Starting an auto collision business is no easy task. But if you do it right, you could set up a profitable business. Before you begin, take time to network with coworkers and professionals, and gather as much advice as you can. Then choose a great location, reliable employees and begin building your client base.
Instructions
1. Create a network of advisers and potential clients. If you have been in the business before you decided to start your own, you probably will have contacts who will help you get started. A contact at a bank could help you get the loan you need to start the business. Contacts in the collision repair business could give you advice from their experience. Don't be afraid to ask advice from anyone and read books about starting a small business.
2. Choose a great location. Choose a location somewhere near a major highway or accident zone. Make sure your business is easily accessible from the road and for large tow trucks. Your business must be highly visible to large volumes of traffic. If people pass by your shop every day, they will be more likely to think of it when the time comes for collision or other auto repairs.
3. Hire good people. You need employees who will give customers a positive and memorable experience. Hire people who are hardworking and can get the job done quickly for customers. Hire honest people to combat the auto industry stereotypes. Select workers who will stay calm under pressure. The auto collision industry is tough, and customers who have just crashed their car are not happy. Try to think of friends or former co-workers who you can really rely on as employees.
4. Build your client base. Don't promote your business as just an auto collision shop. Do body and other repair work as well. If customers have a good experience with you they will come back when the bigger repairs are needed. Offer deep discounts and sales when you start out to bring in clients from other businesses they may have been using. Your first customers will likely be your friends, relatives and acquaintances, and you will need them to help spread the word about your new business. Word of mouth is one of the strongest advertising tools for a new business.
5. Set up appointments to meet with local companies that have a fleet of cars or work vehicles, and offer them special promotional discounts. Try to get contracts with them to service their vehicles.
6. Determine the amount of money you will need to start the business and keep it running for several months until income is generated. The auto collision business requires special tools, many of which can be expensive. Take inventory of any tools you already have and compile a list of what you will need to purchase. One reason new businesses often fail is lack of capital to keep the doors open until sufficient income is generated to handle expenses. Be sure to have funds available to buy the collision repair equipment you need, and to pay all bills and employee salaries for a minimum of several months before opening..
Tags: auto collision, will need, your business, advice from, auto collision business
