Advanced Auto Clinic
PHONE: (262) 728-2944
EMAIL: hwy50@aacdelavan.com
Fast, Convenient, Affordable Service:
4300 WI-50, Delavan, WI 53115
Milestones Are Meant To Be Passed [shopownermag.com]
Original Article published at shopownermag.com by Carolyn Gray on Jun 28, 2021
Tony Lynn achieved his profit and expansion goals. Then he promptly set new ones.
Business owners can be pretty tough on themselves. While it’s important to recognize the milestones you’ve hit, it’s also true that the most successful shop owners never have the sense there is “nothing left to achieve.” One of the signs of an outstanding owner is always striving to achieve further successes.
Tony Lynn, owner of Advanced Auto Clinic in Delavan, WI continues to strive for success.
“Advanced Auto Clinic will always be a work in progress,” Lynn says. “I have grown to love doing what I’m doing, and I will always be looking for the next game. When one goal is achieved, the next one will be set and achieved. It’s a very rewarding cycle.”
Reaching for that next level of success, looking beyond where he is right now and not just dreaming about goals but putting together real and attainable actions to get there is part of Lynn’s makeup. He has owned his shop since 2003.
“I have never felt that the business has reached its full potential and I will always feel there’s more to get done. I have set high goals and achieved things that I never thought possible but even then, I feel I can get more out of it,” Tony said.
It’s natural to feel frustration about never getting everything done, but a successful owner embraces that “push and pull” of being a bit anxious about always having more to do and achieve. The fact is, you’ll never be completely done. No matter the phase your ownership is, that feeling should be used as a business tool to get more done – but here’s the trick: the plans and goals need to be organized in a way so that they can get done. The last thing you want is to get so frustrated about all the work to be done that you don’t make any progress but just end up being stuck.
“My goals have changed numerous times already and continue to change,” says Lynn. “When I started, my goal was to survive – now my goal is to thrive. In the beginning, I hoped to eventually provide for my family, pay my bills, take some vacations, and hopefully own a few toys. Now my goal is to continue to grow, build a new shop and own multiple locations. When these goals are met? Who knows what is in store for me. I just keep resetting my goals and achieving them.”
Tony says there are some basic phases an owner can experience.
Where are you at this moment? Use this assessment to put your plans in place now for getting to the next phase. Accept the fact that there will always be more to do – that’s a sign that you’re a great business owner!
THE “IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME” PHASE
You always wanted to own your own business, and you always were great at fixing cars. Put those two things together and owning a great repair shop is a terrific vision for the future. After all, you can fix anything. Why not open up a shop? So sure, open a shop and tell your friends and family. In your excitement, you imagine the cars will be backed up just waiting for your expertise.
THE “CAN I?” PHASE
This is when it starts to get serious. You found a space for the business and you’re just about to sign on the dotted line when it hits you – “Can I do this? Can I really put everything on the line and open my own business?”
Boldly, you move forward and start your own shop and find there is an overwhelming amount of work that needs to be done. From marketing, to production, to profit and loss, to even the signage out front; every day you can’t stop thinking about everything you need to get done. You figure that if you can just get past the first year, everything will settle down and all of these issues will be resolved. It’s THEN that you can step back and enjoy owning a business. Well, not so fast.
THE “PUSH” PHASE
You’re three years in, maybe five, to owning your shop. Things are going OK. There’s a mix of good days and not so good. You know there is more to achieve. You wanted this to be the time where you could settle into the benefits of owning a business, but you’re not there.
Getting comfortable with the issue of not finishing everything on your “list” is important, but don’t forget to celebrate the wins, for both yourself and your team.
THE “YOU’RE THERE. NOW WHAT?” PHASE
Things are going really well. You have a great crew and a great customer base, with new customers coming into the shop every week. It’s even possible to take a vacation with no big issues back at the business. You have all your shop policies and procedures set up and moving forward. The marketing plans you put in place are successful. Also, possibly the most important aspect of a successful business, the training for yourself and team, is on-going and the crew loves that you invest in their future.
