Car Care Council Launches New Industry Tool Box

Just in time for National Car Care Month, the Car Care Council has launched a new Industry Tool Box for aftermarket companies and organizations to find everything they need to participate in the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign. The tool box is featured on the Car Care Council’s website at www.carcare.org/industry-tool-box/.

“The new industry tool box serves as a one-stop-shop for ideas, tools and resources to help aftermarket businesses reach out to new and existing customers,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Whether it’s something as simple as handing out Car Care Guides or more elaborate like conducting a community car care event during National Car Care Month in April or Fall Car Care Month in October, the tool box walks aftermarket professionals through the many different ways that they can get involved in the campaign to grow their business and connect with the community.”

The new tool box is organized into several tool box ‘”drawer” categories to help shops, stores, and other aftermarket businesses easily participate. Tool box drawers are labeled: Get Started, Participate in Car Care Months, Host an Event, Promotional Materials, Communicate with Your Customers, The Car Care Guide, Tune Up Your Website, Car Care Clips, Latest News and Resources.

“There is no better time than now to get involved with the ongoing consumer education campaign to help motorists understand the benefits of proper vehicle maintenance and how it can help them save money in the long run,” said White. “The new tool box makes it easy to get on board.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a free copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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