Make This “The Year” to Get Involved!
by Randy Notto, AASPMN President
Hello. My name is Randy Notto, and I operate Lenfer Automotive & Transmission, a family-owned automotive repair business with locations in Lino Lakes and Wyoming, MN. Lenfer was started by my father Len in 1953 and has employed many family members over the years.
When I was a kid, I would ride my bike to the shop, find some dirty floor to sweep or something to clean up, and then get my reward – 15 cents for a 10-ounce bottle of pop from the old pop machine. The thought that all this would be mine someday never crossed my mind, and I certainly had no idea that the rewards would be far greater. The “family” in the business these days consists of myself and my wonderful wife and partner, Deb.
In my early years as a shop owner, this time of year was full of decisions and purchases to be made. I had to meet with Peter (our Yellow Pages representative) to nail down the optimal size and budget for advertising for the entire year. Back then, the Yellow Pages was our main advertising source; thus, it was a really BIG deal. I had to order new parts and time guidebooks (so we knew what to charge for repairing vehicles), as well as the new repair guidebooks (so we knew how to repair the new vehicles). If there was a mistake in one of the books, you’d get a sheet in the mail to insert in your book at a later date. The “hi-tech” SnapOn brick scanner would need multiple new cartridges ordered so we could diagnose the complicated OBD2 systems of the day. We also needed to add another mechanic (the industry did not call them technicians yet), so I had to call the Pioneer Press to set up an employment want ad for the classified section of the newspaper. Then, I would have to gather all the paper receipts for the accountant to prepare tax returns. Most interactions back then were either over the phone or in person.
Nowadays, things are quite different. The BIG DEAL Yellow Pages ad is a thing of the past. Marketing/advertising is now done in many ways, and most of it is through online marketing services. Our estimating is computer-based and is updated as new makes and models are available. Our repair information is available in many different mediums (mostly digital), and updates in real time, rarely in printed form. We haven’t purchased a book in years and I can’t recall the last time anyone looked in one of the many books still here in the Lenfer library. We use online services to help with attracting new team members. The classified section still exists, but is barely used. Most of our paperwork is digital and sent to the accountant long before tax time with a click of the mouse. Our daily activities and ways of doing things have changed gradually over time, but looking back it is clear that there was enormous change to navigate and work through.
One thing that remains the same is the need to interact with like-minded business operators who also want to improve and are open to new approaches. Being around others who are either going through the same things you are – or have already been through them and can offer advice – is priceless. It can be challenging to accept radical changes that are forced onto you, or ideas of the “right way” to repair vehicles that contradict practices that have worked well for many years. I have always found that being able to talk with other shops and engage with the AASPMN makes a monumental difference in my leadership and the success of our shops.
At any of our industry events, you may find that missing piece to your puzzle or a golden nugget you can take back and use immediately in your operation. The opportunities are here for all to get involved in this association – committees, in-person meetings, Zoom meetings, Leadership Conference, Race for Automotive Education, Golf Outing, Board participation and more to come. Let’s make this year “the year” to get ourselves more involved with the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers MN and improve our businesses and industry!
Want more? Check out the May 2025 issue of AASP-MN News!