You are on page 1of 2

my_journey16.

qxd

8/19/04

4:09 PM

My

Page 48

Journey
PART 16

by Ray Warner

A Journeys End

Im not sure if my writing showed how miserable I was


that first year, but believe me, it was very difficult.

t was at the Powertrain Expo in


September of 2002. I was sitting
with GEARS Managing Editor
Rodger Bland, Senior Editor Paul
Morton, and Technical Editor Lance
Wiggins. We were talking about the
possibility of me writing a series of
articles for GEARS that detailed the trials and tribulations experienced during
the first year or so of a brand-new independent transmission repair shop.
I was excited about the prospect of
writing for GEARS, but that excitement
was tempered by an anxious feeling
when Rodger said, Well be true to
what happens in your business; good or
bad. We want you to know that youre
taking a chance in the event the business doesnt go well, because that will
be written about, also.
My stomach was in knots. The
whole transmission world would know
if my business venture failed. But to be
honest, I was never really concerned
about failure. By nature, I suppose its
just not something I allow myself to
believe is acceptable.
When I look at my shop today, its
hard to remember when I signed the
lease on what was then a vacant building. I do, however, remember my first
job. I serviced an E4OD, and I swear it
felt as though I was lost. I felt like a
rookie again. At that point my shop was
little more that an empty box with a
hoist.
Nowadays, I occasionally take a
48

mental break from what has grown to


be the fast pace of my business, and
reflect back on that first year in business. Actually, these are usually not particularly good memories. Talk about
stress and unhappiness. Im not sure if
my writing showed just how miserable I
was that first year, but believe me, it
was very difficult. There were many
hard, lonely hours that first year. The
lack of customers and work made for
some long days.
I once heard a quote that went
something like this: An owner that
does all the work in a small business
has a fool for a manager. In one of my
early articles I said that if a job had to
be done in my business, regardless of
its nature, I was the one who had to do
it. It often led to a great deal of frustration, and it became evident I needed to
change my way of thinking about my
business. But to make an effective
change, I needed knowledge.
Fortunately for me, the ATRA
Powertrain Expo in Las Vegas was
about to occur, and I hoped to find the
help I needed there. I wasnt disappointed. It wasnt just a particular
speaker, or a software program, or any
other single factor. In fact, it was a
combination of factors I wouldnt have
found under one roof in any other
industry event.
I finally realized that my basic
problem was a lack of knowledge, or
understanding, in several key areas, and

that I basically survived my first year


out of that refusal to fail. As soon as I
realized that, I was able to set my ego
aside, and focus on accumulating the
information I needed to work smarter
and better. To do that, I started taking
advantage of other peoples knowledge
through seminars, and networking with
other shop owners. It was just what I
needed.
One of the more important things I
learned was that I needed to surround
myself with talented people. I put that
lesson into action by hiring my first
technician. That led to the hiring of
other key employees; not the least of
which has been my manager.
I also learned to back my staff up
with solid business consulting on topics
such as accounting and marketing, as
well as business and profit development. This is when everything came
together.
My hope is that by reading of the
struggles I experienced in starting my
business, some of you in similar situations may be able to avoid the same pitfalls. I am also happy to report that
ATRA has asked me to speak in a seminar at the upcoming Powertrain
Industry Expo 2004 at the Rio Casino
and Resort in Las Vegas, where I hope
to pass along some of the key points I
learned over the last couple years.
I know quite a few of you have followed my story from the beginning, and
I appreciate the words of support
GEARS September 2004

my_journey16.qxd

8/24/04

8:01 AM

youve given me along the way.


If you have a chance during the
Expo, please stop me and let me
know your thoughts.
This is not a goodbye,
though. GEARS has asked me to
write an occasional piece so I
can talk about any major events
that may occur over the next
year or so.
Let me wrap this up by
telling you that several people
have contributed to my success,
but no one has made an impact
on me more than my wife,
Laurie. She has stood by my
side throughout this often grueling process. She has the wonderful ability to help me with
major decisions, and respect my
dreams. Without her, none of
this would have been possible.
See you at the Rio.

Page 49

It was nearly two years ago when GEARS Managing Editor Rodger Bland and Senior Editor Paul
Morton talked about the feasibility of initiating a series of articles written by an ATRA member who was
transitioning from technician to shop owner. To them, the risk was significant. They didnt want to initiate a series, only to have our writer abandon the effort mid-way. They also recognized the risk involved
in detailing what could be a shop that, for any number of reasons, did not succeed. They agreed that
the series would detail either success or failure what was important was trying to capture the information and decision-making process that led to either one.
They were fortunate enough to meet with Ray Warner, who was in the beginning stages of breaking away from a family-owned transmission business to one of his own. Ray definitely seemed to have
the necessary drive to succeed, but was quick to recognize he didnt have all the answers or at that
point, even know some of the questions. At no small risk to himself, Ray offered to write articles for
each issue of GEARS that focused on issues related to developing a new transmission business the
good as well as the bad.
Ray also had to agree to another very important aspect of creating an article for final production:
the editorial process. Editors are assigned the responsibility of making a submitted article easy to read,
and conform to (most of) the rules set forth in the Kings English. This must always be balanced against
the writers style and personality; GEARS doesnt want cookie-cutter articles that all share the same
voice.
Much to Rays credit, he not only understood this, he never allowed the editorial process to
become personal and stymie his effort. Another very important element in this process was that Ray
was always very honest in describing the events he experienced even when it did not cast him or his
decisions in the best light.
The result of this endeavor, we believe, is an interesting and honest documentation of the process
involved when a good technician decides to become a good shop owner. Heartfelt thanks go out to Ray
Warner for his outstanding effort and accomplishments both in his business endeavor, and in his
debut as an author. The effort in the latter category, by the way, brought Ray international recognition:
The 2003 Silver Medallion from the International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA).
Heartfelt thanks go out to Ray for his effort and product, and our best wishes for the continued
success of Diablo Transmissions. GEARS

My own
on?
subscripti
s!
Wow Bos
Youre the
T!
GREATES

Keep your techs happy. Get them their


own subscription of GEARS Magazine
TODAY!
www.gearsmagazine.com
(805) 604-2000
GEARS September 2004

49

You might also like