ALL GOOD. CONGRATS!
Now you’re starting to think about a second shop. You’re thinking about what more can be done to propel your profits even further. You’re starting to think “what am I not doing?”
Even at this stage of owning a shop, that feeling that there is “more to do” is still there. It’s part of your thought process every day. But here’s the difference between this point of being an owner and where you were at the initial start of your shop: you’ve come to accept that there is more to do.
It’s what has pushed you over the years to get where you are, and it’s what will push you forward to open that second (or third) shop.
“I don’t worry about getting through the weeks, I’ve got staff to handle that. My time is spent on our new project and being involved in the community to help others,” says Lynn. “We are in the process of planning and building a fourteen-bay shop with a day spa attached to it. It’s something unique that allows us to provide even better service to our already pampered customers. Right now, I am spending most of my time planning for our new building and making sure we are prepared for expansion.”
Comparing this phase of his shop to when he opened, Lynn says “If someone would have told me ten years ago that I would be building a new, much larger shop, I would have never believed them. This industry is constantly changing, and it is exciting to keep up with those changes. I love being able to help people, our community and the industry. Providing my staff with great opportunities and watching them thrive in their lives is also very rewarding and important to me. Having the time to focus on success and helping others succeed is priceless.”
IS TONY HAPPY? YES. IS HE SATISFIED? NO.
“I am very happy with the state of our shop, but I’m not content,” he admits. “I’m proud of my staff and the success of this shop but none of us here are content – we all want more and that helps create a great culture.”
Lynn cautions about becoming complacent.
“I think it is great and necessary to be happy but being content can be dangerous and unrewarding. If you’re not growing and thriving, you’re dying. To be content, you are just existing, and I feel it’s important for all of us to contribute to life, not just exist in life. In my opinion, being content in business will result in going out of business.”
Lynn believes challenge is a good thing.
“Being a business owner, you need to be a leader and no successful leader will ever be content,” Lynn concludes. “We always need to prepare to win the next game. I really enjoy pushing myself and everyone around me to be better and push hard to achieve the next goal and succeed. After all, success is contagious.”
Find this original article at shopownermag.com/milestones-are-meant-to-be-passed
AAC is Giving Away It’s 4th Vehicle During The Deserving Rides Car Giveaway Program in Walworth Co.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 26, 2018 – (Delavan, WI) | AUTHOR: Tony Lynn
Committed to helping others and to making a positive impact on the Community
“Our team at Advanced Auto believes in rebuilding rides to rebuild lives,”.
After successfully running three “Deserving Rides” reliable vehicle giveaways, the Advanced Auto Clinic team is proud to be moving forward with another pro-community initiative on Saturday, December 15th starting at 10:00AM. Committed to helping others and to making a positive impact on their surroundings, everyone at Advanced Auto Clinic is thrilled to be coming together once again and collaborating on something that has been so well-received by locals in the past. AAC invites everyone to come and enjoy complimentary refreshments and snacks during the Deserving Rides Celebration!
Advanced Auto Clinic’s owner Tony Lynn said the “Deserving Rides” program is something his business got involved in back in 2016 to honor people who have contributed to the community and provide a dependable automobile to someone who really needed it. Advanced Auto Clinic takes a vehicle that a customer donates, makes it mechanically sound, and spruces it up a bit to give to a deserving person in the local area. The Deserving Rides program is based on a fairly straightforward process: local community members nominate someone from the area who is deserving of a free vehicle, which Advanced Auto Clinic then gives away.
“The program reward a Walworth county resident who consistently puts the needs of others before his or her own,” an information sheet revealed.
To date, nominees have received a Chevy Tahoe, a Subaru Outback, and a Ford Fusion.
“We refurbish a vehicle and ask people in the community to nominate a worthy person who could really use a reliable vehicle,” Lynn said. “It’s a way for us to give back, using our mechanical skills and expertise.”
AAC gave a Subaru away last December to recipient Jonathan Bradley. Jonathan has been using his new wheels to deliver food to people in need.
