Looking for help - Performance Oriented

[1QuickS]

I'm in the mood to look for help with my Weber carb service business; I have intentions to expand it into other areas.

The real trouble is my location (Chico, CA) and access to qualified personnel.

A little help/advice/referrals/etc.

Thanks!

[aigel]

We need more information here. What do you do in your business? Rebuild carburetors? What do you want to expand it to? Are you a one-man show?

I am familiar with the area you live in, and can imagine that good help is tough to find. I always thought carb rebuild places employed older women that were well trained on the job. Maybe that's the demographic you should be after for your staff, if you are willing to train?

G

[1QuickS]

I am a one man shop, specializing in 911 carburetors. "Rebuilding" comes at the end of my work; I remanufacture/restore/modify the Webers, Solexes and Zeniths for 911 use.

I have a mechanical engineering background which provides the technical basis for my service oriented business. I sweep the floors, run the mill, pay the bills and market my services.

There exists a larger market for premium carburetor service (Ferrari) and MFI throttle body service for Porsche but without help I don't chose to expand since I have backlog of four months at this time; adding to my offerings would extend backlog.

Training is not a problem but the possibility of losing a trained employee for greener pastures is real so I'm thinking of more experienced, possibly retired candidates who would be seeking a supplemental income. I am aware of the talents of females for performing assembly work, as I recall they are more willing to endure tasks that the guys lose patience with. I know that Richard Parr of PMO carburetors has employed a female for quite some years performing this type of work...thank you for that suggestion!

Ideally I would like to move into a commercial space and get two people; one to perform prep work and one that could parallel my work.

The advice I seek is "words of wisdom" from those with similar experience in getting from the one man world and transitioning into a space with more help without compromising the quality of service that brings in customers.

Thank you for input!

[aigel]

I can't be of a lot more help here, hopefully some of the small biz. guys who actually own a business will chime in.

One recommendation that I have left is to delegate the non-skilled labor that's cheap and easy to obtain so you can focus on the skilled labor yourself. Parts cleaning, prep, shop cleaning, shipping & receiving etc. may be enough work for hiring someone half time which will free you up.

G

[bell]

G said it.......hire a friendly cute girl to sweep up, answer phones, shipping receiving etc.....it'll let you concentrate on the money making portion, this will also let you Get a second person you could mentor/train to sit your needs

[Drisump]

Many specialized one man bands have the same problem no matter where they're located. Effort and time to train is considerable and candidate selection is an area that few people are very good at. It seems to me a technically oriented receptionist/janitor/office manager would probably be the best first step...Not an easy job to fill, but you may be surprised with the job experience of many older women getting back to work after the kid years. The idea being that she would free you up to actually produce paying work,(all businesses, no matter how small, require much time answering phones and e-mails, ordering supplies, filing, receivables...etc.) and if she shows the aptitude, start training her on the shop stuff. If that works out, hire another receptionist/janitor/office manager. I know it's not that easy but I think the first step should be eliminating YOUR wasted time. Good luck

[1QuickS]

Thanks for the replies. I did have a part time helper that was enrolled in the local junior college in the auto repair program. I had him working in parts prep and all was well until he "abandoned his job"...

I'm thinking a retired guy/gal looking for supplemental income would be better than a youngster looking for the next best thing.

Cheers to all!

[85eurocarrera]

I have similar issues. small 1.5 man shop, unique skillset. I have a retired experienced part time employee. hard to push him too much though, doesn't need the money.

I hire out the accounting side, but do all the rest. Good luck.