Business By The Numbers Aftermarket Radio Network

On this Episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt reflects on his time at the STX conference in Nashville, sharing stories about the connections made and lessons learned from industry experts.
• Economic News Breakdown: We get into the latest economic updates that dropped last Wednesday. Hunt breaks down what these changes in numbers might mean for your wallet and business this year, especially when it comes to interest rates.
• Tax Talk and Government Spending: Hunt explains the proposed wealth tax and what the latest federal budget might mean for us. There’s a lot of talk about balancing the budget without raising taxes too much, and we'll explore what that could look like.
• Capital Gains and Your Money: We take a closer look at potential hikes in capital gains taxes and how these could affect your investments and long-term financial planning.
• Understanding the Numbers: Inflation, GDP... these terms get thrown around a lot. We’ll unpack what they really mean for the economy and for us as workers and business owners.
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it.  After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business.  Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.com
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network

Hunt unpacks his recent experiences and learnings from the Virginia Automotive Association Conference in Hot Springs, Virginia. Joined by Jamie from Sesco, an HR expert, Hunt explores potential impacts of proposed wealth taxes and shares expert advice on how auto industry professionals can navigate current financial climates.
• Conference Insights: Hunt reflects on his productive collaboration with Jamie from Sesco during the conference, promising an in-depth future episode with her to dive into HR and legal topics relevant to auto shop owners.
• Wealth Tax Discussion: Hunt discusses a trending topic that stirred interest at the conference—a possible wealth tax. He debates the likelihood and implications of such a tax, referencing recent legislative attempts and public sentiment towards wealth distribution.
• Financial Strategies: Learn about legal loopholes and financial strategies used by the wealthy to mitigate tax liabilities, with Hunt explaining complex mechanisms like borrowing against securities instead of liquidating assets.
• Listener Engagement: Hunt encourages listener interaction by inviting questions and suggestions for future topics, underscoring the podcast’s commitment to addressing audience interests.
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it.  After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business.  Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.com
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network

Welcome to this episode of "Business by the Numbers," where we dive deep into the often controversial topic of tax fairness. Join Hunt, as he explores if the wealthiest among us are really shouldering their fair share of the tax burden.
• Defining 'Rich': How income levels and perceptions of wealth vary across different regions and impact tax contributions.
• The Progressive Tax System: A closer look at how the U.S. tax system scales with income and what that means for the top 1% of earners.
• Real Figures: We break down recent statistics to understand the actual tax contributions made by high earners.
• Beyond Income Tax: Examining other significant tax obligations faced by the wealthy, including sales tax, property tax, and surtaxes.
• Debunking Myths: Addressing common misconceptions about tax evasion among the wealthy and what the data really shows.
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it.  After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business.  Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.com
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network

In this week’s episode, Hunt gets into the financial intricacies faced by auto repair shop owners, from refinancing debts and selling shops to securing new mortgages in today’s unpredictable market. He explores the strategies and tips to steer through the banking hurdles and optimize your financial operations.
• Market Update & Interest Rates: Starting with a quick market update, Hunt discusses the current state of interest rates and how they're affecting both personal and commercial loans. Despite the unchanged rates by the Federal Reserve, the historical highs are impacting mortgage affordability and commercial borrowing costs.
• Loan Acquisition Challenges: The episode sheds light on the complexities of acquiring loans in the current financial climate. Hunt discusses the often opaque criteria banks use to approve loans, offering some tips for what shop owners can do to increase their chances of securing financing.
• Listener Q&A and Acknowledgments: A special thanks to listeners for their engaging questions in the previous mailbox episode. Your curiosity fuels our content, and we’re here to address your concerns, guiding you toward informed financial decisions for your auto repair shop.
• Rapid Fire Tips for Financial Management: Closing the episode, Hunt offers some rapid-fire advice for managing your finances better, from understanding the nuances of loan interest rates to practical tips for ensuring your business stays liquid and prepared for any financial challenges ahead.
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it.  After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business.  Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.com
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network

In the latest episode of "Business by the Numbers," Hunt tackles an intriguing question for auto repair shops: Can success be achieved without marking up parts? This concept challenges traditional profit models in the auto repair industry, sparking a discussion on how feasible this strategy actually is. This episode explores the potential shift towards labor-only profits and its impact on shop operations.
• Labor vs. Parts Profits: Evaluating the potential for auto repair shops to sustain profitability solely through labor, eliminating the need for parts markup.
• Customer Pricing Perception: How the shift to a labor-only model could simplify pricing discussions with customers in the digital age.
• Legal and Financial Considerations: The episode explores the complexities of sales tax, state regulations, and the financial implications of a no-markup strategy.
• Future of Auto Repair Industry: Encourages shop owners and mechanics to reflect on innovative practices that could redefine success and adapt to evolving customer expectations.
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it.  After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business.  Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.com
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network

In the latest episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA at Paar Mellis & Associates, tackles your top questions on taxes, accounting, and navigating government policies for small businesses. This episode explores how recent government actions like the budget deal affect your business, alongside evergreen topics like:
• Paying Yourself: What's the best way to balance salary and dividends, especially considering different business structures like S corporations and sole proprietorships?
• Succession Planning: How can you smoothly transfer your business to a family member, weighing the pros and cons of stock vs. asset sales?
• Accounting Methods: The real impact of choosing between accrual and cash accounting for your business's financial health.
• Overtime Calculations: Navigating the complexities of overtime pay, focusing on the nuances of bonuses in your payroll.
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it.  After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business.  Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.com
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network