Shanna Kennedy and Paul Davis are more than a couple – they’re a team. As two mechanics with years of experience in their tool belts, they decided to combine their skills and be their own bosses. Their automotive repair shop Immortal Auto Moto is only two months old, but Shanna and Paul are optimistic because they know the key to a successful business partnership is the same as any – good communication and trust.
The Start
How did you start your business?
Shanna: We started Immortal Auto Moto because we got tired of working for other people. We’re both mechanics. I was a garage mechanic, and I owned a shop with my ex-husband.
Paul: I was a fleet mechanic doing traffic control for four years. I have 18 years of experience repairing cars for family and friends.
How did you fund your business in the beginning?
Shanna: We didn’t take out any loans. We worked hard to save up – 60 hours a week. We’re starting out small so we can save up and expand. Right now we’re a mobile business so the main cost is the business license.
Paul: We’re in the process of applying for the BAR auto-repair license. Without a BAR license you can only do maintenance and minor repairs.
Running the Business
How did you learn to run your business?
Shanna: We had to learn to manage money. We’re constantly looking at our overhead costs and the expense report so that we can build an estimate for our customers. You have to make sure you’re not losing money and you’ve got a roof over your head – it’s nice in the winter.
I also learned how to build a website. My mom works for GoDaddy so it was pretty simple to do.
Who was your first customer?
Paul: Most of the Immortal Auto clients are clients we had from before – family or friends and their referrals. We’re based in Morgan Hill so most of our clients are in the South Bay area. We’re mobile, but we do charge a mobile fee depending on how far away a client is.
What’s the biggest mistake you made in the first year?
Shanna: It’s been two months and no mistakes so far – knock on wood!
What’s the smartest thing you did in the first year?
Paul: Communication – with each other and with customers.
Shanna: I have 18 years of experience in hospitality and I’ve found that if you communicate a problem right at the time it happens – like a missing part that is late in shipping or something – then people are much more understanding than if you mention it later.
What’s the most rewarding thing about running your own business?
Shanna: Waking up everyday and knowing that what we are doing is fulfilling for not only for ourselves, but we have the opportunity to help other people.
What’s the most challenging thing about running your own business?
Shanna: Keeping the business coming in. And time management, which is hard to do with just two people. We’re hoping to expand into a shop with a couple of lifts.
What I’ve Learned
If you could go back to when you were starting your business, what advice would you give yourself?
Shanna: My mom. She’s very strong, intelligent, and business minded. I get my integrity from her. She worked at apple computer, and ran a family business for nine years. I also learned from her mistakes.
Paul: I don’t know. I’m independent, a loner – I do things on my own.
Shanna: He’s his own role model. He looks in the mirror in the morning and says “How ya doin’?”
What do you wish you had known before you had started your business?
Shanna: Have patience. Find a good location based on the services you plan to provide. Know who your customers are and where you will get a high demand. Use word-of-mouth to get your name out there. Make business cards and just pass them out.
Also, when getting a business license, do your research. The city makes you jump through a lot of hoops to get your business up and running. Research the loop holes.
About the Author — Sarah is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley where she learned to love the diverse personalities of mom-and-pop stores. She likes intriguing storefronts, creative specialty stores, and well-designed business websites.
This article was originally written on December 22, 2014 and updated on July 12, 2016.
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