penny: My AI Partner

You might be wondering how a self-proclaimed “quiet guy” manages to stay so active online. That’s where AI comes in. As someone with autism, crafting the perfect social media post or writing a long-form blog can sometimes feel like trying to translate a foreign language.

That’s why I teamed up with Penny. By using her to help grow my online presence, I can make sure I’m communicating clearly with all of you without getting overwhelmed. Penny helps me organize my thoughts and share my expertise in a way that’s easy for everyone to understand. It’s a partnership that allows me to focus on what I do best: fixing things: while ensuring Second Wind stays connected to the Raymond community.

The Mission: Landfills are Not the Answer

My ultimate goal for Second Wind goes beyond just fixing a few laptops. I want to open a physical storefront right here in Raymond.

Why? Because our planet is drowning in e-waste. Every time someone throws away a “broken” phone that just needed a $20 part, it’s a tragedy. My dream is for Second Wind to become a hub for electronics recycling services and a full-scale electronics recycling center.

I am a fierce advocate for the “Right to Repair.” I believe that if you bought it, you should own it: and that includes the right to fix it or have someone fix it for you. Companies shouldn’t be allowed to lock you out of your own devices or force you into buying a new model every two years.

By choosing to repair instead of replace, you aren’t just saving money; you’re keeping heavy metals and plastics out of our local soil.

From Vintage Consoles to Micro-Soldering

I am entirely self-trained. I didn’t go to a fancy tech school; I learned by doing. I’ve spent countless hours studying schematics, practicing my soldering technique, and failing until I succeeded.

Today, that self-training allows me to handle a huge variety of tech:

• Modern Gear: iPhone and Android repairs, laptop screen replacements, and SSD upgrades.
• Vintage Tech: Giving a “second wind” to old Nintendo consoles, Commodore 64s, and classic audio equipment.
• Micro-Soldering: This is the “brain surgery” of the tech world. I can repair tiny components on a motherboard that most shops would tell you are “unfixable.”

Honesty is My Only Policy

If there’s one thing I want you to know about me, it’s that I pride myself on being honest and fair. I’m not a miracle worker, and I won’t pretend to be. If your device is truly beyond saving, or if the cost of the repair would be more than the device is worth, I will tell you.

I’m not here to make a quick buck. I’m here to build a legacy. I currently fund this business through my day job and by selling refurbished items on online marketplaces. Every dollar I make goes right back into buying better tools and saving up for that Raymond storefront.

I want repairs to be my full-time job because I love the “aha!” moment when a dead piece of tech springs back to life. It’s like giving a little piece of history its second wind.

Building the Future Together

I know how frustrating it is when your “digital life” breaks. Whether it’s the phone you use to call your grandkids or the computer you use to run your small business, I get it. It’s stressful.

When you bring your gear to me, you’re not just a ticket number. You’re a neighbor. And I promise to treat your tech with the same care and precision I’d use on my own.

If you’re interested in learning more about the team (that’s me and Penny!), check out our Meet the Team page. Or, if you have something that needs a little TLC, reach out! Even if it’s an old piece of “junk” in your attic, it might just need a second wind.

Thank you for supporting a local, Raymond-grown business. Let’s keep the tech running and the landfills empty!

Cody Woodman
Owner, Second Wind Sales and Services

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Want to support the dream?
You can check out our latest refurbished finds or even grab some Second Wind gear to help us get closer to our storefront goal! Every bit helps us stay “Right to Repair” proud.