Show notes
Thanks to our partners Promotive, WickedFile, Maverick Shop Owners, and OverdryveDo you actually know your break-even point, or just a number that feels close enough? And if you hit it, would you even know why?This week's episode started with a phone call. Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, was walking a client through his numbers through July when he realized something: most shop owners can eyeball their break-even point, but almost none of them understand what's actually driving it. Hunt breaks down the fastest way to find your break-even using your own monthly financials, why a sales target is really just a stand-in for what you actually need (gross profit), and how to turn that number into real targets for cars, hours, and average repair order that your team can actually use. He also tackles the messy middle ground of cost of goods sold versus overhead, and why the math works out the same either way as long as you're consistent.Whether you've never once run this calculation for your shop or you set your break-even years ago and haven't touched it since, this episode is a practical field guide to knowing the one number that tells you if your shop is actually working.What You'll Learn…(00:00) Intro(00:44) Housekeeping: the book, the sponsors, and how to ask Hunt anything(02:48) The client call that inspired this episode(03:14) The fastest way to find your break-even: your own monthly numbers(04:43) The reality check: making sure it's a true break-even month(05:53) Sales targets vs. what your team actually needs to hear(07:33) Cost of goods sold vs. overhead: the literal breakdown(11:21) Building your gross profit target from three financial categories(16:25) The margin math: why 50% gross profit beats 30%, every time(17:45) The revolving cycle: why this number needs regular updatesThanks to our partner, PromotivePromotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our partner, WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Thanks to our partner, Maverick Shop OwnersYou're working on growing a more profitable shop - that's critical. That's exactly what the 24-video Blueprint course by Maverick Shop Owners addresses - customers, sales, profit, people, systems, and freedom. Get free access for our listeners only at https://maverickshopowners.com/blueprintThanks to our partner, OverdryveOverdryve is your AI-powered marketing operating system. It predicts slow weeks before they happen, automatically launches revenue-driving campaigns, tracks ROI down to the dollar, and optimizes performance in real time. Visit https://overdryvemarketing.com/Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: www.paarmelis.comEmail Hunt: [email protected] the FREE 2026 Auto Shop Benchmark Report: https://hubs.ly/Q04j-grh0Download a Copy of My Books Here:Beyond the Bays: A Financial Playbook for Auto Repair Shop OwnersWrenches to Write-OffsYour Perfect Shop The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Download the ARPN APP for your smartphone and listen to all our network shows: arpn.appRemarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionAutomotive Field Theory with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.