Joe Marconi

No, I have not lost my mind. I just wanted your attention. We all know that we have competitors. However, what we have just witnessed the past few months, due to COVID-19, gives me great hope that the independent auto repair shop is not just alive and well, but is sitting on the opportunity of a lifetime! While many dealers and big-box franchise either scaled down or temporarily closed, the majority of auto repair shop across this great nation remained open, adjusted their expenses and payroll, and are now experiencing a surge in business. Proof positive that the reasons we will thrive is because we are still, and will always be, the preferred choice of the motoring public. We are not a transactional, discount-driven business. We don’t hang Corporate logos above our bays. We are successful because we are part of the community. And we build relationships. Want to really thrive past this pandemic? Become even stronger in your community. Get involved in fund raisers, and all other local events. Great days are coming. Be part of it!

Let us all take time this weekend and reflect on the things that are priceless...Family and Life itself!

That is a real tough question. Although we are all auto repair shops, we don't all have the same business model. There are specialty shops, heavy trucks, large shops with quick lanes, on and on. For my shop, we are a general repair shop working on just about all makes a models. We have 11 bays and 6 techs. This gives each tech a spare bay for jobs that need time to complete. We do a lot of diagnostic work, but try to limit to a few per day as not to overload the techs with higly-complicated jobs. We also schedule a lot of service work, which brings on much-needed profit dollars. Lasty, we try to balance the wait customer to drop offs. Too may waits can get stressful. Boy, I hope this helps...tough question to answer.

Today is the first day of summer, and we are still dealing with the dreaded COVID-19. However, there are positive indicators that business will be better than expected this summer. People will be taking more road trips, will avoid airplanes, trains and Ubers and will take to the roads in record numbers. Gear up for a great summer and look for opportunity with each vehicle visit. Perform those multipoints as if your business depends on it….why?....Because it does! We have a lot to be thankful for. Keep positive, be a leader and thrive!

A ride to the Mall with my wife today (yes, I went to the Mall, got a problem?) gave me assurance that things are really getting back to normal. The stores were full, the roads were packed and expect for the masks people are wearing, you would think it's just another ordinary summer weekend!

TODAY IS THE 76TH ANNIVEARY OF D-DAY. LET US ALL REMEMEBER: Codenamed Operation Overlord, the battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France's Normandy region.

For many of us, it's been a wild ride the past few months. We had to take care of everything, making tough decisions, dealing with banks and the SBA and running the shop from the trenches. But, with things looking better each day, it’s time that we get back into the role of building and operating the company. For many, the COVID-19 crisis is far from over. However, the sooner we begin to adjust and build for the future, the better off we will be. Shop Owners are among the hardest working people on the planet. We find ways to get through the most difficult situations. I have no doubt that the lesson’s learned from this crisis will make us stronger and more successful.

Yes, with one clarification. I am comparing it to my average numbers for this time of the year. My usual sales in Feb, March and early April are not the same as late April and May when business usually is booming. But, I can't focus on what was...only on what is and what I can do to create new goals moving forward. I hope this makes sense.

While not giving my exact numbers, I can tell you that we are still down about 45%.

As the weeks pass, we are seeing different trends around the nation. Many shops have little to no impact from COVID-19, some are down 40 to 60% and some are nearly out of business. New York is rebouding slowly. Traffic is up and many businesses are gearing up to opening soon. Only time will tell the full impact of the crisis. For my business, I have made the economic adjustments, I will "wisely" use the PPP money and I look forward to the future success of my business. While there will be many lessons learned from this crisis; the most important lesson is to never forget that the shop owner's mind-set will dictate the shop's future. Stay positive, boost morale and be a strong leader.

Things "appear" to be getting better. Business is still down about 40%, but the phone is ringing more and traffic is increasing also. I don't want to get too optimistic, but I truly believe that we are heading in a positive direction. In addition, as the weather gets nicer, people will want to get and that means using their cars. In our area, we rely economically on NYC. The city will take time to recover, so we need to be careful and make the needed adjustments to our breakeven and other KPI's. Another positive note: Morale is up in the shop! Crisis times have a way of bringing people together.

