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  Q1: If you were a woman and classes were offered, would you sign up? (3 pieces of advice)

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  by jlopez2008 

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  10.13.08 | 06:32 PM

  Being able to do some of the simpler maintenance and repairs would be great. I would definitely sign up for classes if they were offered and I'm sure I could find a few people who'd like to join me!

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  by entrepreneur_freak 

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  10.12.08 | 11:46 PM

  Great idea! Like will suggested, offering classes could be a big hit with your customers and bring in an extra stream of income for you. The classes can range from beginner to expert levels. Perhaps you can even bring in the "pros" for a "Mechanic in Residence" program...featuring NASCAR pit stoppers or race car drivers themselves. This could generate the buzz you need to get this business rolling.
  
  I would take a good look at what Home Depot has done with in-store classes and clinics.
  http://www.homedepotclinics.com/
  
  It also would not hurt to start building strategic partnerships with the influencers in the DIY auto/mechanic circles:
  
  http://www.diynetwork.com/
  http://www.auto-facts.org/DIY-auto-repair.html
  http://www.autoeducation.com/autoshop101/diyeasy.htm
  http://www.popularmechanics.com
  
  Keep it up!!

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  by willrobinsoniii 

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  10.08.08 | 11:06 AM

  I am a man and would sign up for classes. I never learned how to change my own oil, but would much rather do it myself. There is an opportunity there for very basic classes for the masses. There was a finalist on here who started a website called www.themanregistry.com I would buy basic mechanic classes for my friends as grooms gifts.

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  Q2: What should the fees range? (2 pieces of advice)

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  by jlopez2008 

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  10.13.08 | 06:35 PM

  I'm not sure where you are located but in Arizona the Small Business Association offers free business consulting to new prospective business owners if you fufill certain requirements. Check with your local office to see if they could help start you off with a business plan.

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  by StueyFresh 

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  10.08.08 | 09:34 AM

  When deciding what fees you will charge, you have to keep in mind your own costs. Renting space, buying tools, paying staff, on site mechanics, insurance, etc. Once you have your costs and some idea of how many people you think will use your garage, you'll be able to determine hourly rates and how much extra you will charge for renting tools and getting advice.
  
  I'm all in favor of keeping fees as simple as possible. I would suggest having one set hourly fee, tools and advice are included. You could set up a service that orders necessary parts for your customers and you could give them a call when their parts are in and they could come over when they like.
  
  Good luck!
  

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• Advise

  What advice do you have to help me grow my idea?
       (2 pieces of advice)

   

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  by lensandfilm 

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  10.18.08 | 10:34 PM

  First off, Love the idea. I think it could be tweaked though a little. The average person may not want to come and do this. Chances are your top customer will be people that own classic or antique autos that want a place to do work on their baby, since not everyone has that setup in their garage. Now getting people in there in the first place may not be a huge problem if marketed correctly, but one incentive for customers would be an exclusive car collector club. So they join in and then you are allowing them to create a community along with a place they can come hang out and work on cars, share stories, get advice from the pros etc...
  
  One market you could look at from the very get go is the market that Griot's Garage out of Tacoma WA hits up. Just take a look at their products, see how they are described. These products are truly for the people that would be your customers, I also see "strategic partnership" as a possibility to help get this off the ground, you sell his products and hey may help you.
  
  Here is his website:http://www.griotsgarag…moree.com/
  
  I would also look into getting some publicity in some well known auto magazines, like Motor Trend, Car and Driver. Another thing you could look at would be to make different garages exclusive to one type of car owners, since different classics require different parts..For example: Corvette only Garage, or British Autos, or Atuos that are 1950 and older. That could help diversify you a bit and open the door for international growth.
  
  
  A Barrett Jackson acution is a great place to meet face to face this market if you decide to take it this route. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/
  
  
  Good luck!
  
  

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  by blobberguy 

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  10.18.08 | 10:20 PM

  Finding a large enough target market could a problem as you step into this. Tools are also small and easy to get stolen or lost. This idea will require lots of research. Try focusing on areas where the public has an increase knowledge on car functionality as well as overpriced auto centers.
  Good luck!

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