After attending UC Davis, Marcus worked for a top-rated independent repair shop in Napa, California, for 7 years. He worked his way up from shop assistant to service manager and learned the service side of the auto repair business.

He left the automotive field and ran a successful mortgage business in California and Nevada for many years. He thought his auto repair days were behind him after moving to Carson City with his wife and two kids in 2006. He was unable to find a dealership or independent shop that lived up to his expectations.

In December of 2008, he heard that Capitol Automotive was for sale. On a whim, he looked at the shop, and it was purchased and running under his leadership within 30 days. It wasn’t a well run operation and he shares his start-up story.

In his spare time, Marcus enjoys cycling, anything involving the Sierra Nevada, and shuttling teenagers to various sport and school activities.

Talking points:

• Started sweeping floors in a shop in NAPA, CA after college and became the manager of the shop
• Found a shop in their town, a going concern that needs a bunch of TLC
  • The shop was next to the state capitol building.
  • The purchase was during the tough times of the 2008 recession.
  • His wife became his partner.
• A big regret; he would have hired his business coach sooner than he did.
  • Joined Elite Worldwide, never regretted the decision.
• Mentioned in the interview: Frank Scandura and Jim Murphy. See links below.
• He is passionate about helping people.
  • His desire to service drove him to get into the business.
• His team is great at building relationships.
• Marcus is working to grow the maintenance share of the companies volume that is currently at 40%.
• Telematics and ODBII. He is looking for a company to bring him a unit that builds relationships with his customers. He’s not seen a unit that will do what he would like.
• He asks people a lot of questions that help establish the why of his business.
• He’s not in the tire business. He explains why.
• Marcus recently moved to a tiered flat rate system for his techs.
•  He is looking to change behavior. He has a point system on meeting certain goals that go to his people’s favorite charity.
• His wife is his best advisor and partner in the company.

Other interviews referenced in this episode:

• Bob Cooper from Elite Worldwide. Episode 236.
• Jim Murphy, Pro Service. Episode 41.
• Frank Scandura. All Episodes Here.

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