Quantcast
Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

 

Esteban Gonzales came from a family with a dad that worked as a diesel mechanic and a brother that owned his Auto Repair shop, it gave him the opportunity to be involved in the automotive industry. Being fascinated by automobiles and always wanting to start his own business, he had the opportunity to open Proshop Automotive in 2013. Not having a clear business plan, he quickly realized that there was a whole lot more to running an automotive repair shop than just “fixing cars”. He had to change his mindset and adapt to what it actually took to run a proper auto repair business. Knowing how to fix a vehicle is not that difficult with proper training. Knowing how to run the business by understanding your numbers and putting together a team that shares the same passion as you is a whole different story. In the last couple years, he has grown into a person and as a business operator and is always eager to learn as much as possible. Joining ASCCA has been one of his highlights because of the community that is built around this organization. Being involved in a chapter level and now in a state level has given him the opportunity to help in ways he never imagined. It also made him realize that he is not alone in this journey and there is a lot of help if everyone is willing to accept it. Esteban's episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

  • Shop owner at 36 years old 
  • Brother was technician right out of high school- became shop owner for 9-10 years then closed business
  • Esteban was involved with the front office and received technician license- always wanted to be a business owner and saw opportunity when brother closed shop
  • Wife told him “If you start, you better not quit.”- supporter and cheerleader for Esteban. Reminds him of the progress he’s made, initiated training and boot camps    
  • He didn’t realize the amount of money needed to make the business run- thought he would be making a profit and paycheck for himself immediately 
  • Monitors numbers daily, has daily and weekly meetings with team
  • Joined ASCCA 2 years ago- pivotal point in career, started networking and receiving support with other shops owners 
  • There is no ‘secret sauce’ between you and the shop down the street- Esteban started going to neighboring auto shops to try and convince them to better themselves 
  • Training boot camps/seminarsAt first, Esteban would come back fired up and ready to implement new changes but employees weren’t completely on board and eventually, he lost the fire. Continuous cycle. 
  • Elite Worldwide Fly with the Eagles- all about appreciating your team and thanking them. Started thinking differently. Realized the team has to be on the same page together.  
  • ChallengesHaving the right people around you to keep you informed on changing rules and laws (CPA, ASCCA)
  • Family affairParents house is next to shop- home-cooked meals almost every day 
  • Sister and younger brother works on the front counter 
  • Older brother master technician 
  • Advice for other young shop ownersNetwork with people in the industry and seek the advice of people that have ‘been there, done that.’ 
  • Keep an open mind with changes and different perspectives you aren’t used to 

Resources:

  • Thanks to Esteban Gonzales for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
  • Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
  • Find every podcast episode HERE.
  • Every episode segmented by Series HERE.
  • Key Word Search HERE.

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email

Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser and many more. Mobile Listening APP's HERE

Join the Ecosystem - Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE.

Buy me a coffee

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.  The Virtual AAPEX Experience 2020 is in the record books. Virtual AAPEX lived up to presenting leading-technical and business management training from some of the industry’s best and brightest. Now set your sights on the homecoming in Las Vegas in 2021. Mark your calendar now … November 2-4, 2021, AAPEX // Now more than ever.

Shop-Ware-Call-To-Action-Graphic-v3.png

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 getshopware.com/carm

ARN-Logo-Wide-Blue-600px-300x84.png

 

Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

  • Alex changed the title to What it Takes to Be the Leader of a Family Business [RR 614]

