Tomi Oliva, owner of SJ Automotive in Chicago, took over his family's auto repair business in 2016 and has transformed it into a thriving shop. He faced typical challenges for many shops, including inefficient workflows, difficulties in tracking key metrics, and the need for better customer communication. Tomi recognized the need for change and embraced Tekmetric, a decision that led to dramatic results.
Challenge
“I started noticing that my shop management system was really, really bad.”
SJ Automotive relied on a cumbersome system that slowed operations and hindered growth, resulting in:
- Time-consuming quote generation
- Difficulties in tracking technician productivity
- Limited visibility into shop performance metrics
- Slower customer communication
Solution
Tomi chose Tekmetric for its ability to provide real-time data, streamline shop operations, and enhance customer communication. The platform automated processes, improved financial tracking, and facilitated a transparent repair process.
Results

Doubling Car Count and Revenue
"Tekmetric is a tool in my tool bag that's helped me become profitable.”
Tomi has driven significant growth across key metrics at SJ Automotive:
- Revenue: Monthly revenue has doubled, growing from ~$20–25K to ~$40–50K.
- Average Repair Order (ARO): Increased by approximately $200 per vehicle.
- Efficiency: Estimate creation time reduced from 40 minutes to about 10 minutes.
- Car Count: SJ Automotive’s car count has doubled since switching to Tekmetric.
Data-Driven Decision Making
"I didn't even know some of these metrics before, and now they're in front of my face every time I open it."
With Tekmetric’s real-time reporting and data insights, Tomi now has a clear view of key metrics like technician hours, employee productivity, and profitability. This visibility helps identify areas for improvement and optimize overall performance. In addition, integration with SEO tools enables SJ Automotive to track marketing ROI and fine-tune campaigns for greater effectiveness.
Improved Customer Communication
"I really love the ease of communication and authorization."
SJ Automotive has improved their customer communication by streamlining estimate and authorization processes. As a result, estimates, approvals, and payments happen faster, creating a more efficient and transparent repair process and improving overall customer satisfaction.
What’s Next
Tomi is focused on continued growth. SJ Automotive's future goals include doubling their car count, opening another location, and implementing new growth strategies.