Today we’d like to introduce you to David Post.
Thanks for sharing your story with us David. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my business in 1981 with just a van and a small collection of tools. Started out as a mobile auto and truck repair service in Palm Bch. County. In 1983 moved briefly to Davie and started my business in Broward County and left an employee in charge in Palm Beach. Met my future wife and we decided to settle in Palm Beach county. Ended the business in Broward County. Continued to grow the business and branched out into boat repairs. Had three trucks on the road at the height of the business. Started investing in real estate. Decided to scale back and get rid of employees and just use part time helpers when necessary.
Eventually phased out the auto repair section of the business and focused solely on marine repairs. Enjoyed being on the water and around boats. Automobiles by that time were becoming increasingly complicated and hard to repair on the road. They required specialized electronic diagnostic tools, unless it was just routine mechanical repairs. But now even boat engines are increasingly requiring specialized diagnostic tools as well. Fortunately most can be done with a laptop and specialized scanner. My wife was also involved in the business and when we incorporated she became the President. Unfortunately she passed away in early 2010 and now I alone represent the entire company.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always ups and downs with a business. Of course in the beginning I had to get my name out there for potential clients to see. Learned early on to keep overhead low so when things were slow I wouldn’t be overcome by expenses. Always looking for ways to cut overhead. When expanding with employees, always a challenge to find qualified people who could also deal with the public and work in an unsupervised environment. It just became too difficult with this type of service so decided to go it alone. Also with boat repairs, it could be very seasonal with the busiest times during the summer months when boating is at it’s height. So I had to budget to save enough to carry me through with paying the bills when business slowed and income became a trickle. Not for the faint of heart. But the most difficult time for me was when my wife died unexpectedly at the start of winter in early 2010. That was devastating enough but on top of that we had the coldest three months on record so my phone stopped ringing. No one was boating. Zero income but of course the bills don’t stop. Came close to closing down the business. But things eventually picked up and life goes on.
A Mechanic on Wheels, Mechanics on Wheels – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I presently run a mobile marine repair business specializing in outboard motor servicing and repairs. Also work on small diesel engines mostly sailboat auxiliaries. Can repair electrical problems as well. Wiring work is a specialty. Recently I have ventured into electric outboard repairs. I am proud that I have run a successful business for over 35 years with many satisfied customers who recommend me to their friends and relatives. That is very rare for business in South Florida which come and go so frequently. One complaint I hear from so many people is the failure of repair people to even show up after they make an appointment. Many times without even a phone call. And that seems to be true with all types of repair fields. So just showing up on time is half the battle. That and being highly skilled at what I do and being unscrupulously honest sets me apart from many others. And I know how to communicate successfully with my clients.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me success is satisfaction with what I do, enjoying the work and meeting different people and hearing a lot of their stories. To hear satisfied customers praise my work and tell me they will recommend me to others. Of course I need to turn a profit to continue, but that is secondary. I put the quality of work and happy customers first. My regulars become part of the Mechanics on Wheels family.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amechaniconwheels.com
- Phone: 5616559555
- Email: [email protected]
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