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Posted (edited)

Well, I've finally found the place that might lead me in the right direction. I look forward in learning all I can. What I do now is what we all love, cars, cars, and cars! I'm currently a Diesel Technician who loves what he does and looks forward to being 'knee deep' in it. I've been around cars since I can remember, I'm 38. For about 7 years now, I've been really interested being a future shop owner. I've met a couple of owners who took that first step and are successfull, well I want to be in that place some day. I have no college skills, but don't mind trying something new. Just this past week, I took my first ASE Gas and Diesel Engine tests, really the first two of many. Getting my certifications will no doubt give my future customers trust in my skills. I hope to one day open my own performance shop. I love street cars and diesels, but the town I currently live in and economy will dictate where I really start. Maybe some place bigger who knows. So again thank you for this forum!

Edited by JoeJoe
Posted

Welcome aboard!

 

As a business owner for nearly 30 years and a veteran auto tech since 1974, I have seen great changes in this industry. There is great opportunity now, more than ever. But it will take a lot of work and honing your business skill also.

 

Use the forums in AutoShopOwner.com and tap into the brains of shop owners around the country.

 

Joe Marconi

Posted
Well, I've finally found the place that might lead me in the right direction. I look forward in learning all I can. What I do now is what we all love, cars, cars, and cars! I'm currently a Diesel Technician who loves what he does and looks forward to being 'knee deep' in it. I've been around cars since I can remember, I'm 38. For about 7 years now, I've been really interested being a future shop owner. I've met a couple of owners who took that first step and are successfull, well I want to be in that place some day. I have no college skills, but don't mind trying something new. Just this past week, I took my first ASE Gas and Diesel Engine tests, really the first two of many. Getting my certifications will no doubt give my future customers trust in my skills. I hope to one day open my own performance shop. I love street cars and diesels, but the town I currently live in and economy will dictate where I really start. Maybe some place bigger who knows. So again thank you for this forum!

 

Joe, welcome! I am in the minority here because I am not a guy who loves cars. To me a car is only a tool to get from one place to another. I didn't get into this business because I love cars but as a business investment. Ten years ago I didn't know anything about cars. It hasn't been easy but I have succeeded because I am a good businessman. The business side will make or break your success.

Posted (edited)
Hey JoeJoe! Welcome to the autoshopowner! What state are you in? Are town, suburb, city.....?

How's it going friends? Thanks for the response. Well I'm from Corpus Christi, Texas. We have alot of fishing here with nice beaches. It's mostly steaming hot but you can get used to it. Been here most of my life and with interest in working for myself, I can say it's gonna be one helluva task. The local shops in town are successful but I want to bring in my own with a 'twist', so to speak. With a population of around 200K+, not to many 'performance' shops exist here, maybe 2 or 3. My question is, in the line of work that I want to do, how can my future business survive in a town like this versus your basic auto repair shops? It's the performance industry I'd like to take a shot at. To me it seems to be alot harder on performance minded shops. I don't know. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong but hey this is the place to ask right? Like I was saying, I just happened to find this site and it looks like I'll be doing alot of searching for questions on the business-world. Once again, thanks!

Edited by JoeJoe
Posted (edited)
How's it going friends? Thanks for the response. Well I'm from Corpus Christi, Texas. We have alot of fishing here with nice beaches. It's mostly steaming hot but you can get used to it. Been here most of my life and with interest in working for myself, I can say it's gonna be one helluva task. The local shops in town are successful but I want to bring in my own with a 'twist', so to speak. With a population of around 200K+, not to many 'performance' shops exist here, maybe 2 or 3. My question is, in the line of work that I want to do, how can my future business survive in a town like this versus your basic auto repair shops? It's the performance industry I'd like to take a shot at. To me it seems to be alot harder on performance minded shops. I don't know. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong but hey this is the place to ask right? Like I was saying, I just happened to find this site and it looks like I'll be doing alot of searching for questions on the business-world. Once again, thanks!

