Starting a shop in southern Arizona

[jst8a5.0]

Hi everyone. Been a member for a while, posted a few times but mostly a reader. I am beginning to have quite a collection of cars. A 2000 ws6 trans am, 1974 pontiac ventura, slammed dually, and the newest to the collection, a 1970 camaro rs. The wife has an 05 wrx and a 1972 cutlass with a 455. So now I need to get to work on fixing them up....

Anyway, I've been fabricating for a while now, mostly high end houses and restaurants and I took that skill to autos. Headers, full exhaust, fan shrouds(aluminum, stainless, fiberglass), panel replacement and stainless countertops, etc. Pretty much, name what you want and name the material and I make it.I am opening a shop in southern az and I wonder how many people here want stuff done. I have pics but I am in the middle of moving over the next week so I can't upload. Tell me what the market is like. Oh and thanks to the MANY talented members that have shared pics and tecniques with the rest of us. Y'all have inspired me. Thanks.

[jst8a5.0]

some pics...

[jst8a5.0]

more...

[jst8a5.0]

no one from arizona here? Should I post other pics? What's up y'all? Please let me know what You think.

[Bandit Ls-1]

thats some awesome work man, i really like that center counsol.

[melman109]

Good work! What part of southern AZ will you be opening your shop?

[olds87]

I'm in AZ also. Where is your shop at?

[dinos67's]

Originally Posted by jst8a5.0

no one from arizona here? Should I post other pics? What's up y'all? Please let me know what You think.

Hi i am in arizona her in Phoenix I have a 1967 camaro that I want to but a twin turbo set up in to can i call you for advice or to ask of you some question Donovan
623 330-0888


by the was awesome car cant wait to see finished product.

[TonyG]

Very nice pieces.. I need a set of those speaker covers...lol..

[ProTouring442]

Congratulations on the new business! Just remember, owning your own business is kind of like doing drugs; it's very hard on the body, and twice as addicitve!

Here's an article out of my newsletter I thought you might like. Something to pass on to future employees if you like.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

We need to think ‘Outside the Box,” we need to work “Outside the Box,” we need to live “Outside the Box.” Outside the Box, Outside the Box, Outside the box! Just where in the hell is this “Box” anyway?

After reading my usual gaggle of inspirational and educational emails for the day, I got to thinking about the “Outside the Box” business and I came to the conclusion that we might be missing a crucial point here. Mainly, I think we need to stop worrying about the so-called “Box,” and start thinking. Just plain “thinking” might not sound as sexy as “Thinking Outside the Box,” but it just might get a lot of companies, as well as individuals, a step ahead of the pre-boxed pack!

For a few years, I worked for a company that sold lock and security equipment. Our main customers were industrial accounts that had on-site locksmith departments, and independent locksmiths. While we had a lot of meetings and trainings on how to be more creative, how to communicate more effectively, etc, we never seemed to address the two main complaints we continually received from our customers. Those complaints were, and from the information I have gathered from old contacts, continue to be;

- Not having the right stuff in stock/not having enough of the right stuff in stock, and;
- customer service issues.

Now I’m no MBA, but it seems to me that their main problem was not only obvious, but also never addressed!

Based on this, my unsolicited advice to anyone out there who wants to be successful is simple. Before you go looking for new and innovative ways to do things, make sure you have your bases covered.

Anybody remember Alfa Romeo or Fiat? Back in the 50’s and 60’s they built some beautiful automobiles. I could stare at them all day. Unfortunately, many times that was all you could do, stare at them, usually while waiting for the tow truck. While they were gorgeous cars, reliability was not in their credo. Let’s face it, Fiat didn’t become known as Fix-it-again-Tony for nothing. Alfa and Fiat needed to get back inside their box, in this case the engine compartment, and get back to basics. Before you make it pretty, make it reliable. It worked for Volvo, it will work for you.

Wear the Right Hat!
Bill

Copyright @ 2007 Bill Kistner. Bill Kistner is creator and publisher of the “Wear the Right Hat” Newsletter and E-zine, as well as the “Wear the Right Hat (Landing Your Job)” and “Right Hat Customer Service” seminars. If you’re ready to land Your Job or to set your people in motion on Your Customers, send Bill an Email to: [email protected]