Business Spotlight: Rick's Automotive Inc.

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From the window is his office, Rick Hughlett can oversee operations in one of his two on-site repair facilities.|ret||ret||tab|

Hughlett likes to keep an eye on things, but he doesn't believe in micromanaging the 23 employees who work for him at Rick's Automotive in Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

"A lot of people are afraid to get bigger than themselves or to hire people who are smarter than they are," he said. "You can't be afraid to do that or to delegate responsibility. Whenever I get so busy I don't have time to personally meet with a customer, I know it's time for me to delegate."|ret||ret||tab|

Hughlett became interested in auto repair after taking several vocational technical training classes in high school. Following graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen, and began working as a mechanic. |ret||ret||tab|

By 1980, Hughlett was ready to start his own business. However, others questioned his timing as a 23-year-old man with a pregnant wife.|ret||ret||tab|

"Karen was for it, and she gave me the moral support I needed," he said. "A vet here in town, Dr. Phil Brown, also helped me. He let me rent a building that he owned, and he helped me get my start."|ret||ret||tab|

Initially, Rick's Automotive operated out of a small five-bay service facility. Hughlett did all of the mechanical work while his wife kept the books. The Hughletts also hired an employee to procure auto parts. |ret||ret||tab|

By 1985, the Hughletts had several employees, and the company began doing fleet work for a number of area businesses. Three years later, the company moved into a 6,500-square-foot, 10-bay facility at 2121 S. Campbell Ave., which is located just south of Bass Pro. |ret||ret||tab|

During the next 12 years, the Hughletts concentrated on increasing the walk-up auto repair service and fleet service segments of their business. |ret||ret||tab|

They ran ads that increased their company's visibility, and Rick Hughlett joined several professional organizations such as the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Breakfast Club and Springfield's Best. |ret||ret||tab|

He also joined a Bottom-Line Impact Group started by R.L. O'Connor and Associates Inc. in Federal Way, Wash. Each group comprises approximately 200 independent automotive repair shop owners who want to increase their management capabilities and improve their business' success. Each member allows others in the group to scrutinize his business, review the financial records and offer suggestions about how to improve operations.|ret||ret||tab|

"Some of our best practices have come from things I learned from other members of the group," said Rick Hughlett. |ret||ret||tab|

"It really helped me take my business to the next level."|ret||ret||tab|

In 2000, the Hughletts built a second 6,500-square-foot repair building to handle the company's fleet work. Rick's Automotive provides service and repair work for vehicles used by J. Howard Fisk Limousines Ltd., Bass Pro Shops, KYTV and the local American Red Cross. The company also services and repairs all the ambulances used by St. John's Regional Health System and CoxHealth, as well as vehicles used by many local churches.|ret||ret||tab|

"We're very proud of our fleet business as well as our loyal customers," said Rick Hughlett. |ret||ret||tab|

Hughlett believes the skill level of his employees has helped make Rick's Automotive stand out. Every employee is Automotive Service Excellence certified, including the company's service advisors. Many of the company's service technicians, including Hughlett, are master certified auto technicians, and six hold an L-1 certification for advanced automotive diagnostics. |ret||ret||tab|

Employees also are trained to use the company's state-of-the-art equipment and participate in regularly scheduled training exercises to maintain their expertise. |ret||ret||tab|

Hughlett has continued to hone his skills as well. In 1998, he received a diploma from the Automotive Management Institute, which recognizes him as an accredited automotive manager.|ret||ret||tab|

The company is a founding member of the Automotive Service Association in Springfield and has received ASE's Blue Seal of Excellence. In addition, Rick's Automotive is one of only a handful of facilities in Springfield to qualify as an American Automobile Association approved repair facility.|ret||ret||tab|

The company's commitment to excellence hasn't gone unnoticed. In 1999, Rick's Automotive was a finalist for Springfield Chamber of Commerce's "Small Business of the Year" award. For the past four years, the Springfield News-Leader has recognized Rick's Automotive for providing the "Best Auto Service," and in 1998, it received the "Best Auto Repair Service" award from 417 Magazine. |ret||ret||tab|

Hughlett also serves on the technical advisory board at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

Hughlett is firmly focused on making Rick's Automotive a "one-stop-service shop." As part of an ongoing effort to meet all of his customers' needs, Rick's Automotive recently added a tire and wheel department.|ret||ret||tab|

"My objective is to be the one-stop repair facility people think of whenever their car needs service," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

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