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[Podcast] Wife Raised the Kids and After 27 Years and Partnered With Husband to Open a Shop [RR 554]


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Connie and Russell Cook owns Finish Line Automotive in Ocala, FL.

Talking points:

  • Husband and wife story of commitment to open their own shop
  • Russel had a long commute and worked at a dealership
  • Connie finds a going shop within three miles of home and Russell did the research
  • Russell has 27 years experience as a dealership tech
  • Russell know they needed help on the finance side of the transaction
  • They put a lot of money as a down payment but put them in a tough position with working capital. That is why Russell continued to work at the dealership for 5 monthsThey have survived with his normal income
  •  They will continue to take less of a salary to help the business get on a strong cash footing
  • They took ownership on February 1, 2020, and one month later Covid-19 hit. They are coming out of it very well
  • They kept some of their great, long time, people that have helped Connie transition
  • Connie had to learn to be a service advisor
  • Russell will jump in at whatever level he needs to do from counter to be in the bays
  • The business they bought had good consumer ratings. They keep hearing good talk about the business
  • They started with a database of 5,000 customers
  • They made a move on labor rates. They were too low compared to other shops. They also changed their menu prices
  • They fixed a credit policy that charged more if you used your credit card. Wrong thing to upcharge
  • A bright and well-lit waiting room
  • Fix it or repair the new businessComputer/Invoicing
  • Broadband speed
  • AC Recharger would not complete a functionCouldn’t get it repaired
  • Bought a used on
  • Scan tool
  • They were blessed with the technicians that were in the business and the affordability of the deal.He has 5 bays and 4 usable
  • An alignment machine

Resources:

  • Thanks to Connie and Russell Cook for their contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
  • Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
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This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. With 2,500 exhibiting companies, you’ll see the latest products, parts, and technologies for your business. As a result, the event also offers advanced training for shop owners, technicians, warehouse distributors (WDs) and auto parts retailers, as well as networking opportunities to grow your business. AAPEX 2020 will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. Therefore, more than 48,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend, and approximately 162,000 automotive aftermarket professionals. They will be from 135 countries which are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX 2020. For information, visit aapexshow.com

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This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at shop-ware.com

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         5 comments
      I recently spoke with a friend of mine who owns a large general repair shop in the Midwest. His father founded the business in 1975. He was telling me that although he’s busy, he’s also very frustrated. When I probed him more about his frustrations, he said that it’s hard to find qualified technicians. My friend employs four technicians and is looking to hire two more. I then asked him, “How long does a technician last working for you.” He looked puzzled and replied, “I never really thought about that, but I can tell that except for one tech, most technicians don’t last working for me longer than a few years.”
      Judging from personal experience as a shop owner and from what I know about the auto repair industry, I can tell you that other than a few exceptions, the turnover rate for technicians in our industry is too high. This makes me think, do we have a technician shortage or a retention problem? Have we done the best we can over the decades to provide great pay plans, benefits packages, great work environments, and the right culture to ensure that the techs we have stay with us?
      Finding and hiring qualified automotive technicians is not a new phenomenon. This problem has been around for as long as I can remember. While we do need to attract people to our industry and provide the necessary training and mentorship, we also need to focus on retention. Having a revolving door and needing to hire techs every few years or so costs your company money. Big money! And that revolving door may be a sign of an even bigger issue: poor leadership, and poor employee management skills.
      Here’s one more thing to consider, for the most part, technicians don’t leave one job to start a new career, they leave one shop as a technician to become a technician at another shop. The reasons why they leave can be debated, but there is one fact that we cannot deny, people don’t quit the company they work for, they usually leave because of the boss or manager they work for.
      Put yourselves in the shoes of your employees. Do you have a workplace that communicates, “We appreciate you and want you to stay!”
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