RR 238: Greg Bunch from Aspen Auto Clinic

Greg Bunch is the owner of Aspen Auto Clinic, a five-location automotive and service business in Colorado. Greg started his passion for cars at 15 when he began rebuilding a 1966 Volkswagen Bug.  Greg has moved from a Volkswagen mechanic to ASE Master Technician, to Management, to starting his shop 18 years ago in his garage, to an award-winning multi-location business.

Greg is currently a board member for the STEM-based charter school call “Automotive Institute of Science & Technology” and on the Advisory board of Ratchet and Wrench Magazine. Greg is also a board member of the Autocare organization and a certified instructor for the  Worldpac Training Institute and Carquest Technical Institute.  Greg’s unwavering passion for the industry has also led him to form a company called Transformers Institute, a coaching and training company dedicated to transforming the automotive industry. Listen to Greg’s previous episodes HERE.

Talking Points:

• He expanded to his second shop based on an interview he had with a technician who wanted to come to work for him.
  • Took only one week to close the transaction.
  • It was a tough year. Trial by fire. He didn’t know what he didn’t know.
  • The business models did not match. The business he bought was built on price. Greg’s business was not.
  • All technicians ultimately were replaced.
  • Took SBA loan.
• Traits of a shop owner who would like to expand:
  • Afraid of the risk.
  • Waiting to get ducks in a row.
  • Comfortable with what they have.
  • Don’t know how to get it done.
• When do you know when to expand?

Sound business practices help you scale to multiple locations.

• You must have documented systems and practices.
• A training system.
• Having the staff that knows what they are doing.
  • You must over-staff.
  • Integrated in your policies and procedures.
  • It will cost some money in payroll.
  • They must be exposed in your culture before you open.
• Don’t open two in the same year.
• If in a completely new market your cost of marketing is high because you cannot use the residual value of your current shop.
• Do the demographics and research income levels.
  • He is looking for $70 – $80 K income level to afford his services.
• Good technicians do not want to work weekend hours.
  • He recently changed his techs hours so they will only work Monday – Friday.
    • Saturday the service advisers work until noon.
• Service advisers are getting more hours of training per year than technicians.
  • Greg has a full-time trainer on board to train and develop Aspen’s sales system.
• You need capital to grow.
  • Owners need to take out what they need to live on so they can re-invest in their business.
  • Options for growth exist today.
• Customer Retention.
  • Their training system works on converting customers into really good customers.
  • Doing targeted direct mail to specific vehicle ownership.
• Transformer Mastermind Group.
  • Our mission is to change how auto service is seen by the public and to attract smart and talented people into the industry.
  • The group brings together higher-level operators.
  • They do not do shop visits.
  • They meet 4 times a year.

• Favorite quotes: Behavior never lies and Inspect what you expect.

Aspen Auto Clinic Website

Transformers Mastermind Website

Aspen Auto Clinic Profile

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