GeeZ

I think all businesses have problem with text messaging and cell phone use in general. Some businesses ban cell phone use while working and allow use during breaks and lunch. In my health care business, majority of our employees are mothers, so I let them keep their phones for school emergencies unless one abuses the privilege. You will be surprised about how many people, think it is a "right" to have their cell phones on and carry on conversations while supposedly on the "clock." Of course most of these are younger people or "Y'genners" In our shop, 3 of the guys are my partners (all under 30). The biggest offender is the appointed mgr. In a middle of a management meeting, he will take a text message and answer it while we are waiting. But he says it is about business. Maybe. Smokers.... most of the smokers are older folks (50 and above) in the health care business. They take every break. One lady has developed emphysema, but won't admit it. Her lungs rattle with each breath. Lots of health care cost here. Some very large businesses (Forbes 500) have instituted a policy that they will pay for an anti-smoking program for a employee and give the employee 1 year to stop smoking then they fire them, if they don't achieve that goal. I only have 2 and both are older and better workers, so I will tolerate it. I think every business needs a policy on cell phone usage and smoking. Just be sure that it is in a policy book and everyone signs off.

As long as they are not playing rap or worse "gansta" rap, it is ok with me.

This "lady" is not a hoarder, she is a PIG! I have been in real hoarders home and they haven't had garbage sitting in the home. A hoarder has "stuff" on every horizontal surface, but I haven't seen garbage. My ex-partner in a previous business has a wife that is a hoarder. She buys stuff she does not need and has plenty of already. Your customer probably lives in her van.

You are speaking of a STOCK reflash and not performance reflash, right? A performance flash, will probably void the engine warranty.

Pretty ambitious plan for a 1st business. Especially for no management experience. The SBA does not lend money, they only guarantee the loan thru a bank. So you should have started with a bank who does SBA loan. At time, they are difficult to get as the banks are not even lending to on going businesses. Be careful with borrowing friends/family because it it a good way to loose friends and make for angry relatives. I started a shop (hi-perf). I spent $350,000 the first year with 2 techs. I am not a mechanic, but have 40 years managing several businesses (concurrently.) My wife and I do not draw a salary. 2 years later, we are barely breaking even. Shop has 2-4 post bays, 2-2 post, chassis dyno, air compressor, 2 band saws, TIG welder, drill, sanders, and misc. shop hand tools. We now have 4 techs. My investment doesn't compare with what you are planning. I have learned a lot about this business in the process. You are starting with a lot of overhead and you need to draw a salary. Go slow is best advice I can give you.

It is very difficult to start any business on a shoe string. Most businesses fail because the lack of capital. If possible, you should have at least 6 month of operating capital. Remember... location, location, location. When we were looking for rent space, I was amazed at the number of landlords that refused to rent to anything related to car repair. We looked for 6 months before finding something suitable. Try to find someone to mentor you. Someone in the business but not so close to your location that they will feel threatened. Good Luck!

I think that this qualifies as tortuous interference. Have your lawyer send them a nasty letter to cease and desist. Maybe they may think twice next time.

Don't do business for the pleasure of doing business. Many medical insurances have the exact same attitude. Many times if you stand your ground they will meet you at least half way.

The most frightening data is that effective this year, there are more Federal/municipality workers then private workers. There are 61% Federal/State/local government workers and 39% private. So if you consider that government workers don't really add to the economy but just take from the economy plus 20% of the of the population that just take (welfare, etc) that leaves few private workers supporting the entire country. We have become servants to the governments. Government workers have better pensions, better pay and better benefits. If this doesn't concern you then look at France where 81% of the workers are government workers.

The process is called cash flow. Unless you are flush with cash payers, you need it. Just be sure you have money when the bills come due.

We were an Interlock dealer for awhile too. Too many problems with clients that didn't show up for their scheduled appt and particular problems with a couple of clients. One was very aggressive with the mechanics and office and one who blamed us for scratches on his vehicle that was a wreck already. We quit after 4 months. Too little money for too much effort with the not only the mechanical part but the clients as well.

