Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Richfield Transmission and Auto Repair Center is a full-service auto repair and transmissions specialty shop in Richfield MN. We service and repair all makes and models of cars and trucks for people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Typical repair jobs include transmission rebuilds, brake repair, engine repair, differential repair and automotive maintenance needs.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: Chuck Lowinske (Owner) – I have been the owner of Richfield Transmission since 1983, but, working at the location since the early 70s. I am an ASE certified auto repair technician with over 40 years of auto repair and transmission repair experience.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: I’ve always loved cars – fixing them, racing them, driving them so growing up I spent a lot of time working on cars. It was a natural progression into my profession based upon my interests. I wanted to know how a car worked and how to fix it when it didn’t, it’s just a passion of mine.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: It’s a lot of work. You have to be prepared to work every day and learn new things rapidly. There is something within the business that is always changing – be it technology, people or opportunities. You have to be able to work with those situations.
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans : An excellent work ethic. The ability to ask for help. The wiliness to learn new things.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: 10 hours per day is what we are open. I may work more outside those hours from time to time and occasionally find myself working on the weekends although not as much as in the beginning.
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: The love for what I do and the desire to make customers happy with the service we provide.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: I’ve tried all marketing. Print, TV, billboard, digital, email, and website marketing. I’m always willing to listen to what the next thing is or what someone has to offer. Marketing for us is hit and miss – if we do marketing with a really aggressive discount, we get people in the door but don’t make much money on it. Plus, they tend to not be repeat customers. The key is to find the marketing that draws the right people in and keeps them coming back. I think having a knowledgeable staff answering the phones is what of the best marketing strategies I’ve ever done. Outside of that, it’s really been hot and cold.
Q 9. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: I will probably be retired and someone else will have purchased the business.
Q 10. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Good employees is the key. Everyone from the person answering the phone to the ones doing the work reflects the business. It’s hard to find the right mix but it makes a big difference once it’s in place.
Q 11. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: It depends on the idea and how long it will take to execute it.
Q 12. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Quality service and valuing relationships
Q 13. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: There are little thing along the way. Being able to find the rare part needed for a rare car is always a great accomplishment. Being able to solve someone’s problem easily and quickly is another. We hope for those kinds of accomplishments on a regular basis.
Company Name: Richfield Transmission Center & Auto Repair
Company Website: http://www.richfieldtransmission.net/
Name: Chuck Lowinske
Office phone number: (612) 866-0009
Email ID: chuck@richfieldtransmission.net
Address: 7444 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN, USA, 55423
Your business hours: Monday-Friday 7:00am -5:30pm
Payment types you accept: Cash, Credit Card, Checks
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+RichfieldTransmissionCenterMinneapolis
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/RichfieldTransmissionCenter
Twitter : https://twitter.com/richfieldtrans
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/richfield-transmission-center