Episode 245 - Why Shop Owners Need a Plan Beyond Fixing Cars With Cecil Bullard
Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
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Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE
Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026
Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability
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In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Cecil Bullard, industry veteran and business coach. Cecil shares the importance of properly valuing diagnostic labor in automotive shops, explaining why most shops fail to charge adequately for the complex testing modern vehicles require. The conversation highlights the necessity for shop owners to plan for their financial future, emphasizing retirement strategies and the risks of working solo. Finally, they discuss the value of building a strong team and why technicians with no interest in leading or managing should reconsider opening their own shop.
00:00 DHT's Impact on Male Development
00:00 DHT's Impact on Male Development
08:25 Auto Shop Diagnostic Process
14:58 Hormones, Cars, and Adjustments
20:55 Optimizing Average Repair Order
26:23 Professional Standards in Coaching
32:23 "Raise Your Labor Rate"
33:52 "Revenue Variance Insights"
41:03 "Family Shop Management Plan"
46:51 "Contentment, Family, and Responsibility"
50:35 "Solo Work: Control vs. Risk"
57:30 Risk Balancing for Lifestyle Goals
01:02:58 Debt vs. Investing Motivation Struggles
01:06:09 Sun's Shift in Auto Shop Strategy
01:14:51 "Perspective and Self-Improvement Insights"
01:17:37 "Beyond Fixing Cars"