Hope the job pays well. Maybe, he could add a bridge or dentures!

Thanks for your reply. You are right about animosity amongst the high perf. shops. We have a couple that really don't like us. We won't respond to them. This happens mostly on the car forums. I learned in the health business not to bad mouth the competition. I PM'ed you. Thanks.

Who are the high performance shop owners? I would like to PM/email you for general liability insurance info. Thanks.

I hope so. Right now, during the hottest part of the day, the guys work for 30 min and come in to the office to cool off for 15. I decided to coat the roof with a Sherwin-Wms product called Kool-Seal. Hope to reduce the shop temp by 10-15 deg. F. The contractor said I would not need to coat the west wall. The cost will be $4600 for approx. 4500 sq ft. We'll see.

Sorry for the delayed answer. The shop is 4500 sq. ft. If I had built the shop, I would have had it a/c'ed. I have contacted several insulation "specialist" and they have various answers/quotes. 1. Spray on elastomeric paint on the roof. $4,000 (with permission of landlord) 2. Add sheet radiant barrier below the batt insulation. $3-$4000 3. Take off the batt insulation and spray on the bottom of the roof with radiant barrier. $2500 (we remove the insulation) 4. Spray the bottom of the insulation with radiant barrier paint. $2100 5. Paint the inside of the west/south walls with an elastomeric roofing paint with a radiant barrier additive. < $1000 I am leaning toward spraying the roof and painting the walls, because of aesthetics. Thanks for any advice.

Our shop is of the basic construction for Texas gulf coast. Metal roof, with some sort of batt insulation and concrete block walls. Needless to say it is very hot in the afternoon. Worse, we are in corner with a wall facing the hot west afternoon sun. The walls/ceiling measure 95+ in the mid-afternoon. Our shop is 4500 sq ft with 1 overhead door and 3 back door facing north in an alley way. We have 2 wall mounted fans and 3 mobile floor fans. Still very hot in the afternoon. My questions is for owners that have insulated their shops or have insulation. What is most effective method. I would like to drop the temp at least 10 deg F. I was looking at foam on the west wall and thermal barrier on the ceiling under the bat insulation. Also looking at thermal barrier paint. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

It is the parents' fault for not teaching their kids. Can you imagine what the grandchildren will be like?

That is exactly the case at this time. He can refuse to go, but he is a real car guy and brings his girl friend with him. He likes to talk to people and do a pretty good job of selling. But then that could be a problem since he is at that point, working. I was thinking of giving him comp time, but we pay him on a commission plus base and he needs to work. My young partners think I am over reacting, but I have had issues like this with real marketing people in a health care business. Appreciate the input. I really have learned a lot on this forum. Thanks.

Not asking for legal advice. Just how you would handle it. Thanks.

Part of our marketing is attendance to various car shows in the area, as we are a high performance shop. Basically we just display our personal cars and sometimes, customers' car (with permission, of course) and answer questions. Usually it is for 3-4 hours on the weekends, after regular work hours. For several of the guys, it is no problem, but we have 1 hourly employee. He likes to go and usually takes one of my extra car, but i am worried about the labor laws and insurance. Before I rack up hours with a labor law attorney, I wanted to canvas the membership here for information.

Good work.

I believe they are called "Green Leaf Recyclers" in Houston area. I like not having to go to a junk yard. You can go to a warehouse for pickup.

So, who is being raped?

All businesses seem to have this problem with all types of employees with 30 somethings. First, speak to him/her about the tardiness. He may have mitigating problems. Since in my primary business, I deal with mostly women, I have learned ask questions. Most common problem is taking kids to school in the morning. With this problem, I allow them to come in late and take a 30 min. lunch to make up for the tardiness. Failing this, I would start progressive discipline to get rid of him. Don't allow this situation to continue or as others have written, it will cause problems with the other employees. Good luck.