How Import Auto's Owner Grew and Transformed the Business

Import Auto Shop: Living Up to Their Potential as a Shop Owner

Austin Blanton, a U.S. Navy veteran, began his auto repair career at 21 and, within five years, became the owner of Import Auto. Since taking over, he has unified his team, modernized daily operations, and grown as a business owner. Here’s how he transformed Import Auto Shop into a thriving business.

Speeding Up the Business

Upon becoming owner, Austin aimed to modernize Import Auto. He started by implementing Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs). Initially, he used a basic tool but soon realized the need for a more robust, cloud-based solution. That’s when he adopted Tekmetric during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tekmetric has made life easier for my team and guests—and it’s also boosted our productivity and revenue.

With Tekmetric, the shop went fully paperless, sending DVIs, estimates, and invoices via text or email. Writing quotes became much faster, and parts ordering could be tracked in one place, eliminating the need to juggle multiple tabs.

Staying in Tune With Guests Via User Profiles

Tekmetric improved communication with guests. Creating repair orders (ROs) became quick, and guests could approve services over text or email. Declined services are documented, making it easy to reference previous quotes. The text-to-pay feature allows for quick ticket delivery and payment collection.

Tekmetric’s integration with Kukui enabled seamless transfer of guest contact information. Being cloud-based, Tekmetric ensures customer data is safe even if hardware fails. Austin appreciates being able to check appointments and order parts remotely when needed.

Taking Bigger Steps as a Business Owner

The pandemic pushed Austin out of his comfort zone. With fewer people on the road, he focused on securing more fleet accounts, which provided guaranteed income. The shop built strong relationships with local companies by offering services like vehicle pick-up and drop-off, making Import Auto more competitive.

Financial security, along with the time Tekmetric has freed up for us, has created the space for us to give back to our community.

With improved financial security and operational efficiency, Import Auto could give back to the community, participating in initiatives like Brakes for Breasts and offering lifelong discounts to public workers. The shop also continues restoration work on classic cars, which is a fulfilling aspect of the business.

Austin advises other shop owners to avoid complacency and invest in training and technology to modernize their shops, allowing more time for meaningful projects.

For more information about Import Auto, visit importautorepairs.com.