Mike Allen is the entrepreneurial owner of Carfix, a three-shop operation in Raleigh and Garner in North Carolina. Serving as the President of the Board of Directors for the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance and hosting the annual ASTA Expo, Mike embodies third-generation excellence in the auto repair industry. With his grandfather founding a multifaceted auto repair business in 1937, Mike was born into an environment where the industry was a staple at home. After taking the helm, he expanded his family legacy, demonstrating growth in both his business and his passion for the automotive service community.

In this episode…

The automotive industry is evolving with new strategies for managing and growing repair businesses. What are the key techniques for increasing customer satisfaction and boosting revenue in the automotive industry?

According to Mike Allen of Carfix, implementing a customer-first approach is crucial for long-term success in the automotive repair business. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, clear communication, and reliable service to build trust and loyalty among customers. Additionally, Mike discusses the significance of adopting the latest technologies and training staff to stay updated with industry advancements, which can lead to more efficient operations and higher customer satisfaction.

On this episode of Gain Traction, host Mike Edge welcomes guest Mike Allen to discuss various strategies for enhancing business performance in the automotive repair sector. They cover topics such as effective marketing techniques, the benefits of investing in staff development, and the role of innovative tools in streamlining repair processes. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by automotive repair businesses and practical solutions to overcome them.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [0:12] How automotive entrepreneur Mike Allen expanded his family's legacy to three successful shops
• [2:12] Mike shares his journey from being a child in the car business to a leader shaping the industry's future
• [2:46] Why community involvement and customer service are important in building a lasting automotive business 
• [4:45] The effective growth strategies of acquiring existing businesses and integrating them into a larger operation 
• [9:00] How to elevate your automotive company with a focus on relational rather than transactional business models
• [25:08] The simple yet powerful core values that drive the business and personal life of a seasoned entrepreneur

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Mike Allen on LinkedIn
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Carfix
• Automotive Service and Tire Alliance
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments:

1. "You're a dumbass if you don't go back to the business and take it over from dad because it's such a great operation."
2. "He trained me to negotiate with vendors and how to read financial statements and how to try to recruit, hire, retain, that kind of stuff, which I'm very thankful for."
3. "We're in the hospitality business. It just so happens that the product we sell is fixing cars, right?”
4. "If somebody calls looking for tires, they're not going to get tires anywhere other than here."
5. "Be nice, tell the truth, have fun, and be thankful."

Action Steps:

1. Harness legacy knowledge: embrace and leverage the experience and insights from previous generations to inform modern business practices.
2. Prioritize relational business models: shift the business focus from mere transactions to nurturing long-term relationships, ensuring repeated business and customer loyalty.
3. Broaden skill sets in business: focus on understanding broader business skills like vendor negotiations and financial management rather than just technical expertise.
4. Expand strategically via acquisition: explore the acquisition of existing businesses as a growth strategy to increase market share efficiently.
5. Foster core values: embed the company culture and personal life with essential principles such as integrity, gratitude, and enjoyment of work, leading to a complimenting and balanced lifestyle.

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. 

At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. 

By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.

We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.