Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Leutz.
Frank, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My beginnings began in 1990 working alongside my father-in-law in his automotive service station as an apprentice. I left to expand my knowledge and experience as an automotive technician working for a GM dealership where I acquired Chevrolet factory training. This was a very exciting time learning about the cutting-edge technology used by the modern day automotive technician.
I took these experiences and in 1995 and decided to open my first automotive service garage in Phoenix. I successfully sold that business and in 2004, decided to venture out into the rapidly expanding East Valley, to open Desert Car Care of Chandler. The emphasis was to conduct a profitable business by way of strong community relationships, a consistent marketing plan and tight measures regarding operations. In 2009 and 2010, I expanded to two locations in Gilbert and after building the client base and increasing profits, I sold both to focus all my efforts on the Chandler location, serve my industry and start a second brand to reach a national audience.
From 2013 through mid-2017, I served as the President of the Phoenix Chapter of the Automotive Service Association (ASA). My focus was to maintain the engagement among automotive aftermarket businesses while planning and executing the state expo and coordinating a multitude of sponsors for continued endorsement of education and training for the industry.
In 2016, I was elected to serve on the Mechanical Division Operations Committee of ASA national, the voice in Washington D.C. for automotive service station owners. The committee works together with the board of directors and lobbyists for effective representation of the aftermarket automotive industry.
I have such a passion for education in my industry and in 2016, I created Wrench Nation, which represents all things automotive. The conduit is Wrench Nation Car Talk Radio, a lively & popular car talk show emphasizing the colorful & educational stories of professionals in the automotive service industry, automotive training, motorsports legends, automotive news & events while dispensing easy to understand car care tips. I serve as the host, writer, producer, and editor and today it boasts a national platform and we deliver conversational content covering the automotive industry and culture. The weekly live show is re-purposed as a podcast airing every Saturday at 8 am on 1100 KFNX Radio and weekly on iTunes, along with a multitude of podcast distributors where there are approximately 10,000 downloads.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I started my first automotive service garage, I learned valuable lessons about the financials and the effects that the lack of marketing and operational strategies have on profit and growth. Initially, I had difficulty identifying a business model that was not solely based on price points as a leading factor in driving revenue. I had to present value in a service-based business to the community while maintaining consistent profit. I realized the value of the service experience had come into play and then had struggles attracting the right talent because of focusing on price points and being the least expensive automotive service provider.
I learned that many in this industry focus on price points alone without giving attention to what it truly takes to sustain a valuable service experience by charging a price point that sustains the professional and certified talent needed that provide a stellar service experience.
Please tell us about Desert Car Care of Chandler.
The heart and soul of our enterprise is the connection to the community by way of providing a memorable & positive automotive service experience. Our team is driven by these values and has earned a multitude of accolades such as Chandler Chamber Small Business of the Year, Ranking Arizona’s Top 10 Automotive Service Center and a ‘Best Places to Work’ by the Phoenix Business Journal. We are known as a small business that provides an incredible outlet for education & charitable events which connect the community, while always maintaining a giving spirit.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Working with my Uncle Guenther in Frankfort Germany delivering beer as a youngster working hard and earning tips while learning at an early age, the value of work ethics. When we moved to America, my mother was an early inspiration supporting my music efforts which ultimately led to performances at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall (now the David Geffen Hall), performing with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Branford Marsalis and Lionel Hampton, as a jazz\salsa musician with the McDonalds Tri-State Jazz band. This experience gave me an incredible opportunity for everything that I commit to doing today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.desertcarcare.com
- Phone: (480) 526-5539
- Email: frank@desertcarcare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urmechanic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertcarcarechandler/, https://facebook.com/wrenchnation
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/desertcarcare
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/desert-car-care-chandler-chandler
- Other: https://twitter.com/UrMechanic
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