So what does it take to open up a hotrod shop?

Anyone ever do it, or doing it now? I dream of building cars, running a business, having my name be recognized like Boyd, Troy, Foose. Anyone else ever do it or at least research what it takes.

Thanks

Not that I have ever done it, but thoughts of stuff like that cross my mind from time to time...so I guess my first thought would be this, do you have the talent? Building a hot rod, resto mod, or what ever else you want is easy for yourself, but you will be dealing with someone else. And that means they will want you to read their mind...they will say what they want to you to do, but that isn't always what they envision...ask anyone who builds car for a living, I am sure they can agree on that![img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
After that I would think it boils down to most of the same things any business owner has to deal with...location, equipment, licenses (business, tax, and others), advertising...and if you get large enough, staffing and more insurance, etc...
One thing to consider is obviously you start small, growing into the bigger operations, Foose, Boyd and all of them I am sure started off small in a back yard or alley and then word got out and they started growing. One thing I do know, in a small business, you devote a LOT of your time, many think that they will just work 9 to 5, five days a week...most of my friends who started and run their own businesses (not auto related), put in 7 days a week, and usually 12 or more hours a day, since they cannot afford to hire staff at the beginning...so if you are married, DEFINATELY discuss this with your spouse!
I am sure there are many here that deal with this kind of stuff...F15Falcon is the first to come to mind, maybe PM them and see if they can give any advice...but as always with advice, listen carefully, and determine if you want to take it. But there are lot's of FM folks here with the experience who can steer you in the right directions.
If you do decide to do it, post your progress here, heck...just even post your learning and research part, might help to inspire some of us others here who have the dreams too!
Best of luck!
Mike
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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Humphrey351 on 12/30/05 12:03pm ]</font>

Something tells me that most of those guys never set out to create a shop. I'd guess their skills just took them to a place where they finally said..."I've got the resources and network, it's time I went into business for myself"

The key being that the network and resources were built while they were making somebody else wealthy as a worker bee.
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On 2005-12-29 21:41, Mikelonis wrote:
Something tells me that most of those guys never set out to create a shop. I'd guess their skills just took them to a place where they finally said..."I've got the resources and network, it's time I went into business for myself"...
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Yep, I agree with that. I'd venture to guess that 90% of the folks that are running shops were great at the work and got into leading/teaching others to duplicate their efforts. That's just smart business practice.

Make yourself irreplaceable in your line of work and you will become a leader.

My $0.03.

Robert

first...win the Oakland roadster show, then get your cars picture plastered over about 100 car magazines.

That seems to be the way Boyd, Foose, and several others have done it. Even a big name regional show might be enough to get the High roller client to come in with a fat enough wallet to allow you to build a truely great vehicle. Once the first one hist the bricks, the rest will come. It's not just talent, there is some marketing involved.

You'll notice, the money making shops all sell stuff on the side...tee shirts, hats, wheels signature cars,...something. I doubt if you can't really make it any more on one car, then sit on your laural.

Go big, or go home?
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