Darrin Dickinson leads twelve team members at Dickinson Service Center, which sees 100 cars moving through fourteen bays a week. It's not a small operation adding value to hard-working residents of Hickory, NC.  

For most shop owners who have been in business since 1994, constantly looking to learn and seeking ways to improve isn't normal. However, for Dickinson, it's been a key to his success. When asked what advice he would give to a new shop owner, he said, "Follow your heart and listen to what wise people tell you. Take it all in to improve you and your shop. Learn something all the time because if you aren't learning as a shop owner, you're dead." 

"Learn something new all the time as a shop owner because if you aren't learning, you're dead." - Darren DickinsonDickinson also puts his advice in action by being an active member of Automotive Training Institute (ATI). He said, "Being a member of ATI has helped me learn how to turn Dickinson Service Center into a business than a shop. Not only has then been invaluable, but we are finally getting to our full potential." He continued, "One example of this is partnering with Motor Supply Co. We are getting a huge bang for our buck when purchasing quality motor oil. We finally have a chance to make money on oil changes. It's become a profitable situation rather than a courtesy service." 

"Thanks to Motor Supply Co, we finally have a chance to make money on oil changes. It's become a profitable situation rather than a courtesy service." - Darren DickinsonThe Industry Is Changing And Staying The Same

The automotive service industry is seeing an enormous amount of change. Technology has infiltrated the market, and it's constantly evolving. This isn't something great shop owners like Dickinson are avoiding. Instead, he said, "Sure, it's concerning how quickly cars and their technology are changing, but it just means we have to adapt with the market versus fighting it.

"Cars and their technology are changing quickly, but it means shop owners will have to adapt to the market versus fighting it."The automotive service industry is one of the few that provides daily interaction with customers, and Dickinson embraces that. "What I am most excited about remaining in this industry is our entire team loves being around people and solving problems. One of the gifts of this industry is you never see the same thing, and you keep getting the opportunity to serve your customers.