Quantcast
Jump to content


Squirrels, Squirrels, Squirrels - - - - A Dad, a squirrel, and the son's car.


Gonzo

Recommended Posts

Squirrels, Squirrels, Squirrels

tp.gifMy son Mitchell just turned 16 and I promised him I'd get him a small economical car to drive if his grades were good. Good??? I never did that great in school compared to this kid. Straight A's for this kid. I'm really proud of the little guy. He's on the debating team, the Quiz bowl team and several others. He even played tournament chess for a couple of summers and did really well. In fact made it to 3rd in the state for his division until he… well, as he put it… retired. Now he's into some sort of tournament card game that I have no idea what it's all about. (Smart kid to say the least.)

 

One thing he's never taken an interest in is cars or anything mechanical. I've been tinkering on engines and anything that rolled, slid, or moved for as long as I remember. But, not this kid. He's more into computer programming and science stuff. I'd like him to learn a little bit about what his father does for a living, however, when the subject comes up he's more than likely to avoid anything to do with anything mechanical. But, I might find a way he can't avoid. I'll just have to wait until it's absolutely necessary for him to take a look under the hood.

 

His little car is a 06 Ford Focus, with 5 speed manual transmission with no power locks or windows. A perfect first time car and an added bonus… he'll have to learn how to drive a stick shift. The first step in learning to drive was of course how to work the clutch. I found along flat stretch of a road that was perfect for teaching the basic fundamentals of operating a stick shift car. He picked up on it in no time. Even his mom was impressed with his driving. (Makes a dad proud when mom is impressed.)

 

A few months went by and with all the other activities going on the car was left to sit in the driveway for about a month. As the time grew closer to taking his actual driving test he was eager to get back to practicing his driving skills. I got a text from mom that the car wouldn't start. She assumed it was just a dead battery from leaving it sit so long. Mom sent me a text that the car wouldn't start. She assumed it was just a dead battery from leaving it sit so long. I came home from the shop in time to see them both sitting patiently waiting on the front steps for me to show up. I hopped into the driver's seat of the boy's car and turned the key. (Oh yea, it was dead alright… dead to the point that I couldn't even get the slightest of response from the electrical system.) When I popped the hood I was in for a big surprise. Sitting on top of the engine was a huge mound of insulation, various nuts from the trees around the house, and pieces of the wiring harness. It's a (&X!$) squirrel… this long tailed rat has made a nest out of the boys engine compartment.

 

I just got home from a long day of diagnosing cars, wiring up damaged vehicles and changing parts only to come home and stare at the very same thing I do everyday. You can imagine my response. It wasn't shock, it wasn't surprise… it was more of the ticked off dad that knew exactly who's going to be working late…ME!

 

 

As I started to gather the necessary tools and drag out an airline to the car both the wife and the boy had already grabbed their cell phones and were busy snapping pictures. The two of them had big smiles on their faces as if the whole thing was some comical natural sculpture under the hood. Comical??? I'm a little jacked up over the whole thing. The first repeatable sentence I said that didn't have some sort of derogatory remark about a squirrel or the occasional triple X word in it was, "Son, you're going to be helping on this, so put down that cell phone and go get those tools I laid out on the work bench." After removing all the debris from the engine bay (Boy's job) I could see I had quite a few wires to repair. Some were chewed clean down to the connectors as well as completely missing. This was a perfect time to show the boy just what his dad does every day at the shop. I'll have to admit he did seem somewhat interested, but I don't think it was the actual methods of separating the terminals from the connector, or howto properly splice the wires back together. It was more of that typical teenager mentality. He asked me several times, "Dad, are you going to be able to fix this, or will we have to find a repair shop to do it?" Honestly, for such a smart kid he still doesn't understand what his dad does every day.

 

I had to remember how it was when I got my first car and how anxious I was to get out on the road by myself. So I kept my thoughts to finishing the job, because I knew the most important thing to him wasn't the father son bonding… but, how quickly can I have my car back.

 

A few hours later and a little help from my internet subscription to the wiring diagrams I had the whole thing finished.

 

"Mitch hop in there and start it up," I told him.

