“TAB uncovered a lot of questions that I didn’t know needed answering”

Once the entrepreneurial bug has bitten, some small business owners find that one business is not enough. For more than 20 years, Bob Hine has owned a successful high-end automotive repair service in Atlanta, GA. In 2009, Hine and his brother decided to invest in another local business, the Hitch House, which provides trailer hitch installation, as well as trailer service and repair to an 11-county area.

Although the Hitch House had been in operation since 1964, when Hine acquired the business he found himself confronted with several problems. “It was a mom and pop operation,” he explains. “It was not really run the way a business should be run. There were a lot of employees, too much inventory and a bad location.”

Yet, instead of jumping in head first, Hine gave himself six months to observe the operation and make sure he really understood what was happening. Toward the end of this period, he joined TAB, and used his fellow members as a sounding board as he tackled the different problems.

“TAB uncovered a lot of questions that I didn’t know needed answering,” he recalls. “For example, if you have too much inventory and want to eliminate some of it, do you just start slashing your inventory, or do you find out what your best sellers are and get rid of the dead weight?”

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Bob HineHitch House of Georgia, Inc.

Atlanta, GAMember Since: 2009

In addition to inventory issues, Hine worked on getting the business financials in order. He brought in a bookkeeper/office manager who automated the inventory and all financial transactions. He also let go some of the existing employees, trimming the staff to only four.

On the marketing front, Hine brought the Hitch House up to speed. He moved away from a significant phone book presence to online marketing, including an updated website, which now generates the majority of Hine’s leads and helps differentiate the business from the competition.

As a result of Hine’s hard work and business acumen, the Hitch House has seen revenue, which had been stagnating, grow by 33% percent since he took over the business. He credits TAB with holding his feet to the fire and keeping him focused on deadlines, as well as giving him a place to discuss his business challenges with other business owners. “Nobody wants to talk about problems they have in their business in casual conversation. TAB is more intimate,” he says.

“You join TAB, it’s sort of like marriage counseling. You’re there because you love the business and you want to make it better, instead of sticking your head in the sand and ignoring it.”

Nobody wants to talk about problems they have in their business in casual conversation. TAB is more intimate.”

11031 Sheridan Blvd. Westminster, CO 80020 | 303.839.1200 | www.TheAlternativeBoard.com #029 February, 2013

About The Alternative Board

The Alternative Board® (TAB) helps forward-thinking business owners grow their businesses, increase profitability and improve their lives by leveraging local business advisory boards, private business coaching and proprietary strategic services.