Skip to Content
Listen Now

How to Actually Make Money in Auto Repair

Confession No. 83 · with Hunt Demarest · March 31, 2026 · 39 min.

Listen Now · No. 83

0:0039:16

About This Episode

From Our Sponsors

  • Tektonic 2027 is coming up April 1-3, and if you missed year 1, you MUST NOT miss year 2. It's bigger, it's better, because is Tekmetric's conference. You know it's gonna be the best conference in the history of conferences. Get lower pricing now HERE about Tekmetric

  • If you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE about Turnkey Marketing for more on Turnkey Marketing.

  • 47 Consultants brings your shop’s story to life on social media, helping Carfix engage 60,000 people in Raleigh in just a few weeks. See what 47 Consultants can do for your shop, and tell them Big Daddy Mike sent you!

  • Elite Worldwide's Ignite 2027 is coming up in February and NOW is the time to sign up. It's happening in Vegas February 4-6 and it will be the best 3 days of your shops year when you attend. Save $100 when you use code CONFESSIONS HERE about Elite Worldwide

  • When I used the maintenance tool for the first time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now!

Hunt Demarest is a CPA with Paar, Melis, and Associates. Today, he joins Mike to talk shop financials, tax credits, and private equity. Hunt breaks down why consistent improvement—just 3% better each quarter—is more sustainable than chasing explosive growth. He offers a candid warning about risky investments, sharing his own hard lesson with a too-good-to-be-true real estate scheme. Finally, Hunt dives into the rise of private equity buying up repair shops, explaining how that's driving up valuations and changing the market for owners looking to sell.

704-CONFESS

The Confession Line

Questions, feedback, a confession of your own, or a little trash talk. Call the line and say it.

Listen on Your Platform

Order of Proceedings

More Confessions