Most mechanics use their skills working for someone else. But if you have business skills and access to some capital, you’ll be in a good position to learn how to start an auto repair shop of your own. There’ll always be demand for good quality, reliable mechanics – so get started, and set up your very own mechanic business.
If you want to simplify the task of business implementation for yourself, try auto repair shop software, so your workers can do their jobs more efficiently without having to manually create product catalogs or spreadsheets. It will be possible to spend a minimum of time on all organizational issues.
Plan Ahead
One of the very first things you’ll need to do is write a business plan. No doubt you’ve heard the saying before: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Every business needs a plan, and it’s got to be more than just “We’ll rent a shop and fix cars for money. If we get enough customers, we will make a profit.” Sure, that’s the basic goal – but it’ll be much harder to achieve it you don’t lay the foundations for success by planning well. You need to set clear goals for where your business is headed, as well as more achievable shorter-term goals – and then set out how you intend to reach them. Your plan should also include things like advertising methods and expenses, as well as any specific start-up costs that you’ll have to pay, for example to buy vital equipment such as an engine crane. You don’t necessarily have to open your own repair shop from scratch – you could look into buying one that already exists and is up for sale. That way you’ll already have a suitable building to use, as well as a few employees who may stick around under the new ownership, and even more importantly returning customers and an established marketing presence – though if the existing business has a bad reputation beware, you could end up spending a fortune on marketing to put that right. You could also consider purchasing a franchise branch of an established company. This mean you operate under their name instead of your own, and that established brand name is a reassurance to customers that your garage can be trusted. Training and equipment is also generally provided. However, you may be limited to the company’s business practices in a way you wouldn’t when running your own business.
Location, Location, Location
Whether you choose to franchise, buy an existing shop, or branch out on your own – location is vital in the mechanics business. Perhaps even more so than other types of business, your location will play a huge role in whether your business succeeds or fails. Shops located near major roads or in the middle of busy towns or cities typically fare much better than those out in the middle of nowhere. That being said, if you set up in a more rural area with a close-knit community and gain their trust, treating customers well and getting the work done quickly and effectively, then you could form a far bigger core customer base that will pass down through the generations.
About Carson Derrow
