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Secrets of Running a Successful Auto Garage
By Akinpelu Dada
Around 1989, he incorporated a company, which later metamorphosed in Honda
Solution in 2000 with the major workshop in Gbagada area of Lagos and a branch
in Lekki.
He recalls that things were tough initially as there were only few customers,
but the testimony of those who brought their cars for routine maintenance and
repairs led to more people gradually coming in.
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The workshop currently has over 23 boys and five ladies at various stages of
apprenticeship, while another group of eight boys has successfully graduated
from the informal academy.
One of the unique things about the workshop is that everybody is well kitted in
clean uniforms. The company has eight sets of uniforms with particular colours
for specific days of the week.
Adefolu explains that the objective is to present themselves as responsible
people who can be trusted with customers’ vehicles and correct the general
impression that mechanics are dirty people.
Apart from the technical knowledge about vehicles, he says he deliberately
imparts in the apprentices business skills so that they can run efficient
organisations and how to relate with customers with all courtesies.
He explains, “I treat my customers as family members because without them, I
cannot survive.”
On the secret of his flourishing business, he has this to say, “I don’t
encourage the use of used spare parts except for engines that we can get newly.
This is because most of the tokunboh parts in the country are actually Nigerian
used, but which have been cleaned and polished. There are some new parts too,
mostly from China that are not genuine; I don’t use them at all.
“I buy spare parts from genuine sources and I also import some of the parts
directly from Japan in order not to compromise quality. Most importantly,
however, I still find time to travel abroad to update my knowledge about new car
models coming out of the factories.”
He says his workshop charges moderate fees for works done on customers’
vehicles, but notes that buying original spare parts will not come cheap, but
the advantage is that the vehicle owner can drive with peace of mind that the
car will not break down unexpectedly.
Many small business outfits can learn some lessons from Adefolu’s organisational
set up. He currently employs two secretaries, one saddled with the
responsibility of writing receipts and invoices for customers, and writing and
pasting of service stickers and maintenance roster on cars; while the other
liaises with the banks to ensure proper book keeping.
Adefolu advices youths not to get despondent and enter into crime, but to learn
a trade, noting that in everything, education is very important. He is already
imparting his knowledge into his children, including the girls, who report to
the workshop after coming back from school.
- Culled From Punch
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