 

The car came to life and ran just as it did. I told him to check the dash for any service lights or warnings that were on. He didn't see anything on the dash so we let it sit there to warm up. After the engine got up to temperature we took it around the block a few times to check the rest of the car out. Everything was back to normal.

 

I think he learned a few things about cars during the conversations we had while repairing all the wiring. Maybe not enough to think about going into the business, but enough to know that old dad does know his stuff about what makes these mechanical beasts run down the road.

 

He's still driving the same car, and still holding those straight A's in school. I guess I have to change my opinion about that squirrel though. He may have caused me a bunch of extra work, but he also gave me a great opportunity to spend some quality time with my son.

 

"Hey, squirrel... thank you... but that doesn't mean you're welcomed under the hood of the car again. But thanks for the father/son bonding ... that was well worth the time. Time...it's that one thing you can't get back."

 

(More photos on my website.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

tp.gif


View full article

Link to comment
Share on other sites



I have two older daughters, one worked for me for about 4 years in the office answering phones. She was really had a knack for the job. Then the two of my girls got together and decided to switch jobs. So now I have my other daughter with me while the other one finished her master degree in advertising.

 

My son... well... If there is dirt, grease, or loud noises involved he's not interested. I tried one year to bring him down to the shop, didn't work out well. He would rather stay in the office.

 

Oh well... to each his own.

 

But I agree Joe... the bonding time is priceless. Ya just can't get the time back... use it wisely.

We see a lot of that type of damage in my area. What's nice, is that a situation like that makes a connection with your son, things happen for a purpose.

 

I have two sons and both of them worked with me starting around 12 years old. I would bring them down to the shop and make them sweep the floors, clean the office and I introduced them to My World. They also got paid, which they really liked.

 

As they got older I had them changing oil, do brake jobs, tire rotations and other minor repairs. Both of them worked until they went off the college. My youger son worked as my service advisor durning the summers while in college. That was real special, working side by side. Both of my sons went into different careers. They had to follow their own dreams, which I understand.

 

My younger son Anthony works for company in California that buys, sells and invests in commercial real estate. It's a high presure job. He has told me on many occasions that he often thinks back about when he worked in the shop with me with fond memories. That's really special and for that I am truly grateful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         4 comments
      A recent study, done by Harvard Business School, concluded that the real problem with attracting and retaining employees has more to do with the workplace environment, not pay or benefits. While the study did find that an adequate pay plan and offering an attractive benefits package did help with recruiting and retention, it’s not enough to satisfy the needs of employees, especially those of front-line workers.
      The study also stated that in 2021, many companies were convinced that giving raises, sign-on bonuses, and other perks would solve the worker shortage problem and prevent people from quitting. However, this strategy did not work. So, what does work regarding attracting quality people and keeping them employed?
      Essentially, it all comes down to the culture of your company.  Management: do all it can to consider the individual needs of your employees. Your employees want to feel that they have a voice, that their opinion counts, and that their role in your company is both respected and recognized. Yes, pay and a great benefits package will go a long way toward making your employees feel secure, but that’s only financial security. People want more than money.
      To attract and keep top talent requires creating a company that people feel proud to work for. You need to reach the hearts and minds of your employees. Become a leader that people are enthusiastic about working for. You want your employees bragging to their friends and family that your shop is a great place to work!
      Step one to attracting and retaining quality employees: Create an amazing workplace environment for your employees!  Trust me, happy employees make happy shop owners too!
  • Similar Topics

