Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

What would it take to double your shop’s success? I.e., 200% of your current sales, gross profit, and net profit?

In this special 200th episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA at Paar Melis & Associates, breaks down the math, mindset, and milestones behind scaling your shop’s numbers without burning out your team or outgrowing your facility too soon.

From practical examples to real-world projections, Hunt shows you how to build a realistic roadmap for growth. Whether it’s raising your labor rate, boosting productivity, or understanding how small compounding changes translate to massive results, you’ll see that doubling your profit doesn’t always mean doubling your workload.

By the end, you’ll know how to forecast, plan, and execute your own “Road to 200” — step by step.

Ideal for shop owners and managers who are ready to scale their business with data-driven, sustainable growth strategies. 

What you’ll discover…

(02:30) The difference between doubling your numbers and a “200% increase.” 

(04:20) Increase your prices or increase your production?

(06:15) What happens when you try to double sales purely through pricing?

(07:15) How to plan realistic, incremental labor rate increases year over year

(15:25) When your shop’s size, staffing, and space become limiting factors in growth

(18:15) The hidden compounding effect between pricing and productivity

(19:10) Why gross profit is more important than sales (and how to double it)

(21:30) How doubling sales can more than double your profit if your team is efficient

(28:45) Why cutting expenses rarely doubles profit (and what to do instead)

(34:00) The compounding math behind raising prices and productivity together

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

Are you rewarding your team, or paying extra taxes to do it? Could a few words on your payroll save you thousands a year?

In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar, Melis & Associates, explains why the difference between an allowance and a reimbursement could save both you and your employees thousands of dollars a year.

From cars and cell phones to tool truck payments, Hunt breaks down how changing just a few words on your payroll setup can turn a taxable perk into a tax-free benefit. Through clear examples and real-shop math, he reveals how to keep Uncle Sam’s cut out of your employee bonuses and put that money back where it belongs — in your business.

If you’ve ever handed out end-of-year bonuses, paid mileage, or covered employee phone bills, this episode will show you a smarter, legally compliant way to do it.

Shop owners, service advisors, and bookkeepers who want to reward staff without paying unnecessary payroll taxes.

What you’ll discover…

(02:00) How a small change in wording saves 25–30% in taxes

(04:10) Why giving an “auto allowance” is the same as providing a raise 

(07:10) Cellphone allowance insights

(11:00) Tools allowance and reimbursement insights

(11:40) How a $200 tool payment becomes $150 after taxes, and how to make it a full $200 with one form

(14:10) What the IRS calls “fringe benefits” and how to use them responsibly to benefit both sides

(14:30) Turning bonuses into reimbursements so your team keeps 100% of their money

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

Should you lease or buy your next vehicle or piece of shop equipment?

In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis and Associates, walks through the real-world math behind leases and loans, from tax deductions to depreciation traps, so you can make decisions based on dollars and sense, not dealer pressure.

Using simple examples (from a $25K Corolla loaner car to a five-year alignment machine lease), Hunt explains why some “deals” only look good on paper and when a lease actually protects your shop from risk.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re saving money or just deferring pain, this episode will give you the clarity you need before you sign.

Auto shop owners, bookkeepers, and anyone making equipment or vehicle purchase decisions for their business will find this episode especially valuable.

What you’ll discover…

(02:00) The two big purchases every shop faces and why they’re treated differently

(04:25) Why buying often wins on tax deductions (and what leasing actually writes off)

(06:30) When a lease really does make sense 

(09:30) Luxury vehicles vs daily drivers: How depreciation changes the math

(14:10) What equipment leases and copier contracts have in common

(14:50) The difference between operating and capital leases and why only one builds equity

(16:05) The benefits of a bank loan 

(16:30) The real cost of leases and why you can’t save by paying them off early

(17:50) Why people choose leases

(18:31) Why a loan almost always beats a lease for your bottom line

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

What if the biggest problems facing auto repair shops today aren’t what you think they are?

And what if the future of the industry is being shaped right now, quietly, behind the scenes, by the conversations shop owners aren’t having?

In this episode, Hunt Demarest sits down with Chris Jones, the editorial force behind Ratchet+Wrench and several of the industry’s most influential publications. From talent shortages to tech adoption, from mental health to multi-shop growth, Jones offers a clear-eyed look at where the automotive repair world is heading, and where shop owners should be refocusing their energy.

This conversation cuts through the noise and gets real about the pressures, opportunities, and evolving expectations shaping today’s shop environment.

