For those of you that do this for a living
I worked in the Motorcycle/ATV industry for a few years. Small, local Non-dealer shop. We had a good reputation around town and many regular customers. Honestly, best job i ever had. But it was not making a living and even the owner did it as a side gig. Too much competition and everyone wants something for nothing. After doing that for a few years, i would never want to own my own shop as my sole income.
Work in Product Development Engineering currently, but spent most of the last decade in industrial maintenance. Still enjoy wrenching on the side for my own stuff as well as customers rides but even running a very small side business, it is enough of a taste remind me i don't want to do it full time. We focus more on off road fabrication than just wrenching, but do our fair share of that as well. It is enough to keep the garage stocked with some nice Tools, one of the better home shops i have seen really, but we don't make much actual money at it and don't really want it. Considered patterning with my brother a few years back to go 100% legit with it but both decided it was not gonna work.
But i have seen in work well also. A few buddies opened up a race car shop that went from being a simple side job after their regular 9-5's too they are book out for almost a full year with work right now in only just over 3 years of being in business. They are pretty much the go to guys for drag racing chassis work in my area now in a very short time. That said, they no longer have the time work on their own stuff any longer because business is so booming.
Work in Product Development Engineering currently, but spent most of the last decade in industrial maintenance. Still enjoy wrenching on the side for my own stuff as well as customers rides but even running a very small side business, it is enough of a taste remind me i don't want to do it full time. We focus more on off road fabrication than just wrenching, but do our fair share of that as well. It is enough to keep the garage stocked with some nice Tools, one of the better home shops i have seen really, but we don't make much actual money at it and don't really want it. Considered patterning with my brother a few years back to go 100% legit with it but both decided it was not gonna work.
But i have seen in work well also. A few buddies opened up a race car shop that went from being a simple side job after their regular 9-5's too they are book out for almost a full year with work right now in only just over 3 years of being in business. They are pretty much the go to guys for drag racing chassis work in my area now in a very short time. That said, they no longer have the time work on their own stuff any longer because business is so booming.
Man one of the better threads on here. Kudo's to the guys living the life. The advise on managing customer expectations is priceless.
Reminds me a comedian who had a bit wondering if lesbian gynecologists ever came home and say "If I see one more vagina I'm going to scream!!" Like my father once told me at some point even the coolest work becomes just a job.
I once wanted to be a body mechanic but my father talked me out of it by telling me all of his body shop buddies were alcoholics because that was the only way they could get the dust out of their throats. I did the military-engineering school thing as well and lucked out into becoming a radar engineer. Work for a big company making really cutting edge stuff, all while getting paid pretty well. I get treated pretty well, I have a real office and can fart all I want. You would think working on something different every year would never get old but it can.
Lately all I want to do is take parts off one bicycle and put them on another. Much cheaper than working on the car. But being a hobby I have the option of working or not. Not an option if working on the car was paying the rent or putting food on the table.
I do feel for the professional mechanics out there. There are so many rip off car repair places that I think people walk into shops all jacked up convinced they need to protect themselves from getting screwed. Add to that the idea that most people have no idea how much it costs to run a business and everyone wanting a deal makes for a difficult way to earn a living.
Reminds me a comedian who had a bit wondering if lesbian gynecologists ever came home and say "If I see one more vagina I'm going to scream!!" Like my father once told me at some point even the coolest work becomes just a job.
I once wanted to be a body mechanic but my father talked me out of it by telling me all of his body shop buddies were alcoholics because that was the only way they could get the dust out of their throats. I did the military-engineering school thing as well and lucked out into becoming a radar engineer. Work for a big company making really cutting edge stuff, all while getting paid pretty well. I get treated pretty well, I have a real office and can fart all I want. You would think working on something different every year would never get old but it can.
Lately all I want to do is take parts off one bicycle and put them on another. Much cheaper than working on the car. But being a hobby I have the option of working or not. Not an option if working on the car was paying the rent or putting food on the table.
I do feel for the professional mechanics out there. There are so many rip off car repair places that I think people walk into shops all jacked up convinced they need to protect themselves from getting screwed. Add to that the idea that most people have no idea how much it costs to run a business and everyone wanting a deal makes for a difficult way to earn a living.
I'm already ready to pack it in. Or at least limit what work I do and who I do it for. Maybe just sell completed turbo build cars.
I think people just have a warped perception of what it takes to make a lot of power reliably.
"but matt happel did it!"
mf'r you aint matt happel
I think people just have a warped perception of what it takes to make a lot of power reliably.
"but matt happel did it!"
mf'r you aint matt happel
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,295
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
Doug, this is why I'm so particular about the projects I'm willing to take on and who I'll do work for. I prefer working with realistic people who are appreciative.
My personal suggestion, make sure the clients and respective jobs you are taking on fit your own personal beliefs and interests.If someone has unrealistic goals or a bad attitude I tell them I'm not interested and keep stepping.
I don't have many customers but I have repeat customers.
My personal suggestion, make sure the clients and respective jobs you are taking on fit your own personal beliefs and interests.If someone has unrealistic goals or a bad attitude I tell them I'm not interested and keep stepping.
I don't have many customers but I have repeat customers.
I'm already ready to pack it in. Or at least limit what work I do and who I do it for. Maybe just sell completed turbo build cars.
I think people just have a warped perception of what it takes to make a lot of power reliably.
"but matt happel did it!"
mf'r you aint matt happel
I think people just have a warped perception of what it takes to make a lot of power reliably.
"but matt happel did it!"
mf'r you aint matt happel
Doug, this is why I'm so particular about the projects I'm willing to take on and who I'll do work for. I prefer working with realistic people who are appreciative.
My personal suggestion, make sure the clients and respective jobs you are taking on fit your own personal beliefs and interests.If someone has unrealistic goals or a bad attitude I tell them I'm not interested and keep stepping.
I don't have many customers but I have repeat customers.
My personal suggestion, make sure the clients and respective jobs you are taking on fit your own personal beliefs and interests.If someone has unrealistic goals or a bad attitude I tell them I'm not interested and keep stepping.
I don't have many customers but I have repeat customers.
It's true I haven't vetted people very well. I hate to admit it but maybe I'm an optimist haha. If anything else it certainly is a learning experience!
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Expectations.
In the hp game these are almost never met. This is nothing new, everyone used to read HotRod rags and brag up how they will use this magic part and make BIG hp numbers blah blah blah. A local dyno to me has "the bull **** stops here" painted on the floor because of all the smack talk. The art of selling and customer management is very under rated in business. Most people like to think the work is all that matters and while that is a critical component to succeeding in business, its not the only critical component. Then beyond the critical roles required there is the place where you can excel and outpace your competitors and thats why so few who enter into business REALLY become something big. The odds of beating everyone on skill, customer management, timing, performance, branding, and then be competitively priced? It's not easy by any stretch.
It's very unfortunate when customers have little to no appreciation for this. Echo above by choosing your customers wisely. Important measure to take
In the hp game these are almost never met. This is nothing new, everyone used to read HotRod rags and brag up how they will use this magic part and make BIG hp numbers blah blah blah. A local dyno to me has "the bull **** stops here" painted on the floor because of all the smack talk. The art of selling and customer management is very under rated in business. Most people like to think the work is all that matters and while that is a critical component to succeeding in business, its not the only critical component. Then beyond the critical roles required there is the place where you can excel and outpace your competitors and thats why so few who enter into business REALLY become something big. The odds of beating everyone on skill, customer management, timing, performance, branding, and then be competitively priced? It's not easy by any stretch.
It's very unfortunate when customers have little to no appreciation for this. Echo above by choosing your customers wisely. Important measure to take