From inception up until the setting up process, how did you start your business?
During my apprenticeship at City Nissan, I was blessed to be in the hands of my master, who taught me the basics of being a motor mechanic.
Not only did he play a big role in the intrinsic work of mechanical repairs but together with his attention to detail and the exposure to such a large company I decided there and then that one day I will be running a company of my own.
It was at this point that I decided to experience the management side of running a business and worked my way to the top running the floor just before I ventured out on my own.
By then I had gained enough knowledge to commence the process of starting my own business.
How is business currently?
The majority of the population has a vehicle and we all need our car serviced.
Yes, during recession times that we have recently experienced clients may have stretched out the time that they need their car serviced but they always come back.
It is all about trust and having achieved this over the years, business is great.
Did your Greek Australian background help you or impede you during your early days?
Being Greek-Australian back in the ’80s I experienced the typical stereotype inhibitions of being labelled a wog.
My parents like many other Greek-Australian parents migrated to Australia and worked very hard to make a living.
Being exposed to such an environment, I was not scared of hard work.
I therefore used this to my favour and opened my business in an area that was dominated by Greek-Australians.
I worked hard and marketed a clientele that I could relate to and who would respect me in return.
What would you say stands out as the competitive advantage of your business over the competition?
My attention to detail and commitment to find a solution to every mechanical problem that is presented to me are my strengths.
I also have expanded my business to an area that is in demand and that is being a mobile mechanic.
Being a mobile mechanic is an advantage to this industry in today’s society given the busy lives we all lead.
My business is not about being available 24/7, as we should all strive for a work life balance.
It is about accommodating to my clients’ needs and making myself available where it is convenient for them.
My attention to detail and commitment to get the job done has enabled me to gain an enormous amount of trust and respect from my clients and as a result find that many times they are happy to work around me.
What is your vision for the future of your business?
Keeping up with changes in technology is the biggest challenge in this industry.
Training and educating myself with new computerised systems and equipment that come out frequently is one of the most important facets of this business.
This highlights how important it is to invest in the most advanced and current equipment to assist in maintaining the service I provide to my clients and help me achieve my goal of becoming bigger and better.
Do you have any tips for young entrepreneurs?
The advice I would give to young entrepreneurs is to do your research. Look at the niche of clients you will be focusing on. Believe in yourself and be passionate in your work.
Pay attention to detail and educate yourself so that you are confident in what you do. Be honest and transparent with yourself and your clients. This will help you gain trust and they will be loyal to you for life.
Work Hard and it will pay off.