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Why Small Businesses Need to Have Websites

Posted By Devlin Smith , February 17, 2011

In a recent Globe and Mail article, consultant Mark Evans discussed why having a website is as essential for small businesses.

“As someone who is digitally engaged (obsessed?), a company without a website is like a person applying for a job without a resume,” he wrote. “In this day and age, a website is a standard business feature—just like a phone number.

“Even if we’re talking about a simple site with a few pages, it has to be part of how a business operates,” he continued. “An increasing number of consumers are turning to the Internet to find products and services, so not having a website means being invisible to them.”

Evans offered suggestions for small businesses intimidated by the idea of having to build and maintain a website, including having an online Yellow Pages listing or using a blogging service, though he warns that these are just short-term solutions.

Only 6 More Days to Get Discounted Hotel Rates for HRR Trade Show

Posted By Ashley Smissen , February 16, 2011

Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association; visitIndy.com.

The deadline to book hotel rooms for the 2011 Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show is only six days away. The last day to take advantage of the special discounted rates for HRR Trade Show attendees is Tuesday, Feb. 22. All hotel rooms must be booked through the housing bureau in order to get the discounted room rates.

Many of the Convention Center-area hotels have already sold out; however there are still rooms available at the Courtyard Marriott and the Embassy Suites. Several airport-area hotels also have rooms available, including the Sleep Inn West and the Comfort Inn & Suites West. (These hotels are approximately 15 minutes from the Convention Center.)

Weekend Car Shows & Events Roundup

Posted By Devlin Smith , February 16, 2011 1 comment

Many people will be enjoying a long weekend thanks to Monday’s Presidents Day holiday. A number of organizations and clubs around the country are hosting car shows, auctions, swap meets and other events that give retailers the opportunity to show off their latest builds, sell or buy parts and connect with new customers this weekend. Here are 10 events happening this weekend. Additional car shows and events will be posted on Hotrod & Restoration’s Twitter throughout the week.

Autorama takes place Friday through Sunday at the Dallas Market Hall in Dallas. The event will feature traditional rods, customs, bobbers, vintage race cars, trucks and motorcycles competing for over $30,000 in cash and awards in 24 classes. Autorama will also include live music, Meguiar’s Car Care Tips presentations and special guest appearances. The Action Arena will feature the Bigfoot Monster Truck Car Crush, the Autorama Burn Out Competition and Living Legends of Drag Racing. For more information, visit www.autorama.com/casi/show/spectator/dallas.php.

Exciting Prizes to Be Given Away at HRR Trade Show Industry Reception

Posted By Ashley Smissen , February 16, 2011

The HRR Trade Show offers plenty of networking opportunities. However, one of the best ways to meet up with old industry friends and connect with new companies and potential customers is to attend the Industry Reception, held Friday night immediately after the trade show ends. The party will take place in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indianapolis Convention Center.

This year’s party theme will be “American Made,” saluting products made in the U.S.A. Attendees and exhibitors can enjoy a menu of All-American foods like burgers, fries, shakes—and even apple pie. It doesn’t get any more American than that. Party attendees will also be treated to free-flowing beer, compliments of the HRR Trade Show.

Party attendees will also have the chance to play a game of pool or foosball with friends, or partake in some NASCAR remote control car racing, which is new this year.

In addition to great food and friends, the Industry Reception will offer attendees the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes during the raffle, which will take place at the end of the party. Raffle tickets will be given out at the door.

New Passport Program to Be Introduced at 2011 HRR Trade Show

Posted By Ashley Smissen , February 16, 2011

The Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show is proud to announce that it will be introducing its new Passport Program at the upcoming 2011 show.

Attendees will have the opportunity to win great prizes through the Passport Program.

Each HRR Trade Show attendee will receive a Passport card when they pick up their badge. Attendees then meet with each of the exhibitors and receive a sticker for their passports. This is a great way to meet and interact with new companies.

Once all of the boxes on the Passport card have been filled in, attendees then return their completed cards to the Hotrod & Restoration magazine booth on the show floor to be eligible to win great prizes.

All completed Passport cards must be turned in by 2 p.m. on Saturday.

SBA Offers ‘Ultimate Guide to Working With Employees’

Posted By Devlin Smith , February 15, 2011

Maintaining good relationships with your employees is the key to having a successful shop.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently posted its “Ultimate Guide to Working With Employees.” The online guide offers small business owners access to resources on hiring, pay, benefits, employment laws, workplace safety and health, and related resources.

“Effectively hiring and managing employees is essential for business success,” the SBA’s Sarah Millican wrote in her introduction to the guide. “Before you decide to expand your business, be sure to understand your responsibilities as an employer. [These] resources will help get you started on what you need to know before you hire your first employee and how to successfully work with them once they’re on board.”

Weiand Introduces 1960s-Style Drives for 6-71 Superchargers

Posted By Ashley Smissen , February 15, 2011

Weiand has announced the release of its vintage swing-arm-style blower drive for the Weiand 6-71 Series Supercharger System. This drive style gained notoriety as the standard choice for front-engine gassers, dragsters and altereds of the 1960s.

The new drives are composed of cast aluminum and come complete with matching pulleys to augment assembly. The drive kit comes with a cover, idler arm, idler pulley and fasteners. Vintage 1/2-inch pitch pulleys in 33T, 34T, 36T and 38T configurations can be ordered separately. The idler pulley and the drive gear cover can also be purchased separately for users who already have parts from a previous blower set-up, according to Weiand.

The company offers 7-71 superchargers for small-block Chevy, big-block Chevy and Chrysler 392 Hemi applications.

Restorer Profile: United Auto Body

Posted By Devlin Smith , February 13, 2011

Owner Jim Fitch (far right) is shown with his staff: (from left) Pat Fitch, Bob Brinkman and Harry Annen.

The collision repair business had too many ups and downs for Jim Fitch’s liking—plenty of business in the fall and winter as the weather wreaked havoc on people’s cars, but uneven business the rest of the year.

“We’re in the cycle that whenever we get precipitation, everyone’s slipping and sliding, hitting stuff, and then it gets warm again and it clears off the roads,” said Fitch, who owns Eau Claire, Wisconsin-based shop United Auto Body.

“Being in a collision market, you need to be writing estimates every day,” he said. “It’s whenever the snow flies.”

Fitch and his three employees began combating these business cycles seven years ago when they first started restoring classic cars. Encouraged by customer response, United Auto Body decided to make collision work a sideline and instead focus on restoration work.

“We became more involved with the restoration market with memberships, trade shows and sponsoring some car shows,” Fitch said. “Our work became our calling card and we never looked back.”

Centerforce Introduces New Single Disc Clutches for 1965-1987 Fords

Posted By Ashley Smissen , February 12, 2011

Newly added to Centerforce’s DFX Series of high-performance single disc clutches are applications for 1965-1987 Ford cars and trucks, replacing the 11 1/2-inch-long style pressure plate.

The new clutch assembly replaces the current assembly with a higher holding capacity pressure plate that’s designed for a direct bolt-in replacement and ceramic button-style disc. Centerforce II and Dual Friction options are also available.

The DFX series clutch systems utilize Centerforce’s centrifugal weight system for maximum grip, a ball-bearing design for a light pedal and quick release, and nodular iron pressure plate rings and reinforcements to help prevent drive strap breakage and safety, according to the company.