Tekmetric CEO Sunil Patel Talks Mindset and Growing Your Auto Repair Business

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April 26, 2022

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Read time: 3 min

“If you are interested in picking up a new hobby like boating, you’ll do everything you can to learn more and more and more. Why can’t you do that with your auto repair shop?

Is it because it’s boring?

Is it because it’s not the same?

It doesn’t excite you as much as your hobby would?

If you take a second and stop to think, you’ll realize you can have any hobby in the world if you focus on your repair shop and get it to where it needs to be.

There is no waiting for the right person to walk through the door. There is no waiting for the right technician."

"It has to happen right now, today."

Tekmetric Co-CEO and Co-Founder Sunil Patel recently joined Kelsey Outram on the LIFT Your Shop Podcast to talk tech, mentorship, and transforming your auto repair business.

From medical school to law enforcement, Sunil tried his hand at a variety of fields over the years, but eventually all roads led him to founding Tekmetric with Prasanth Chilukuri in 2016.

Tekmetric quickly became the preferred shop management system in the auto repair industry.

And if you ask Sunil why, he’ll say it’s all about mindset.

If you’re a shop owner who has been feeling stuck, here are six steps you can take to shift gears.

1. Define Your Goals

“When you really set your mind to something, it subconsciously changes how you behave as a human, as a person. And you hone in on what you’re trying to accomplish and you accomplish that task.”

Here are some examples of goals you might hear people talk about in the auto repair industry:

  • “I want to make one million dollars in revenue this year."
  • “I would like to add another bay to the shop by the end of the year."
  • “I want to open another location in 2023.”

What do these goals all have in common? They are specific, achievable, and easy to track.

In the same way that it’s difficult to plan a vacation without having a travel destination in mind, it’s difficult to achieve a goal if you never set one in the first place.

Knowing where you want to go is the first step toward figuring out a roadmap to get there.

2. Accept That Change is Part of the Process

“Forget about the technology and software and all that for a moment, and ask yourself this: Are you happy with where you are today running your shop? And if the answer is no, then dig deeper.”

Whether your shop is looking to switch parts suppliers or invest in a new shop management system, change can be intimidating.

Many shops experience growing pains, but keeping an open mind is essential to driving your business forward.

3. Be Willing to Ask for Help

“We are just the shop management system or the tool that a repair shop uses to process the information in the repair shop. But success has to do with more than a tool. You have to have a breakthrough."

"You have to realize that there is something happening in my repair shop that I need help fixing. You have to be willing to ask for help…Really observe and listen to all the voices saying there’s a better way to run an auto repair shop.”

Tradeshows and conferences offer great networking opportunities, but you may not always be able to attend.

If you’re looking to connect with other repair shop owners and build relationships within the industry, Sunil recommends joining Facebook groups and listening to automotive industry podcasts.

4. Connect With a Mentor

“A lot goes into running an auto repair shop. It’s not just about knowing the fundamentals of running a business, but it’s the way people interact, the way you propagate information, the way you receive information, and what you do with that information. It’s the way organization or structure is designed.

There’s a lot of little nuances in dealing with people that you’re not going to get just by trial and error…I think having a mentor is really important for anything you do in life. I’m getting coaching today in running Tekmetric."

Mentors are human and chances are they’ve made some mistakes. A good mentor will ensure you don’t make the same mistakes they did.

Tek Tip: Looking for a book recommendation? Sunil recommends “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni.

5. Be a Team Player

“There’s a lot of trust that goes into running a team. At Tekmetric, we don’t want to lose sight of those team dynamics as we grow and develop as a company. More than anything, we want to make sure everyone is operating with a common goal and everybody’s in sync…If even one team or one area falls out, then the whole machine breaks apart.

The goal is to try and get this machine to spin at a faster rate, slowly and incrementally by making small adjustments. We want to elevate everybody while achieving our goals together."

Tekmetric recently accepted a Silver Stevie Award® at The 20th Annual American Business Awards® for Achievement in Growth. We’ve grown tremendously over the past year, and although we consistently release new features and integrations (like our first-of-its-kind OEC RepairLink integration, our team player mindset has always stayed the same.

Tek Tip: Make sure your partners are team players, too.

6. Leverage Technology

“We have a new generation of car drivers on the road that don’t want to come in and speak to somebody or pick up a phone call. They want the convenience of technology on their cell phone to look and see what’s wrong with their vehicle, approve and decline jobs, pay for the repair, and then just come and collect the vehicle.”

Shops that leverage technology have more scalability. Tekmetric offers auto repair shops a frictionless shop management experience with improved efficiency and workflow.

Having the freedom to step away from the shop and trust that everything is under control empowers shop owners to focus less on micromanaging and more on leadership. Tekmetric puts you in the driver’s seat.