New York just pushed the stay at home order to May 15th. Business is still down, along with all other businesses. Our sales are still off by better than 50%. Traffic is at an all time low. People are not going anyway. It' s my suspension that things in my area will not loosen up until late May. For now, we have made the economic adjustments and will build for the future. I am working on my recovery plan to come out of this stronger. What that looks like, I don't fully know yet . But remaining positive is number 1

I know that for many of us, these are tough times. But, as the saying goes, "This too shall pass." The reality is that no matter how bad things get, we will get through this. The question now should be, "What did we learn from this and how can we make ourselves and our businesses stronger." Out of every crisis there is triumph. You cannot have a rainbow without a storm. Learn from this crisis. Make decisions that have long-term affects. I know many of you are in crisis-mode, and rightly so. But the more you plan for the future, the better and stronger you will be. Get your numbers in order. Re-calculate your break-even, trim the fat off the expenses, get payroll in line with sales, negotiate your rent or mortgage and other loan terms, build a larger cash reserve. Don't sit on your hands. You are a shop owner....You wrote the book on Being Tough. Now, in the time of Crisis, prove it!

I like it. This type of community involvement goes a long way, and people will remember it for a long time.

Agree....There is still a rear quarter panel... what more do you want?

Wow. It kind of confirms what many of us have been thinking.

Wow. This confirms what a lot us have been thinking.

I think that many people are paying attention to local businesses now more than ever. But, they are not reacting. So many are hunkered down. And we understand that. I would encourage every shop to continue to send "Feel Good" promotions and message to your local community. Down play any hard sales, increase your exposure through all the media you use to tell everyone Your Story - "We are here to help. Auto-related or not. We are part of the community!" People will remember WHO you and your culture long after the crisis is over.

Ha! This is common in my neck of the woods!

We have not gotten our PPP money yet. It is frustrating that so many businesses are suffering. While I am believe that businesses need help due to the crisis, we need to look beyond this crisis and rebuild our businesses. We need to make the adjustments to payroll, trim expenses where we can, and undertand our new KPI's. If business remains soft for the near future, we need to undertand what we need to do to remain in business, while undertanding the long term affects of the economy. My advice is to restructure your business to meet the current state of sales. Utilize the financial help with the understanding that any long term success will be deterimined how you as the shop owner adjusts your business to your sales. Keep payroll and expenses in line, and prosper.

Thanks Frank! I appreciate the kind words. I will keep giving everyone updates on the cirisis from New York. If a guy from New York can make it through this, we all can! America Together!

New York Governor announced yesterday that the stay-home order will remain in effect until May 15th. With so many consumers not driving and so many businesses closed; sales will be a struggle for the next 4 weeks or more. Many Auto Shops across the country will be in the same boat. Ok, that's the bad news. The good news is that you are a shop owner, and no stranger to making tough decisions and finding solutions to the most complex problems. I know this is different, but truth is we are all learning together, and we will beat this. With that said, you will be called upon to remove the emotions from the situation and make the decisions that are best for your employees, family and for the business. You will need to look at your average sales and projected near-future sales and adjust your payroll accordingly. I hesitated for a few weeks, but then made the tough decision to cut staff to get my payroll in line with current sales. It had to be done. You will also need to look at each line on your Profit/Loss statement and see where you can shave any expenses. Even a few percentage points can end up saving a lot of money at the end of the month. Lastly, have daily meetings and let your remaining staff know what you are doing. Let them know that the number 1 goal is the health and welfare of everyone. Number 2: Ensure the business thrives, not just survives. You are tough....now go make those tough decisions!

I am on my 5th round of more PPP paper with my bank. You really need to speak to your lender for all the details. As it's written right now, you have to use 75% of the loan for payroll and hire back to pre-crisis level before June 30th. I am not an expert on this, so get the right information. Your concerns are valid; you don't want to incur more debt after this is all over.