 

Joe it has become much harder to survive in this business as a specialist. The muffler brake franchises are not called that anymore but have now become "auto service". New car dealers are now selling tires. The quick lubes are expanding their service offerings. Each business is fighting for market share and customers like one stop shopping where they can go somewhere and get everything done. When we reach a new customer we work to capture their business and be their one stop for everything.

 

If you go the performance route it will probably require some astute planning on your part. In essence to do that you are chosing a market niche. The effect of selecting a niche is to exclude a large portion of the market. Performance business is also more discretionary spending. What has happened to those in the performance business over the past year with $4.00+ gasoline, a recession, and a bear stock market? I have also found that those interested in performance are also those who try to do most of it themselves and are harder to get to spend money.

Edited by xrac
Posted

I agree and want to add that in this market, you need to diversify. I'm not saying you can't be successful, as a specialist. But, there is more opportunity when you diversify. You can still have a performance shop, while offering full service to a larger market.

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted
I agree and want to add that in this market, you need to diversify. I'm not saying you can't be successful, as a specialist. But, there is more opportunity when you diversify. You can still have a performance shop, while offering full service to a larger market.

 

Joe is right. The best way to guarantee your success is to let the performance specialty be a business within the business. Over time you may be able to grown the performance side enough to concentrate on it.

Posted

I'm betting that many shops this past year are exploring the idea of diversifying their businesses. Examples: used cars, detailing, towing, etc.

 

Your thoughts?

Posted
I'm betting that many shops this past year are exploring the idea of diversifying their businesses. Examples: used cars, detailing, towing, etc.

 

Your thoughts?

 

One local shop (also a franchise) has added detailing. Dealers are adding tires. Here ar our shop we are selling more and more tires. We have also taken on on being and installer for National Interlock who is a provider of court ordered interlock devices for DUI cases. We though this would generate a little more revenue plus be a source of new customers. It has worked that way somewhat. We have picked up a few new customers but some of the interlock work is too time consuming based upon what we are paid. We will drop it when our contract expires in December.

Posted

You will see many dealers get more aggressive with expanding their services too. Even dealers that loose their franchise may re-open as a used car dealer, tire store, etc. I just read of one case in Tire Magazine today.

 

Be aware, the dealerships will not fade away like so many of us have hoped.

Posted
You will see many dealers get more aggressive with expanding their services too. Even dealers that loose their franchise may re-open as a used car dealer, tire store, etc. I just read of one case in Tire Magazine today. Be aware, the dealerships will not fade away like so many of us have hoped.

 

 

You have that pegged correctly. In many cases the former local dealer has just became the newest independent repair shop in town. However, in many cases the overhead will be too great for that model to fly for long. Also will the technicians in those shops be as effective without the dealer tools at their disposal and the need to work on all makes and models.

Posted

I agree with you. One other thing to think about. The dealerships that survive will get full support from their parent company (GM, Ford, Chrysler). This is a concern of mine.

 

Look my my email newsletter article this weekend on this subject.

  • 1 month later...
Posted

Hello, My name is Kenneth Rinderhagen I am 41 single, have been working as Mechanic for years, Graduated High School, and completed a 450 Hour course in Engine performance, Shop I original worked for sold the business, So I am presently attend Collage for an associate’s degree in business, though I do some mechanic work out of my house, I am working toward buying a shop and getting in gear for the real thing I am working on scratch, Though working toward it.

 

Ken Rin Auto

 

Kenneth

 

:rolleyes:

Posted
Hello, My name is Kenneth Rinderhagen I am 41 single, have been working as Mechanic for years, Graduated High School, and completed a 450 Hour course in Engine performance, Shop I original worked for sold the business, So I am presently attend Collage for an associate’s degree in business, though I do some mechanic work out of my house, I am working toward buying a shop and getting in gear for the real thing I am working on scratch, Though working toward it.

 

Ken Rin Auto

 

Kenneth

 

:rolleyes:

 

Good to have you. Where are you located?

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      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.
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