In the words of Sunil:

"You have to be intentional and ready to make the change. Trust in the process. If you focus on mindset first, the business practices and success will eventually follow.”
👉 Ready to grow your automotive business? [Book a personalized Tekmetric Demo Here]

FAQ

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Summer is a busy time in the auto repair industry, and 2020 was no exception.

But as the seasons change to fall and winter, we notice that fewer people are taking their vehicles in for repairs. Of course, this varies from state to state. Auto repair shops in colder climates may still see a steady flow of customers as drivers winterize their vehicles.

In most places, a slow down in business is to be expected.

While there may be fewer walk-ins, there are several ways shop owners and service writers can stimulate business and maintain a healthy sales funnel.

How Auto Repair Shops Can Bring In Even More Business

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Tekmetric is coming to SEMA 2026, and we're building something big.

From Nov. 3-6, 2026, our team will be in the North Hall at Booth 11847 featuring the all-in-one auto repair platform trusted by more than 16,000 shops. We're bringing live demos, hands-on benchmarking, announcing new products, a timed brick-building competition with prizes, and one big build we can't talk about just yet.

I've been to a lot of show floors, and the shop owners who get the most out of SEMA don't try to see everything. They show up knowing what they need and where to find it, so consider this your map to everything Tekmetric at SEMA.

SEMA 2026 fast facts

  • When: Nov. 3-6, 2026
  • Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas
  • Tekmetric: Booth 11847, North Hall
  • Who can attend: The show is trade-only. Friday, Nov. 6, is the only day open to the general public.
  • Education: More than 99 free professional education sessions run during the week.
  • Can't make it? See what we have planned for SEMA.

Why we're at SEMA

SEMA is the biggest week of the year for the automotive aftermarket, and it reaches far beyond the service bay. Parts manufacturers, tool and lift makers, tire and wheel brands, audio and electronics suppliers, collision and refinish specialists, truck and off-road builders, and racing teams all share one campus for four days. More than 2,000 exhibitors debut thousands of products, and the builds in the aisles make you stop walking. It's one of the biggest stages in the world for anything with an engine.

Tekmetric is one piece of that picture. Auto repair technology is a small corner of a very large industry, but the shops that run on it sit at the center of it. Every part, tire, and tool on that floor eventually lands in a bay, on a lift, and on a repair order. Our customers and partners are there, and so are the shop owners, service advisors, and technicians who haven't met us yet. The energy and the connections are why we come, and this year we're bringing more than we ever have.

Build your plan, brick by brick

Decide what you need before you land. Whether it's new equipment, a better front counter, or an honest read on how your shop compares to others, write it down and build your route around it.

Know the halls. SEMA fills the Las Vegas Convention Center campus, and the floor is organized into 14 product categories across five hall sections. Knowing which hall holds what saves miles on your feet:

  • West Hall: Trucks, SUVs, and Off-Road; Powersports, Side-by-Side, and Lifestyle (new for 2026); Restyling and Car Care Accessories
  • North Hall: Business Services (that's us); Mobile Electronics and Technology; Restyling and Trucks
  • Central Hall: Racing and Performance; Hot Rod Alley; Restoration Marketplace
  • South Hall Upper: Tools and Equipment; Collision Repair and Refinish
  • South Hall Lower: Global Tire Expo powered by TIA; Wheels and Accessories; New Products Showcase

For most repair shop owners, South Hall Upper (lifts, tools, and equipment), South Hall Lower (tires), and North Hall (business services) cover the most ground. Start there and branch out.

Bring your numbers. Know your average repair order, car count, parts margin, and effective labor rate, because every vendor conversation gets sharper when you can talk specifics. At our booth, those four numbers unlock something worth your time, and we'll get to that below.

Leave room between stops. The campus is large and the days are long, so buffer time lets you follow a good conversation instead of cutting it short.

Wear comfortable shoes. It's the same advice every year, and it's still true.

What's waiting for you at Booth 11847

Our theme this year is building shop results, brick by brick, and every station in the booth answers one question: What does this do for my shop?

See how your shop stacks up

Run your numbers through the Tekmetric Shop Index and see how your ARO, car count, parts margin, and effective labor rate compare to thousands of shops nationwide. It takes about two minutes, and you walk away knowing exactly where you stand. Your benchmark also enters you to win a $1,000 gift card.

Watch the platform work

Our booth is set up around three stations that match how a shop actually runs:

  • Run Your Shop. Repair orders, digital vehicle inspections, scheduling, and real-time reporting in one place.
  • Secure Payments. Built-in payment processing, including Buy Now, Pay Later options that help customers say yes to the full estimate.
  • Engage Customers. Two-way texting, review management, digital advertising, and marketing tools that keep your bays full between visits.

Each station is one piece, and together they're the whole platform. Bring a question about your own shop and we'll answer it with a real-world example.

But this year, we also have something new to show you.

Are you one of the 51% of shops that has to send vehicles to the dealership because you can't find the repair data you need? Or did you know the average shop misses 166 calls a month? Or that the average DVI takes 30 minutes?