Whether you’re struggling to hire, trying to improve efficiency, or simply looking for clarity in a rapidly changing industry, this episode will help you understand what today’s shop owners must prioritize — and how to build a healthier, more resilient business.

What you’ll discover…

(02:25) Why shops are finally catching up to retail-style convenience and technology

(03:40) The mindset difference that sets high-performing shop owners apart

(05:25) The MSO lesson that surprised everyone — and why process beats everything

(07:45) The efficiency challenges shop owners can’t stop talking about

(08:50) Why technician shortages aren’t unique to auto repair — and what must change

(10:25) The shocking reality of six-figure tech jobs no one is filling

(12:20) What 2025 really looked like for shops — and what 2026 may bring

(15:10) How understanding neurodivergence can transform shop culture and performance

(17:55) What customers actually want now: speed, communication, and clear expectations

(21:25) Chris’s best advice for shop owners navigating today’s challenges

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

How much does it really cost your shop to win a new customer, and is it worth it?

Most shop owners don’t realize they’re spending hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars just to bring in a single new face, and in some cases, they’re losing money on every “win.”

In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis and Associates, breaks down the real cost of customer acquisition and why understanding Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Customer Value (LTV) can make or break your business.

Hunt exposes the hidden math behind flashy ad campaigns that fail to pay off, showing how every dollar spent should be tied to measurable, long-term value. 

Whether you’re trying to grow your car count or cut wasted marketing spend, this episode will help you see what your customers are truly worth and how to make every one count.

What you’ll discover…

(00:15) Why CAC and LTV are key to making sense of your marketing spend

(02:30) Why percentage-based ad budgets often fail auto repair shops

(05:05) What happens when you expect your ads to “pay off in one visit”

(07:10) How to calculate Customer Acquisition Cost 

(11:15) Understanding Lifetime Customer Value 

(16:20) Analyzing CAC and LTV for smarter business decisions

(20:20) Proven strategies to improve CAC and LTV in your shop

(24:35) Why word-of-mouth shops can have zero acquisition cost and massive lifetime value

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

“How much should I actually spend on advertising?”

In this week’s episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, tackles one of the most misunderstood questions in the auto repair world.

You’ve probably heard the “3–6% rule” a hundred times, but Hunt pulls back the curtain on why that simple percentage can mislead shop owners. Whether you’re a small shop trying to grow or an established business struggling to see ROI from your marketing spend, this episode helps you rethink the way you budget, measure, and analyze your advertising dollars.

From Google Ads to billboards, Hunt explains why advertising isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula — and why your shop’s biggest problem might not be marketing at all, but a broken funnel.

What you’ll discover…

(00:11) How to calculate an effective advertising budget for your auto repair shop.

(02:24) Why the “3–6% Rule” doesn’t fit every business.

(04:49) Why early-stage shops must break the “percentage of sales” mindset.

(06:58) The hidden problem: when production is your real bottleneck, not car count. 

(09:22) The importance of setting specific car-count goals and measurable expectations.

(11:39) How to judge ROI beyond percentages 

(14:01) Customer lifetime value and acquisition costs

(16:19) Translating advertising into car count — and why tracking your leads properly can reveal your real ROI.

(18:45) When to cut or double down

(21:06) Stop relying on your marketing company’s numbers

(23:17) Why location, reputation, and repeat customers change everything 

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest of Paarmelis & Associates breaks down one of the most misunderstood metrics in the automotive repair world: effective labor rate.

Many shop owners chase “higher door rates,” but as Hunt reveals, that number often has little to do with your actual profit. From oil changes to state inspections, he explains how small pricing decisions can quietly eat away at your margins—and how to fix them.

If you’ve ever asked, “What percentage should my effective labor rate be compared to my door rate?”—this episode is your wake-up call.

Hunt also shares how two shops charging wildly different rates can end up with the same revenue, why discounting can destroy profitability, and what you should really track to make more money without working harder.

What you’ll learn

(01:20) “What’s a good percentage for effective labor rate?”

(02:10) Why a 75% effective rate isn’t always bad—and why 100% isn’t always good.

(03:40) Real-world variance of top-performing shops 

(04:50) Understanding how door rate differs from effective labor rate.

(05:40) The $75 oil change that’s secretly earning you just $30/hour.

(07:15) How two shops can charge the same customer price but get different profit outcomes.

(11:30) Working smarter, not harder.

(13:00) Why chasing “door rate” vanity metrics is a trap.

(16:10) Pricing and productivity—and which one you’re probably ignoring.

(17:40) How ignoring effective rates hides true performance.

(18:50) Real client case study: Texas shop struggling with low effective rate due to state inspections.