    • By carmcapriotto
      Recorded Live at the TST Big Event 2023 with Andrew and Knudsen, father and son duo of Coventry Motors in Huntington Station, Long Island. They discuss their background in the car industry, their decision to start their own business, the types of cars they work on, and their succession plan. They also discuss the challenges of running a small business, including labor rates and finding new talent. The conversation provides insights into the rewards and challenges of running a successful auto repair business and the importance of continuous learning and adapting to changes in the industry.
      Andrew and Peter Knudsen, Coventry Motors, Huntington Station, NY
      Show Notes
      (00:00:39) The high cost of living and labor rates in Long Island, with diagnostic labor rates starting at $225. (00:02:00) Peter started Coventry Motors after leaving his job at a Jaguar dealership. (00:06:41) Andrew will eventually buy the company's shares (00:07:07) Peter and Andrew discuss Andrew's interest in the car industry from a young age and how he came to work at Coventry Motors. (00:09:21) Hiring and training employees, including using training videos and on-the-job learning. (00:10:16) Peter discusses his management style and how he improved productivity and morale at a Jaguar shop he had managed in the past. (00:14:39) Peter talks about how he is one of the few people in the business who can fix cars and deal with customers, unlike most mechanics who only fix cars. (00:19:57) Getting involved in coaching and how it helped them implement changes in their business. (00:21:06) The importance of regularly reviewing and adjusting the parts matrix to account for inflation and maintain profitability. (00:24:43) Peter and Andrew's biggest influencers in the car industry, (00:26:30) The challenge of hiring young people who are distracted by their phones and lack basic skills. (00:30:06) Peter's approach to failure helped Andrew become a problem solver and independent thinker. (00:31:45) Peter talks about his son Andrew taking over the business and how he is better at selling and dealing with customers. (00:32:35) The challenge of finding successors in the auto repair industry and the importance of having a passion for the work. (00:33:57) Andrew talks about his unique relationship with his father and the importance of not fighting change in a family business.  
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA AUTO CARE
       
      Learn more about NAPA AUTO CARE and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting www.NAPAAutoCare.com
      Connect with the Podcast:
      -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider
      -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books
      -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom
      -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm
      -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
      -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
         
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By carmcapriotto
      The podcast episode features a Rad Air Complete Car Care facility tour in Strongsville, Ohio. Carm speaks with Mike Munger, the location's franchisee, and the franchisor Andy Fiffick. We discuss the design of the facility, the number of bays and technicians, and the types of services offered.
      They also mention the company's reputation for being able to fix cars that other shops cannot. The conversation shifts to the importance of building a strong company culture, providing employees with a shower and a full kitchen. They also tour the service advisor area and office, discussing the shop's busy schedule and the various seasons that bring in different types of business. The episode highlights the importance of staying up-to-date and providing excellent customer service in the automotive industry.
      Watch Full Video Episode HERE Designing the Facility (00:00:17) The design of the facility, including the number of bays and technicians, and how they designed the facility from the ground up. Fixing Cars that Other Shops Cannot (00:05:03) How their company has carved out a niche in the community by fixing cars that other shops cannot and how they have a reputation for being able to fix any car. Franchise history (00:06:47) The history of Rad Air Complete Car Care and how it became a franchisor. Employee culture (00:10:27) The importance of treating employees like family and providing them with amenities such as showers and a kitchen. Booking Schedule (00:12:59) Mike Munger mentions that they are generally booked a week out, but currently only a couple of days due to the slower season. Seasonal Business (00:13:20) The three busy cycles of the business: winter, driving season, and summer. They also mention that they have not had a winter or spring yet, which affects their business. Evolution of Business Model (00:17:07) How their business model evolved from being a radiator and air conditioning shop to a complete car care service, adding tires, hybrids, and EVs to their services. They also mention how they had to pivot to stay relevant in the market. Thanks to our Partner, Dorman Products. Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/Tour
      Connect with the Podcast:
      -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider
      -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books
      -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom
      -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm
      -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
      -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
       


      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By carmcapriotto
      This week Hunt talks about the most significant missing link between his clients that make money (rich people) and have money (wealthy people)
      • Is there a relationship between how much money someone makes and how much money they actually have?
      • What is your personal ratio, and how can you improve it?
      • If you have never saved money, how can you start setting yourself up to be more responsible in the future?
      • Is debt something to be avoided, or can you actually leverage debt to save more money?
      Thanks to our sponsor partner NAPA TRACS
      NAPATRACS.com
       
      Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
      Visit us Online : www.paarmelis.com
      Email Hunt: [email protected]
      Get a copy of my Book : Download Here
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By ASOG Podcast
      Is A Major Car Dealership Really Scamming Women? Are They BUSTED?
    • By ASOG Podcast
      Chris Enright's Big Choice: Tech or CSR? | What Short-Form Content Is Doing For His Business!


  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...