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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog0 commentsIt 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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By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
April 15th is behind us — but your tax strategy shouldn’t stop there. In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA at Paar Melis, shares exactly what auto repair shop owners need to be doing based on how their tax season wrapped up. Whether you filed early, waited until the last minute, or punted with an extension, Hunt helps you take the right steps now to avoid penalties, reduce next year’s bill, and keep your shop’s finances dialed in.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why filing an extension isn’t always a problem — but failing to plan ahead is The costly myth about tax extensions that trips up even seasoned shop owners What to do now if you owed a big tax bill or got a refund The IRS’s rules on estimated taxes and why ignoring them leads to penalties Smart financial habits every shop owner should adopt after tax season ends
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it. After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
Thanks to our partner, Promotive
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: [email protected]
Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413
Download a Copy of My Books Here:
Wrenches to Write-Offs Your Perfect Shop
The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto https://remarkableresults.biz/
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By Joe Marconi
Take if someone who has lived through many uncertain times, this is the best time to bump up your customer experience. Show confidence and and show that you appreciate your customers. This also means showing appreciation for your employees - Happy employees create happy customers.
While there is a lot of uncertainty these days, there is one thing you can take to the bank: With the right positive mindset, staying strong and driving forward, you will be better off in the good times.
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By carmcapriotto
Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound
Watch Full Video Episode
One of the greatest joys for our team at ARN and this show is to welcome listeners of “Speak Up” to join us and SPEAK UP as a guest along with our host, Craig O’Neill!
Today’s guest is Drew Van Der Wiede.
A Service Manager from Mahomet Car Connection in Mahomet, IL - Drew recently attended VISION 2025 for his 3rd time!
Drew was also one of the brave attendees who took the stage in the course titled: SPEAK UP - Effective Communication! (Fun Fact - The course title, inspired in co-operation with Chris Cloutier, pre-dated this podcast!)
Working through his nerves, Drew gave his first ever speech to a room of 80 people. His speech stood out because he shared a story about personal triumph over adversity after being told by doctors, due to a condition, that his left arm would never be useful. Yet, Drew functioned for years as a heavy-repair specialist prior to his current role as a Service manager.
In this episode Drew describes what it was like at VISION this year, and how his participation on stage in the Speak Up course set the stage for his time at VISION.
As a first time speaker - we get to hear about his perspective of the audience - things he wished he remembered to say - and here in our conversation we created an opportunity to share a point from his speech which made his title even more memorable, as it punctuates the primary mission for this show; improving the image of our industry by becoming better communicators.
Todays Word of the Day:
gumption: noun
shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness. "Drew had the gumption to fund his own trip to VISION!"
Book Recommendation mentioned in this episode:
Millers Bolt by Thomas Stirr
Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound:
The Institute at WeAreTheInstitute.com. "Stop stressing over your business, you deserve a good night's sleep. The Institute’s coaching helps you achieve success and financial peace.
AutoFlow at AutoFlow.com. Your partner in technology, Autoflow consolidates your client interactions - before, during and after the visit to a single thread. Learn more at Autoflow.com
AutoLeap at AutoLeap.com. Are you tired of juggling multiple tools to manage your auto repair shop? Say hello to the streamlined efficiency of AutoLeap, the #1 all-in-one Auto Repair Shop Management Software!
Shop Dog Marketing at Shop Dog Marketing.com. "Want to see your auto repair shop thrive? Let Shop Dog Marketing be your guide. Our customer-first approach, combined with AI-driven creative content, ensures top rankings.
In-Bound at CallInBound.com. Cover your communication needs and revolutionize your auto repair business with AI-driven call analytics from InBound.
Contact Information
Email Craig O'Neill: [email protected] Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters
The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
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. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By Changing The Industry
Episode 211 - Trust, Ownership, and Ethical Sales with Kim and Brian Walker of Shop Marketing Pros
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By nptrb
It’s no secret that time is limited as an auto repair shop owner.
Between diagnosing complex engine issues to managing your mechanics and creating a five-star customer experience, there’s often little time left to focus on your financials.
But what happens when tax season rolls around, and you’re forced to buckle down on organizing your records and preparing your returns?
At Three Rivers Bookkeeping, we know the needs of your auto repair business from the inside out. You’re dealing with parts inventory, labor costs, shop equipment, and fluctuating busyness. Navigating the intricacies of tax filing on top of all that can be a real headache.
That’s why we’ve put together these practical tax tips to help you simplify the filing process! Follow these steps to get your financial house in order before the tax deadline on April 15th!
Tax Tip #1: Organized Record-Keeping (From Day One!)
This might sound obvious, but organized records are the foundation of stress-free tax filing.
Don’t wait until January to start sifting through a shoebox full of receipts. And if you’re reading this in April, remember to start getting organized now for next year!
Implement a consistent system for tracking all your income and expenses throughout the year.
Here’s a framework to follow to keep your records organized in your auto repair shop.
Separate Business and Personal Finances: This is crucial. Keep your business bank accounts and credit cards strictly for business transactions. This makes it significantly easier to track income and deductible expenses.
Categorize Everything: Establish clear categories for your income (e.g., labor, parts sales, diagnostics) and expenses (e.g., parts purchases, payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, marketing, shop supplies). Use accounting software or even well-organized spreadsheets to do this consistently.
Document Everything: Your records should be kept to the same standards as your shop schedule and organized and clear! Track your invoices, parts receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, and payroll records — no matter how small the cost! Every bit matters.
Track Mileage: If you or your employees use personal vehicles for business purposes (e.g., picking up parts, making service calls), keep a detailed mileage log. This should include the date, purpose of the trip, starting and ending mileage.
Organized records make it easier to identify deductible expenses, accurately calculate your income, and prepare your tax forms. This will save you tons of time and effort during filing season.
Tax Tip #2: Don’t Be Afraid to Leverage Technology
Technology is your best friend when it comes to efficiently managing the finances in your auto repair business. If you’re still relying on manual spreadsheets and a spare notebook, it’s time to swap them out for accounting software that is designed specifically for small businesses.
We recommend QuickBooks Online because it streamlines all of the important areas in business, including:
Your financial tracking process Automated reports Invoicing Payments Payroll You can even connect it to your bank accounts and credit cards to make importing transactions and categorization a hands-free task.
Tax Tip #3: Know Your Deductions
Your deductions can make or break you during tax season, which is why it’s critical for you to understand them! As an auto repair shop, your needs are very different from other service-based businesses.
Knowing what you can deduct is key to minimizing your tax liability.
Here is a checklist of common deductions specifically for the auto repair industry:
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Labor Costs Rent and Utilities Insurance Vehicle and Equipment Expenses Shop and Office Supplies Marketing and Advertising Professional Fees
Tax Tip #4: Plan Ahead and Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
If you find yourself frantically scrambling at tax season, planning ahead WILL help! Make tax season simple by staying organized, having financial systems in place, and relying on automated software.
Navigating your bookkeeping and tax filing on your own can be time-consuming and lead to costly errors.
If you want to leave your tax filing to the professionals, we’d love to help!
Three Rivers Bookkeeping specializes in working with auto repair shops, so you can rest assured during tax season.
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