(20:00) Action steps: How to spot your low-performing categories and limit the downside.

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

After years of waiting, many shop owners are discovering that their long-anticipated Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) checks may never come — and worse, some are facing IRS audits they didn’t see coming. In this week’s episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA at Paar Melis & Associates, breaks down the chaos behind the ERTC delays, what triggers an audit, and what every business owner should be doing right now to protect themselves.

This Week, Hunt takes listeners inside the IRS’s renewed crackdown on ERTC claims. From delayed payments and disappearing credit firms to official audit questionnaires, Hunt shares real client examples, reveals the riskiest filing groups, and explains why quarter three of 2021 has become the IRS’s favorite target. He also offers actionable advice on what to do if you’re still waiting for your refund—or worse, if you’ve received an audit letter.

In This Conversation:

• (04:10) The truth about ERTC payment delays and why checks have slowed since mid-2024 
• (08:35) Why the IRS is focusing on third quarter 2021 claims 
• (13:40) How credit firms and PEO companies like BBSI became audit magnets 
• (18:55) What the official IRS audit questionnaire looks like — and how to prepare 
• (23:22) Key warning signs your ERTC claim could be flagged
• (27:10) Why smaller, direct filers are less likely to face audits 
• (31:00) What to do (and not do) if you haven’t received your ERTC payment 
• (35:45) Hunt’s cautious outlook for 2025 and what it means for shop finances

If you’re ready to protect your shop from ERTC chaos and stay informed on what the IRS is really doing behind the scenes, this episode is essential listening.

• IRS Official ERTC Audit Questionnaire: https://info.paarmelis.com/hubfs/Employer%20Response%20to%20IRS%20Document%20Request%20Form.docx

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

Every shop owner knows the feeling — the harder you work, the less time you seem to have. But what if you could have both? In this week’s Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demerast, CPA, explores the hidden link between profit and time — and why the goal isn’t working harder, but working smarter. From understanding your “hourly rate” as an owner to identifying the difference between working in versus on your business, Hunt breaks down the real math behind sustainable success.

This week, Hunt Demerast dives into one of the toughest balancing acts in business: choosing between profit and free time. Drawing on real-world examples from shop owners, Hunt reveals how to calculate your true hourly worth, where to stop trading hours for dollars, and how to reclaim your freedom without losing financial ground.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• (00:00) The myth of “profit versus time”
• (02:20) Why owner mindset still mirrors employee logic
• (04:45) How to measure profit in context — sales, time, and effort
• (07:05) The missing metric: how long it takes to make your profit
• (09:25) Poor people buy things, rich people buy time
• (11:45) How to calculate your real hourly rate
• (16:25) Tracking your time: the game-changer for owners
• (18:40) The “work smarter, not harder” equation
• (21:01) Working in vs. on your business

(23:23) The $10 million question: what is your time really worth?

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File

Ever been charged for someone else’s part? Or failed to get a credit on a return you were sure you’d handled? You’re not alone—and those small leaks could be costing your auto shop thousands each month. This week, Hunt Demerast breaks down how to uncover where your money is really going, how to reconcile your parts purchases with your accounting, and the systems that will save your sanity (and your margins).

Hunt tackles one of the most overlooked financial drains in auto repair: parts reconciliation. He explains why even the most organized shops are losing money on parts they never installed, how to calculate your “materiality threshold,” and how to spot errors before they hit your books. Whether you’re doing this manually or with a tool like Wicked File, Hunt gives you the framework to finally take control of your true parts costs.

In This Conversation

If you’ve ever wondered why your parts bill doesn’t match your management report, this episode is your roadmap. Hunt shares:

• Why every shop, no matter how tight their systems, is losing money somewhere
• How to identify when a discrepancy is worth investigating
• The most common (and costly) causes of mismatched reports
• A step-by-step way to reconcile parts by vendor—and stop the losses for good

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• (00:50) The real cost of missing or miscredited parts
• (03:45) Why you might need to sell a part three times to make up for one mistake
• (07:00) How to find your “materiality level” and stop wasting time chasing pennies
• (10:20) When it’s worth digging into discrepancies—and when it’s not
• (13:58) The biggest reporting and accounting errors shops make
• (16:40) How personal use and “side projects” distort your financials
• (18:40) Spotting red flags: theft, double billing, and incomplete tickets
• (21:20) Setting up systems and procedures that prevent lost profit
• (22:50) Why Wicked File’s AI helps you catch issues in real time

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/

Thanks to our Partner WickedFile

Turn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop 

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.