Smart Business Magazine, Feb 2013

12 Smart Business Houston February 2013 People are talking about us which makes me proud MARK CARR PRESIDENT AND CEO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE CORP COVER CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE CORP And I left he says But that is how I stuck up for her Thats not the only time that I have done that for my customers Did she get her money back I dont know if he gave it to her or not he says But I hope he did I hope I shamed him enough to give the money back How would you like somebody doing that to your mother and there was nobody to stand up for her The incident is a reflection of the simple but powerful mission Carr has for his company love your neighbor as yourself With Christian Brothers Automotive Carrs goal is to distinguish his company in a field in which a number of lesser shops have often taken their lumps for poor customer service A lot of times you get a customer who walks in the door and he thinks that you are a crook he says He may even say it before you even touch his car It was a challenge for me to change that persons mind to show that that wasnt true In 1997 the company began selling franchises that promoted family values Today there are 750 employees and 109 franchises in 14 states and 25 more are in the planning stages I did start out with a partner and I bought him out about two years into it so that is where the Christian Brothers came in using my Bible study he says about one of the most frequently asked questions Heres how Carr president and CEO set Christian Brothers apart from other companies in a field that is often viewed suspiciously and how he generated 160 million in revenue in 2012 Walk in anothers shoes Not every company is founded upon what you might call a divine nudge but no matter where the inspiration comes from if that nudge becomes the heart of your company and if you believe the company will only continue through a strong connection to that inspiration superior customer service and a spirit dedicated to strengthening the community you will be successful Carr says He founded Christian Brothers Automotive in 1982 with the help of fellow church members after he spent months praying about how he should change his life One of the first steps he took to stand out above the rest was to take inventory of market perceptions of the industry I sat down and I made a list of 20 reasons why people hate to get their car repaired he says I went through every one checked off all 20 on that list and said I can solve every one of those His first goal was to be a light in the community To do that establish your operation as fair and reliable he says When you make honesty and integrity the foundation of your business word gets around Word of mouth is