At SEMA, we're showing you what we're doing about all three, before anyone else sees it.

Compete in the Brick by Brick Build Off

It's the only build at SEMA that fits in your carry-on. Grab a bin of toy bricks and race the clock against three other builders in a seven-minute competition. A new round starts about every 10 minutes — just listen for the horn honk that opens and closes each round.

Build a car, a truck, a boat, or whatever you have in mind. Our team judges every entry, and the day's top builds go on display with your name, city, and shop. One winner each day takes home a LEGO car set: a 1960 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C, a Dodge Charger R/T, a Ford Model T, or a Lamborghini Revuelto.

We are bringing something big

We've been working on something for months, and we can't share the details yet. We'll just say it's life-size, it's made of bricks, and the horn works, so come see it in person.

Tektonic 2027

Tektonic is our annual industry conference, built for shop owners, service advisors, and technicians who want to run better shops. Stop by to hear what's planned for 2027 and how to be part of it.

Canadian shops: Join us at AIA Canada Night

Tekmetric is a sponsor of AIA Canada Night during SEMA week. If you run a shop in Canada, come meet our team from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at HaSalon inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Canada Night is a ticketed, trade-only event, so secure your spot through AIA Canada.

Beyond the booth

Once you've found us, the rest of SEMA is worth your time, too. The tools and equipment halls show you what's coming to your bays before it hits a catalog, and the free education sessions cover shop management, marketing, and technical training. The conversations with other shop owners are often the best part of the week.

See you in Las Vegas

You won't see all of SEMA, and that was never the goal. The best weeks end with one idea you put to work the Monday you get back. Make Booth 11847 one of your stops to run your numbers, build something, and meet the team behind the platform. We'll be in the North Hall, brick by brick.

Want the full rundown before you go? See what we have planned for SEMA.

Tekmetric at SEMA 2026: Your Guide to the Show and Booth 11847

October 15, 2026

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Tekmetric, the leading Houston-based automotive repair technology company, has been recognized as a 2022 MOTOR Top 20 Award winner for its recent integration with RepairLink by OEConnection (OEC), a renowned technology provider for the aftersales industry.

The integration, selected by industry experts as well as public popular vote, allows shop owners to seamlessly order original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts directly from the Tekmetric Shop Management System.

For over three decades, the annual MOTOR Top 20 Awards have recognized outstanding new industry solutions across the automotive industry, from the most innovative tool or equipment to creating the best customer experience.

Winners are selected by automotive professionals and experts who voted over a thirty-day open voting process from a selection of this year’s most valuable contributions to the industry.

“As a leading shop management system, our team at Tekmetric shares a mutual belief with our partners at OEC that we best support shop owners in all their business needs by providing modern and relevant solutions,” said Sunil Patel, Co-Founder and CEO of Tekmetric.

“We are honored and humbled to have the Tekmetric-RepairLink integration recognized by both our customers – shop owners – and our industry peers as one of this year’s most innovative solutions.”

With its combination of Tekmetric’s cloud-based capabilities and RepairLink’s parts ordering platform, the integration builds upon Tekmetric’s existing parts ordering offerings to streamline the process of ordering OEM parts for auto repair shops. Through the integration, shop owners can track orders or returns with real-time online updates, as well as address orders in one screen, transferring any quoted parts and VIN numbers automatically into Tekmetric.

“Vehicle sophistication is growing rapidly, and all signs point to even more advancements, meaning it’s absolutely necessary for repairers to have enhanced access to critical parts and information,” said Bonnie Coleman, OEC Director, Mechanical Retail.

“This is why OEC is thrilled to partner with Tekmetric, and that this integration has been recognized for the valuable contribution it offers to the industry.”

To learn more about the MOTOR Awards and view the 2022 Top 20 Awards, visit https://www.motor.com/top20awards-winners.‍

About Tekmetric

Tekmetric, a Houston-based auto repair technology company, offers a cloud-based platform that enables auto repair shop owners to enhance productivity and increase profitability through its streamlined workflow management processes.

Designed by a former shop owner, Tekmetric’s platform drives shop efficiency through real-time data, a customizable user interface and customer-centric communication tools.

Since its launch in 2016, Tekmetric has disrupted the industry with its robust fully-integrated system, developed with an emphasis on customer transparency and user collaboration.

For more information, visit www.tekmetric.com

About OEConnection Holdings LLC

OEConnection Holdings’ portfolio includes OEC, the leading parts ecommerce technology provider for OEM distribution networks, serving over 20 OEMs and 100,000 dealership and repair customers.

Providence Equity Partners is the majority stakeholder of OEConnection Holdings; Ford Motor Company and General Motors are minority stakeholders.

The company is headquartered in the greater Cleveland area at 4205 Highlander Parkway, Richfield, Ohio, 44286

Additional information is available at www.OEConnection.com.

Tekmetric Recognized as 2022 MOTOR Top 20 Award Winner

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