Summer vacations are a chance to get away. If you did not take a break from your tire store, please do yourself a favor and get into the habit. Human capital includes helping your staff make your business not only profitable but a place they like to work at and stay. Time off of work is necessary so we can slow down and enjoy life.

I found out recently I would be a grandfather for the fifth time. The oldest grandchild is now 16 - time for a mini-van. As a shop owner for over 25 years, I went to Facebook marketplace and found a one-owner 2006 Honda Odessey with only 168,000 miles. Just broken in! Optioned with eight seats and a very low price, it was purchased. After a road test, rust examination - I live in central Massachusetts - and review of the service records, we bought it.     

My wife, Deb, loves Cape Cod, so we planned a one-week vacation and the Honda went under the care of my four new hires.

Business at my new company, Worcester EVs, is growing rapidly. WEVS, as we call it, was opened at the beginning of 2026 and six months later, we needed more help or as I call it, “human capital." How do you hire four techs quickly? Offer them a job that is irresistible.

I brought a flyer to Worcester Tech’s automotive class one month before school ended this year. 

The advertisement worked. The new hires are Judah, Kamal, Manny and Lily.

Judah is 20, has a driver’s license and drives stick shift, with one year of automotive training in a non-technical Worcester High School. I found Judah with an advert using Indeed.

Kamal and Manny are friends, both 18 years old, no licenses and just graduated from Worcester Tech after four years in auto shop.

Lily was 16 when I met her as a junior at the auto class with Kamal and Manny. She is smart and enthusiastic.

Judah worked for the city we live in, but his boss was the reason he left and joined us. He just bought a used Honda Civic that needs work so he can have his own car. Two were born outside the United States and all are defined as minorities. In 2026, this is a microcosm of our industry.

I have heard the words “mechanic shortage” since I opened my shop in the mid-70s. There is no shortage. We are out of experienced people. Poaching is all that is left. As a business owner, my company is not immune to outside forces.

Back to Cape Cod. We did something I hadn’t done in a couple of decades and we closed the company for a week. We all needed a break. I know many shops can’t do that, but we can. The Honda was loaded up with beach stuff and the family. The two-hour drive took three hours as the Sagamore Bridge was backed up as usual. Three days in, a noise happened. I dropped the family at the beach and off to Falmouth Auto Care. They tightened up the van's caliper bolts. I ordered more torque wrenches on my phone.  

When I returned to work, we had a series of meetings. I was thankful it was my vehicle and not a customer's vehicle. The loose bolt was my responsibility. A simple chain of command was put in and that issue was solved. No one was “in trouble.” This transition won’t be easy as we rebuild our workforce, but do we have a choice?