Owner of Matt McGill Collision in Brewerton started business in his parents’ home garage over 40 years ago. ‘If I had to start up now like I did then, I’d never make it,’ he says
By Stefan Yablonski
Q: When did you start this business?
A: I started in October in 1981.
Q: So you’ve always been a car guy?
A: I started from scratch in my parents’ house garage. My grandfather on my mother’s side gave me an old compressor from the farm. I did odd jobs. I bought a paint gun from Sears and didn’t know what I was doing (laughs). That was a bit before ’81, before I actually started the business. In the late 1960s I would race go-carts and I would paint up my go-carts and take them to car shows in the winter time — races in the summer time. My dad liked motorsports. He’d take me to car shows and he’d take me to the races, Brewerton and Oswego. That was a treat — I liked that, I enjoyed it. My idea of fun was working on cars. I went to car shows, met mechanics and absorbed everything I could about cars simply because it was fun.
Q: How many employees do you have?
A: I have my two kids, Nick McGill, 30, Devin McGill, 26; my wife, Denise McGill; Ryan Hinan, entry level tech; and myself. We could use some extra help. We’re looking for competent help. It’s not easy, but that is the same challenge everybody has these days. I am not big into the certification because some people can do good on tests but when it comes to the real world, they fail. Teachable people is what I need.
Q: Have you kept up with all the changes in the industry?
A: We’re doing the best we can. The cars change all the time. You’ve got to keep up with it. You have to have people who can adapt and learn, constantly learning. You almost need to have a computer degree. There are a lot of areas I fail in and computers are not my strong suit. It’s a miracle that I have made it this far. It’s expensive to keep up with all the technology today. We’ve made a more than $200,000 investment; even some of the bigger shops are hesitant to spend that much money. We did and we specialize in it and we are doing good.
Q: How is the competition?
A: One thing that is to my benefit, I think, is I have a good name — and that is important. You’ve got these MSOs, which is multi-shop owners, there is a myriad of them, they are popping up all over the place and taking over. I’m the dinosaur. It’s not easy running a business — and keeping it going for more than 40 years. You have got to stay on your toes as best you can.
Q: Tell me about your towing business.
A: Last year, we had close to 300 cars. This year we are at about 150 cars right now between the mechanical and the body business. We started the towing business in 1985. I wouldn’t be here without it. That’s how we get a lot of our work; they break down, we tow them in. We had a customer last week; we towed her car and the lady said, ‘were you on the radio back in the ’80s on the oldies channel?’ I said yup that was me. I was surprised she remembered that long ago.
Q: Is the start of the winter season your busy time for towing?
A: No, we are busy all year round. We tow for the rental car people, too, 9-1-1, repos. We get as many as 70 tows a month.
Q: So you’re real busy?
A: We’re busy; there are people waiting to get in. We’re doing the best we can — we are not hurting for work now. But things can change. We’re not resting on our laurels.
Q: How have you stayed in business so long?
A: God’s grace, I’ll tell you that right now. I have some good help — from the almighty. I don’t deserve what I got, but I’m thankful! We do business the old-fashioned way — with a handshake and firm commitment to customer satisfaction.
Q: Tell me about the Crystal Ball Cruise program
A: That was something I started back in 1990. I noticed the number of wrecked vehicles attributable to teenage drinking and drug abuse began to grow every year. I picked a school and made a deal with the seniors. If they would pledge not to drink or use drugs for just one day, my pals and I would chauffeur them to the prom in a classic car. I saw the need with the behavior of our young people and fancy cars. I put the two together. It had great potential. There are a lot of great ideas that never make it. I had an idea and I went for it I’m not involved with it any more; it consumed a lot of time. It was simply taking too much time away from my family and business. I left around 2003. [It is still going today under new leadership.]
Q: What advice would you give someone just starting out today?
A: If I had to start up now like I did then, I’d never make it. There’s no way. So if you’re looking to start these days you better have plenty of help. It’s not easy and these woke politicians — even at the local level. Local government, they are clueless as far as the obstacles and challenges that they create for small business. Taxes are tough, inflation is a killer. I work hard and they grab me for a lot of taxes.
Q: Any thoughts about slowing down or maybe even retiring?
A: My two boys are looking to take over the business and their workmanship is very good. I am a body man who owns his own business. I’m not a bean counter. That’s why it’s a miracle that I’ve made it this long. I know some people that are business people that didn’t make it. So I’m blessed. But retire? You’ve got to do something. I probably could afford to retire; I don’t want to. I want to stay active, keep going.
