To be successful in business is the obvious goal of
entrepreneurs. If your business grows to the point of value that someone else
wants to buy it is a compliment to the success of the business. To build a
business that is such a recognized brand that a buyer wants to keep the owner’s
name is a testament to the original owner’s accomplishments.
Giving your name to a business can be tricky and not advised
by some strategists. Owners should separate the business from their personal
lives and if the business were ever to be sold, the name would most assuredly
be changed. A rare occasion it is that a small business can garner such respect
of both a business sector and the community that the owner’s name is synonymous
with quality. So much so that it may actually hurt business to change the name.
Brand
The way to build that brand is by providing decades of
honest work and maintaining the highest level of customer service at all times.
The repeat customer is one of the best compliments a business can receive. If
the customers are happy they’ll bring in their friends.
Stability and giving back to the community also helps build
the business. The sports analogy, “What you do off the field counts too”, can
be applied here. When the business is active in the community and becomes a stable
part of that community, the business will be recognized as a partner that has the
community’s best interest at heart.
Walt Eger’s Service Center is such a business. Walt began
learning mechanics from his father at the age of ten. He became a full time
mechanic in 1965 and has been in the business ever since. Early on, Walt worked
at several repair shops learning his trade. Eventually he developed a loyal following of customers because of his
exceptional skill and customers sensed his honesty and integrity. He
opened is first shop with two bays in 1986 and one employee, Walt himself. He
moved to his current location on Grimm Road in Severn, MD in 1998 and has been
serving the area for thirty years. During the years of building his business,
Walt examined his mistakes and took note of successes. He not only received his
hard knocks business degree but also learned how to treat customers.
If you’re happy with the service tell a friend if not tell me
Walt has lived by this credo throughout his business career.
If something’s wrong he makes it right. Dedication to customer service has
served him well. Which has been one of the many reasons his customer base
continues to grow. Coupled with an uncanny ability to hire the best people for
right job. Walt Eger has grown his two bay auto repair shop in to a thirteen
bay service center. The business itself and his practices have become a model
for others.
Walt Eger’s Service Center is not just synonymous with
quality auto repair. This business is also on the donation rolls of many local
charities. The owner and the business both being involved in multiple civic and
community organizations. He is happy to give back and be a community member,
not just a 9 to 5 business.
Mention his name in the sprawling suburban communities and
people know the business or the man.
He’ll tell you he’s made mistakes along the way, his strong
faith carrying him through. But those mistakes are not evident now.
Good luck, Walt.
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