Six Shops in Eleven Years: The Story Behind This Explosive Growth [RR 557]
Matt Lachowitzer is a husband, father of 3, avid Minnesota Vikings fan, and owner and founder of Matt’s Automotive Service Center. A Herman, MN native, Matt started this company as a two-bay shop back in 2009. He has expanded the company into 6 locations with beautiful, state of the art facilities all over the Fargo-Moorhead area. Matt enjoys being a pillar in the community, giving back in any way he can, and providing knowledge and education in the biggest ways possible. As a result of being a continuous educator and an amazing pillar in the community, Matt won Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015 through the Fargo-Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. When Matt’s not working, he enjoys fishing, riding ATV’s, watching football, and traveling with his family. Check Matt’s other episodes HERE.
Key Talking Points:
- Grew up wanting to be a lawyer then plan B was diesel mechanics The family sold the farm, dropped out of school and started working at local GM Dealer
- Opened first shop with support of wife
- 6 locations in 11 yearsThe secret is hiring employees that believe in your company and what you’re doing and being a pillar in the surrounding communities
- Culture of business- people want to feel something when they come to work, customers want to feel like they had an experience
- Continue to “wow” your customer and have a relationship with them- giving them a card, blanket, flag, etc- cement that “wow” moment with the customer to create your brand
- Need to have standard operating systems in order to successfully run multiple locations
- Connect customer with the technician that works on their car
- Training- twice a month and 3.5 hours each timeBuilt training facility
- SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats) once a quarter
- A lottery system for employees to go to other training opportunities/seminars- if they go they are required to help develop training for the rest of the employees that didn’t go
- Connecting with the communityEncouraging entrepreneurshipGirl scout cookie badge- any girl scout that comes into each store to sell the store will buy 2 boxes (has to be the actual girl scout). Donated half of the cookies local food pantries and the other half sent to veterans overseas
- Make a wish foundation Sister is cancer survivor and business strives to grant a wish to one child per year
- Day of Service- 5th year The nomination process to get up to $1,000 worth of repairs on the vehicle the day after Thanksgiving
- Any car that has a child seat in the back, technicians take a teddy bear and buckle it in and make note of version (change teddy bear once a year) and the customer keeps it. On pace to go through 25,000 teddy bears. This isn’t just a car, it’s a customer
- Knowledge is power: women car care events- 14 events so far. Average attendance is around 80
Resources:
- Thanks to Matt Lachowitzer for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
- Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
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About the author, Carm Capriotto, AAP
Carm is the founder and host of the Remarkable Results Radio Podcast and the pioneer of automotive aftermarket podcasts. Carm calls on his years of experience in the aftermarket to bring engaging stories from his guests.
Listen to raw, unfiltered, honest, and sincere stories that include insights, trends, best practices, and expertise. Each interview brings an opportunity to learn one new thing through the stories of personal achievement. Many podcast guests tell their story of transformation from working in their business to working on it.
As host of over 1,000 episodes, Carm uses his enthusiasm and passion for the aftermarket especially the service sector to take his listeners on a journey showcasing successful service professionals’ paths to Remarkable Results. He also enjoys interviews with aftermarket industry thought leaders who bring their industry perspectives to his listener.
Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast listening app and always listen to learn just one thing!