A Real Business Cant Survive With A Locked Door Policy! Or Can It?

[@metalmanglers1026]

Before I pressed "play" on this video, I was thinking in my head "That's a stupid way to do business!" I watched the video and listened to the reasoning and came away with a different viewpoint. It actually makes sense. You're not saying "Don't come to my shop!", you're actually saying "Don't come to my shop when I'm not expecting you and if you do come to the shop, it's not a hangout social hour."

[@cornfieldcustoms]

yep its tough for people to think of it that way, but it is critical in my eyes to limit the daily interruptions

[@charlielamb1318]

Distractions are the worst! I am open by appt. Only, I don’t advertise, I do not have social media. Word of mouth is still the best tool out there.

[@tedsaylor6016]

I had serious aircraft trouble and managed to land at Palatka Airport (28J). I asked around was pointed to a shop, who seemed knowledgeable. They were very hesitant about me being in the shop when the work (critical fuel and ignition work) was being done - but I am a very involved owner. It turned out I misunderstood why they didn't want me there - this shop attracted alot of "nice folks" from the airport who were total distractions to any actual work. The two guys were doing critical work to my engine and inside of 30 minutes (it was an all-day job) my main role was to kindly blockade "my guys" from these interruptions. In the case of substantial aircraft work - interruptions can have serious consequences. By the end of the day my guys were totally appreciative of my blocadeing as I had watched them work mostly silently like two surgeons.

[@RRL551Dynamic]

My first answering machine purchase upped my productivity by 60%. As the boss you can't be everywhere, your system works for me also. A good client will always understand.

[@rtrayl]

I worked as a dealership tech and remember the resistance to appointments but within months it was viewed as the best thing to happen.

[@mattstein6696]

I love these different insights on the business side Mike. I'm 3 years in running my own metalshaping/restoration business, they are super helpful. maybe on another video in this series can you explain how you deal with jobs that are being difficult (unforseen issues, complicated metal shaping, making errors etc.. ) how do you charge for a lost day or hours? how to explain to the customer? how do you deal with the frustration of struggling so to speak.. thanks Mike

[@jamesforde6102]

This video was awesome! I own a car building shop in Australia and I have the exactly same problems and everything you talked about happens in my shop. great to hear from someone in the same situation and has overcome The problem / obstacles like you have . Thanks James

[@williamtromblay6795]

100% right on. I'm on an airport, so people have to get past a security fence so it helps. I need to get a second cell phone to help with the interruption. Good stuff

[@SpankysHotRodsandCustoms]

I built my 500K 15,000 sqft dream shop in a small and moved my hot rod shop into it. In 4 months of getting 3 hours a day worth of billable hours I started looking the door every day. Fridays I unlocked the door after 1:00pm till 5:00. I had the same local guys @20 or so come in every day at different times. I hated to lock them out and they didn’t understand. 95% of them never spent a dime with me but were nice. They all got free advice that I was happy to give. I’m not one that can build or work on high dollar projects while talking with on lookers. I put a nice sign on the door explaining the shop hours also. Hind sight is I was happier with a much smaller customer base say around 5-8 cars and doing it all by myself at a home based shop. Keep it simple, fun and no stress -Spanky

[@RDMIronworks]

I've had a locked door, by appointment only, policy for the last few years and it is great. The prior 10 years or so were full of distractions. I have done many jobs that "paid the bills", but they were not rewarding and put loads of stress on me I didn't need. Thankfully now I can pick and choose more of what I feel passionate about and the rewards are far greater. Thanks for the videos, great work!

[@BoxcarsGarage]

Makes perfect sence. I've got a few friends (with shops) I visit once in a while...I need to be sure i just don't drop by and become a distraction. Good reminder.

[@jasonboatner825]

I’m loving these. I’m 3 months in on my shop and these are very helpful. Whether it’s something I’m already thinking and you validate or completely new ideas. Thank you!!🙏🏻

[@cornfieldcustoms]

Thanks, glad they are helpful

[@TBS_Machine]

👍 I have learned to keep my doors closed if I’m in the “zone” and I don’t want to be interrupted, Good idea on a land line and an answering machine.

[@carthageclassiccars]

I really enjoyed your discussion on this topic. Some of the stuff I have learned the hard way, but its great to hear others having the same frustrations and dealing with the same stuff and ideas on how to make things more efficient.

[@davegibson234]

Very good advice. Production up distractions down. Abundant Screening. I have signs on the side of my truck And when I first had them, people would flag me down to Ask me a questions about screens. And 100% of the time it Would lead to no work. But I give a percentage off their Service when they tell me they took a picture and called me Later. Training customers is beneficial. Excellent video !! Dave

[@purveyorofspeedllc7461]

Great content here. As a small shop this is valuable information and I love that you are helping your peers succeed. Thank you and keep it up!

[@bobbycole5597]

I agree on locking door wen working. No distractions. Especially when working alone. If a customer doesn't appreciate work ethics that you are skilled in. Don't let it bother you. Your talent will be valued to those who do. I don't want to bothered when I'm my zone. Last thing I want is to harmed when I'm welding alone. Can't look over my shoulder in a welding helmet with the stereo playing. It's a unsafe world we live in. You are spot on .

[@Metaldevilcustoms]

I was always told the phone works both ways, if they took the effort to write they were only one more step away from them making the call themselves. As a business owner it cost to step away from any project. Great video and hoping to attend one of your courses in the near future.

