By Devlin Smith

I don’t always get the chance to visit the shops I write about each month in “Restorer Profile,” but I will jump at the opportunity whenever it comes up. For our upcoming August issue, I profiled Schraders Speed & Style , located about 30 minutes from my house, so I drove out there to photograph the shop and meet owner Mike Abssy face-to-face.

Abssy and I expanded on the topics we’d discussed during our phone interview the week before while I snapped picture of the work bay and four projects currently in progress at Schraders. As Abssy talked about the different things he’s been doing to run his downsized business more efficiently, he often mentioned the more-experienced builders in Southern California who he’s turned to for advice. More than once Abssy said that the builders who have acted as mentors and sounding boards to him have gone through so many of the same situations he has in running a business and have been more than happy to share the lessons they’ve learned with him.

Succeeding in any industry is made so much easier when we take advantage of the lessons, tips and tricks more-experienced peers can share with us. At my first magazine job, I was fortunate to sit next to a veteran writer who gladly shared advice on everything from working with PR agencies to transcribing, advice that I still put into practice more than 10 years later. Having learned some of these things the hard way, she was glad to show a kid a couple of short cuts, short cuts that I’ve gone on to share with younger writers I’ve worked with.

Mike Abssy said he often turns to other builders and business owners for business advice.

Abssy’s built relationships with the owners of large and small restoration shops around Southern California, but they aren’t the only ones he’s turned to for advice. His shop is located in a strip mall occupied by a variety of automotive businesses, including a respected motorcycle builder who’s provided some great advice to Abssy.

Other local business owners, even ones from outside the hot rod and restoration industry, can be great resources, as they would be able to offer you advice on everything from hiring to lease negotiations. Even though they don’t restore classic cars for a living, the owner of a local restaurant could be a great person to build a relationship with because, like you, they’re a business person and have faced many of the same challenges that could be keeping you up at night.

Next time you chat with the guy exhibiting next to you at a car show, or pick up lunch from the deli down the street, or get your latest batch of shirts from the printer, ask them how their business is doing, if they’re facing any of the same challenges you are. It’s very likely they understand exactly what you’re going through and could offer you a few tips that will make those challenges a lot less daunting. You may even be able to offer them some top-notch advice as well.

Be sure to check out the Restorer Profile in our upcoming August issue to learn more about Schraders Speed & Style.

Tags: Editors Corner, Restorer Profile, West Coast Rod Shops