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
  • Similar Topics

    • By stevefry
      I have a client looking to sell their Auto Body Shop in Monteagle TN called Lakeside Collision. He is asking $1,500,000 and the property did a little over $1,200,000 last year. Profitable business with lots of equipment and inventory, newer paint booth and includes 2 lots and 2 buildings with 8 bay doors.
      Also have another client looking for an Auto Body business to purchase in Davidson County (Nashville) TN. Looking for a shop with the business and the real estate. 
    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By Changing The Industry
      Bonus Episode - The Impact of Returns, Inventory, & Technology on Auto Parts Pricing with WorldPac
    • By carmcapriotto
      In this episode, we’re diving into the powerful concept of creating a shared vision and how a lack of clarity could be holding your shop back from real growth.
      I’ll walk you through what I learned in a deep dive after my own leadership team challenged me to cast a vision that reaches every level of our company. We’ll talk about how to get out of the “small thinking” trap, how to define your goals with laser precision, and why your employees need to see, feel, and believe in the same future you do.
      Plus, I’ll share real tools, like how to craft your vision statement, how to communicate it across your team, and how to create a business where everyone’s pulling in the same direction.
      If you want to stop playing small and start building something truly great, this episode is for you.
      Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal will help you grow your auto business and you can learn more at RepairPal.com/shops.
      Declined repairs don’t have to be lost revenue. AppFueled’s call center schedules follow-up calls and equips your team with everything they need to close the deal. Get started now at appfueled.com 
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
      EOS One
      Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool For Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future - Cameron Herold 
      The Vision Driven Leader - Michael Hyatt
      Stop Delaying Your Dreams: Time to Take Action
      Show Notes with Timestamps
      Introduction and Sponsors (00:00:01) Overview of the podcast and thanks to sponsors RepairPal and App Fuel. Creating a Shared Vision (00:00:10) Brian discusses the importance of establishing a shared vision for the company. Leadership Team Meetings (00:01:13) Details about offsite leadership meetings and the exercise called "the one thing." Feedback and Growth (00:02:08) Brian reflects on receiving feedback from his leadership team and its impact on personal growth. Shifting Mindset on Growth (00:03:07) Brian shares his fears about growth and how he overcame them to embrace larger ambitions. Disney's Service Model (00:04:17) Comparison of Disney's customer service model to his company's approach to client service. Processes and Procedures (00:05:26) Discussion on the importance of processes in maintaining service quality while growing. Inbound Marketing Strategy (00:07:25) Brian explains the effectiveness of inbound marketing in attracting clients. Outbound Sales Shift (00:09:26) Introduction of outbound sales strategies and the team's initial reactions to the change. Creating a Shared Vision Deep Dive (00:10:34) Brian's focus on developing a shared vision after receiving feedback from his leadership team. Researching Shared Vision (00:11:42) Challenges in finding resources on creating a shared vision and discovering related literature. Book Recommendations (00:12:42) Brian reviews two books on vision creation and his thoughts on their content. Simplicity of Creating Vision (00:13:34) Brian concludes that creating a shared vision is simpler than expected, emphasizing clarity. Vision, Mission, and Values Explained (00:14:45) Brian differentiates between vision, mission, and values with a practical example. Big Dreams and Ambitions (00:15:45)  Brian discusses the importance of dreaming big and outlines a fictional company's ambitious goals. Vision, Mission, and Values (00:16:48)  He explains the significance of having a clear vision, mission, and values for a successful organization. Sponsor Message: RepairPal (00:17:48)  Introduction to RepairPal and its services that help auto repair shops attract tech-savvy customers. Sponsor Message: App Fuel (00:18:48)  Overview of App Fuel's customer loyalty app designed for auto service shops to enhance customer retention. Core Values and Their Importance (00:19:57)  Brian shares his realization of the value of core values in decision-making and company culture. Litmus Testing New Hires (00:20:59)  He describes how to evaluate potential hires against the company's vision, mission, and values. Understanding What You Want (00:21:55)  Brian emphasizes the importance of defining personal and business desires beyond just financial goals. Creating a Clear Vision (00:23:51)  Discussion on the necessity of a detailed, clear vision for a business to guide its direction. Proximity to Your Dreams (00:26:56)  Encouragement to immerse oneself in environments that inspire and reflect personal dreams and aspirations. Crafting Your Vision (00:28:50)  Brian advises on the process of creating a vision, emphasizing the need for time and space away from routine.  The Importance of a Clear Direction (00:29:46)  He compares running a business without a clear vision to aimlessly shooting an arrow, highlighting the risks involved. Creating a Target (00:30:41)  Discusses the importance of having a detailed vision as a target for business goals. Vision Details (00:31:37)  Explains the components of a business vision, including specifics about services and operational metrics. Dream Big (00:34:25)  Encourages thinking big without worrying about how to achieve those goals initially. Historical Example: JFK (00:35:32)  Uses JFK's moon landing vision as an example of effective goal-setting and inspiring leadership. Sharing the Vision (00:37:33)  Stresses the need to communicate the vision clearly to the entire team for buy-in. Selling Down the Ladder (00:38:27)  Describes the process of sharing the vision, starting with leadership and moving downwards. Feedback and Buy-In (00:39:19)  Highlights the importance of receiving feedback and fostering genuine buy-in from team members. Repetition of Vision (00:40:12)  Discusses the necessity of repeatedly communicating the vision to ensure team alignment. Crafting the Vision (00:42:20)  Brian reflects on his personal goal to create a detailed vision for his organization. Importance of Shared Vision (00:43:34)  Concludes with the significance of a shared vision for team alignment and achieving business goals.
      How To Get In Touch
      Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook
      Meet The Pros
      Follow SMP on Facebook
      Follow SMP on Instagram
      Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book
      Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics 
      Thanks to our Partners,
      RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops. Quality Car Repair. Fair Price Guarantee.
      App Fueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”
      Aftermarket Radio Network
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By Changing The Industry
      Episode 214 - Exploring Leadership & Culture in the Auto Industry with Dori Epstein


  • Our Sponsors

×
×
  • Create New...