[@jasonfikes9514]

Enjoying the business series and looking forward to the Bonneville series. ✌️😁

[@cornfieldcustoms]

thanks for checking it out, i am really excited about the bonneville series

[@thehotrodstation3313]

I went to locked door. 6or 7yrs ago. For reasons you explained. I wished more clients would see this. I returned a 40 Willys Gasser yrs ago. Because the client wanted "alone" time with his car. On my day off! So he got all the time with it. 10 yrs is still not finished... Metallica has a song about it. Sad but True....🤷‍♂️

[@craigrufolo8442]

Lock door policy…….. Excellent!!! 👍👍

[@cornfieldcustoms]

Yep one of the best thing i ever did for my business

[@tonyv1952]

The first time I encountered locked door I was upset. I never liked it, felt it was personal. You are totally right though and we have to respect that.

[@cornfieldcustoms]

yep its not for everyone but works well for me and my shop

[@jonspence6782]

Thanks, very helpful

[@larryreece1403]

Great advice! Looking forward to seeing you on the Salt!

[@cornfieldcustoms]

thanks for checking it out, see you there

[@youtube-handle-are-a-joke]

My shop is in an old farm, it's closed door all the time except when I expect deliveries. People come by only by appointment. I don't even have a sign on the outside to advertise the shop. It's closed door ever since I opened shop, none of my customers ever had a problem with it.

[@chapinj]

Glad I listened to this start to finish. Hope to come by sometime for an appointment. I am not close enough to just stop by anyway.

[@cornfieldcustoms]

thanks for watching, just let me know when you want to stop by

[@DH-lu2bm]

A very good video to help see / understand both sides.

[@lexteakmialoki5544]

Great stuff. It becomes clearly obvious how this works if you compare it to other professions. Imagine just walking into an operating room to have a random chat with your doctor.

[@cornfieldcustoms]

yep very similar concepts on appointment only

[@TurboDog73TX]

Excellent advice.

[@cornfieldcustoms]

Glad it was helpful!

[@_the_Chad_]

This is an excellent video! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience.

[@jodygucwa8892]

great video. Thanks for the business InSite.

[@cornfieldcustoms]

thanks for watching

[@jeffbonifield8981]

Unrelated but….Great streamliner pic 😎

[@cornfieldcustoms]

thanks

[@Ron-ci8gb]

Totally Agree. Your doing great thank you

[@benniep.5387]

Sooo... Glad you made this video! The facts all laid out. Hopefully customers will listen! It's not easy running a small business.

[@chrisbrown2174]

Great video, your insight is appreciated. These type of topics are the reasons I was hooked on your podcast. Keep up the good work 👍

[@cornfieldcustoms]

thanks for watching

[@Martincustomdesign]

I like the video. Keep them coming.

[@aafcdriver]

great business savvy !

[@steveriddell1937]

Valuble advise video 😊

[@mysteriousstranger239]

excellent video mike couldn't agree with you more

[@petersmith1076]

Thanks for the this series. Did you make that Daytona coupe. That's my all time favorite.

[@spotlightcustoms]

Thanks for sharing. A lot of great information we can use right away

[@cornfieldcustoms]

thanks for watching and glad it was helpful

[@dentfixer5968]

100% agree !! 👍

[@imperialkustomllc.71]

Even my own Dad makes an appointment, days in advance, before coming to the shop.

[@theatdmechanic]

Another great video Mike! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@markshearer1831]

A lot of good information contained in this Video. But some red flags. Now to be clear I've been in the specialist automotive market place for over 30 years and have operated a limit access business model for more than half that time. This video to me while containing good information and justifications, but its a little round about. There is one reason for operating a limited access business model and this to increase productivity. All the rest is justifications. Clients don't like it. Acceptance is not the same as liking. A limited access business model only works when you have built your business to a place where demand is higher than your businesses ability to meet that demand. The limited access model is detrimental to achieving this situation. The biggest red flag to me in the presentation is there is weather intended or not an under current that somehow your potential clients need to prove they are worthy of becoming your customer, almost as if they are privileged to be allowed to provide you with an income, and such they need to show you what?. This is an incredibly dangerous and flawed way of thinking for any business owner or staff member to have towards a customer or potential customer. You have no business if you have no paying customer, it's a hobby otherwise, it's a privilege to have customers. It rewarding to have an excess of demand that allows you to choose your customers and set the rules of your business. Just saying, this presentation does have merit but it's got a few red flags and it's out of sequence if your presenting this as a how to. Maybe you should have started with how to increase demand for your services to increase demand to allow you to. Or even done a pit falls and how to make changes to increase your shop time and productivity in a specialist business.

[@jackdanger918]

People who can’t love to waste the time of people who can. I’ve never made money from a walk-in. Anyone that would bitch about appointments only is someone you wouldn’t want to work for anyway.

[@cornfieldcustoms]

exactly

[@garylietz6305]

wise......

[@cornfieldcustoms]

Yep, best way to stay productive and eliminate wasteful distractions

[@bobbycole5597]

I know you working on getting for bville You can answer later. .how do you build cars for more than one person. And how do you prioritize the builds.. is it financial or profit. I have a good day job. And a crazy fab shop after work in my garage. But have giving the opportunity two build 5 cars . How do you prioritize and at what. Time do say enough is enough. How does not one make one mad by working on another car..is it an idea that has to completed. Or a financial duty.

[@cornfieldcustoms]

It is based on monthly work agreements. If i worked on one car only that client would be responsible for $16k a month in labor plus parts and material. If i work on multiple cars, say 5. I can put 40 hours rotation in on each car then move onto another. Keeping billing lower per job, and not being fully dependent on a single client or job to pay my bills.