Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Lambert.
Hi Thomas, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My dad and uncle started Shadetree Automotive in 1994. Before that, they worked out of my dad’s garage fixing family, friends and neighbors vehicles. Hence the name “Shadetree Mechanic”. I was still in Junior High but my dad let me tag along after school to help with whatever I could help with at the shop. I was given the opportunity to start managing the shop right out of highschool in 1998. I enlisted in Business Management classes at Steven’s Henegar college. I would work at the shop from aprox 7 am to 4pm, then go to class at nights until aprox 1030pm.
The shop had continuous growth throughout the years. It started out as just a place for my dad and uncle to do side jobs at night after their regular day jobs, then by 1998 it was open to the public and employeed myself and 2 others. I managed it for my father for years and ended up purchasing the business from him in 2016. My wife and I have been able to grow from 1 shop doing aproximately $2m in yearly revenue, to now 3 shops that will achieve $10m in revenue this year.
It started out as My dad and My uncle part time. Now we have a team of 41 people and are providing great opportunites for a lot of great families.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a tough road with a lot of struggles. I started receiving a lot of Business Coaching in 2014. As I started the coaching process, the business was doing approximately $2m a year in revenue but was barely profitable. We were struggling to pay payroll, struggling to pay parts vendors and it just felt like the more business we did, the more costs we had. Never seemed to get ahead.
After a year of coaching, the business really turned around and became profitable. My father and I have very similar work ethics, but we have a good amount of differences when it comes to finance control. My father and I could not stay on the same page of budget and finance control is why I made the decision to purchase the business from him in 2016. Since purchasing the business, we have been profitable and have grown by an average of 10% year over year. This has allowed me to pay my hardworking team 10% more year over year.
I am now paying it forward by offering coaching or advice to other shop owners in our area if they ever need it.
We’ve been impressed with Shadetree Automotive, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a full service auto repair shop that specializes in Diagnosing and Repairing vehicle concerns.
Our main separator is our team:
1. Our management and service adviser team is comprised of the friendliest people you will encounter. They love people and are great at communicatin.
2. Our team of technicians are the best you will find in the state. We regularly receive referrals from other shops and even local dealerships. Our technicians are able to diagnose the hardest issues that other shops tend to struggle a little with.
Refer to our Youtube channel to observe our Vision, Mission and Core Values.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My team.
It is my job to provide the positive environment that my team deserves.
It is my job to provide the training, tools and opportunites for my team to live the best lives possible.
If I take great care of my team, they in return take great care of their clients, and that all adds up to my business being well taken care of.
Pricing:
- We do not compete on price. We compete on value and quality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.shadetreeautomotive.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadetreeautomotive/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShadeTreeAutoLayton/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShadetreeAutomotiveLayton
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L_afUFQlZg
