Potential: You Be the Judge - A Case Study [E139] - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz

Published: Nov. 20, 2023, 5:15 a.m.

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In this podcast episode, Coach Chris Cotton provides advice to a San Diego auto repair shop owner looking to grow their business. The shop owner currently makes around $200,000 a year, mostly from custom jobs, and wants to increase profitability without working seven days a week. Coach Cotton suggests using a cloud-based SMS system for tracking numbers, advertising as a larger shop to attract more customers, and following California\'s hourly pay laws. He also advises focusing on oil services, brake, steering, and suspension work for consistent revenue, and charging separately for parts and labor. The shop owner admits to lacking proper income statements and running their business in an unstructured manner.

Coach Chris Cotton, 00:12:15, "If we don\'t have a legitimate business, we don\'t have anything at all."

  • The shop owner\'s challenges (00:02:17) The shop owner discusses their challenges in scaling their business, working long hours, and the need for more employees.
  • The issue with custom work (00:05:15) Coach Chris explains the common misconception of making money from custom work and advises focusing on regular retail customers.
  • Assessing the shop\'s financials (00:07:28) Coach Chris questions the shop owner\'s income statement, advertising budget, and advises tracking numbers and moving to a cloud-based SMS system.
  • The shop owner\'s financial situation (00:09:23) Discussion on expenses, rent, employee pay, and the potential legal consequences of not following labor laws.
  • The importance of proper advertising and marketing (00:12:15) Emphasis on the value of effective advertising and the difference between low-cost and high-quality marketing strategies.
  • Challenges with pricing, warranty, and business operations (00:15:13) Exploration of pricing strategies, the need for clear warranties, and the shop owner\'s lack of financial and operational management.
  • Oil services and alignment machines (00:17:55) Discussion about the importance of oil services and the misconception of alignment machines bringing in a lot of business.
  • Charging for parts and labor (00:20:42) Conversation about the necessity of marking up parts and the importance of charging for both parts and labor to run a profitable auto repair business.
  • Coaching package and growth potential (00:22:42) Discussion about the coaching package and the potential for the shop to double its revenue next year through improved processes, procedures, and technician work.

  • Shop owner wants to scale their auto repair business and improve profitability
  • Current revenue and net income of the shop owner
  • Coach Chris advises against custom jobs and suggests focusing on regular retail work
  • Importance of tracking profits regularly and using a cloud-based SMS system
  • Advertising strategies on Facebook, Instagram, and Google
  • Concerns about employee payment and legal issues in California
  • Suggestions for raising labor rates and providing clear warranties
  • Lack of proper income statements and structured business practices
  • Disappointment with the performance of the alignment machine
  • Focus on oil services, brake, steering, and suspension work for consistent revenue


Connect with Chris:

chris@autofixsos.com

Phone:...'