Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Schrier.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Daniel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
We started our business in 1986, built from ground up with a full parts house, 12 bay repair shop and a full body shop. The company was named Japanese Auto because few companies did Japanese cars so we started with them, but over the years customer need their second car fixed and it was not a Japanese make so we expanded. We now stand at 28 bays 22 lifts and full machine shop/parts. Before starting the business with my father, I was a bartender, banker, waiter etc. My father asked what was I doing for the rest of my life and offer to partner with me in this new adventure. His offer was to help start the company and I need to pay him ONE MILLION dollars and pay the rent to him. Well it took 20 years to pay him off and the company is now mine (still paying rent). To grow my business over the year I have step out of the box. Over twenty year we had homemade cookie brought to the shop so we can put them into. Chinese to go boxes and bring them to local business. We found that if you are motivated people will come. Lately our new marketing tool is a converted handicap van into an ice cream truck and going to local business a giving away free ice cream.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting out was tough- learning as we went. Money was short pay people as soon as money came in, hand to foot. Did what we need to keep it going (cleaning the shop to save on extra cost). Not taking a pay check for years, living off wife’s salary. Slowly over the years with good customer service, business increased and money stress went down. Always have day to day stress, but that the fun off it.
Please tell us about Japanese Auto Center.
Our company is an auto repair shop that pride itself on customer service, nice clean shop and upgrading yearly.
We offer free check so you feel comfortable with us that you want to come back. Offer customers rides to home or work, fancy coffee machine, nice clean bathrooms and waiting room. The biggest difference between other companies is the free check.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Yes be more aggressive from the start, this would have brought in more business.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1846 Del Amo Blvd.,
Torrance, CA 90501 - Website: japaneseautocenter.com
- Phone: 310-618-0777
- Email: [email protected]
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