“Tony and his crew fixed up this beautiful Subaru Outback (which just happens to be my favorite car) to give away to someone who serves the community. Unbeknownst to me, some incredible friends of mine had nominated me and I ended up being blessed enough to win this beautiful car,” Commented Jonathon on Facebook.
Tony has since replied to Jonathan’s comment, saying that…
“The car is a token of our appreciation for people like yourself that are part of our community. Without people like you our world would not be as good as it is.”
In 2017 AAC received a donated GMC Yukon from Fred Krablean of Neenah and decided to give it away right away. Because this vehicle was an SUV, he marketed the give-away as for a deserving family. The winner of the Yukon was Patty Sonheim of Delavan. Lynn said Sonheim was the first choice of three judges and the second choice of the other two. She was the only nominee that was named on all five ballots. There were nominees from Clinton, Elkhorn, East Troy, Whitewater and Lake Geneva in addition to Delavan for the Yukon.
Lynn said Sonheim has been a single mother to her children for most of their lives and has given much to the community. She has volunteered at Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter, sat on the board of directors for Community Action, is on the Park and Recreation Committee for the City of Delavan, and has volunteered at Sophos, the youth center in Elkhorn. She has also been a youth group leader at her church in Elkhorn and gos to Chicago every year with that group to help feed and clothe the homeless.
Sonheim has gone on at least seven mission trips to help other people. Just a few weeks ago, Lynn said she heard about a family in need on People Helping People and donated $100 worth of food to the family. She also recently helped people who experienced flooding a few weeks ago in Elkhorn through Noah’s Ark Elkhorn 2017. She has adopted families during the Christmas season and when she hears about someone in need she posts it on her Facebook page to get the word out.
According to Lynn, Sonheim is often referred to as a half-way house because she often takes in nieces and nephews and other teenagers into her home when they have needed a place to stay. About six months ago, she took the children of a friend who was dying of cancer under her wing.
“I got help when I needed it, now I give back,” Sonheim was quoted in the nomination.
Lynn thanked his own technicians for donating time to recondition the Yukon, NAPA for $500 donation to pay for parts, and Recreational Upholstery in Walworth for helping to beautify the interior of the vehicle. WSLD broadcast live and gave away a pair of tickets and a limousine ride from Abracadabra Limousine to Wrigley Field to see the Zac Brown Band on Aug. 26. WSLD and Lynn also provided door prizes and Sorg’s donated brats and hot dogs. The band “Most Wanted” performed live music for the event. The food and the music were free to those who attended.
Lynn said he was born and raised in Delavan and this event was a way to give back to the community.
“We wanted to give back to someone who has given to the community,” Lynn said about the gift of an SUV to Sonheim.
On Dec. 10, 2016 AAC gave away a 2007 Ford Fusion to Bob Geist during the Deserving Rides program. When the nominations came in, a committee of five people evaluated the needs of 72 nominees before choosing the winner.
“Seven people nominated Bob Geist,” said Lynn. “ He is retired and spends his time volunteering for the Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter and area food pantries. He won last year’s Herb Kohl Helping Hands Award. So when Geist found himself without a car, not only did he suffer, but so did the many people who depended on him for help.”
Lynn and his employees volunteered their time on evenings and weekends to put the car into shape.
“We replaced a blown engine, brakes, suspension and gave it a new interior to replace the one that was pretty much shot,” said Lynn. “We completely detailed the car and made it look like new. NAPA Auto Parts donated $500 worth of equipment for the car. By the time we had finished, we had put about $6,000 worth of work and parts into it.”
AAC combined the Deserving Rides presentation with the denouement of WSLD Radio’s Santa Sleigh promotion. People from the radio station presented $3,500 worth of prizes to winner Stacy Fate. Then AAC staff handed the key to the Fusion to Geist, who was obviously overcome by the gift. The 65-year-old Geist, who retired in 2012 after working as a supervisor at the Wag-Aero shipping warehouse in Lyons, Community Action. This year he handled the fundraising for the annual Twin Oaks golf outing.
There were approximately 150 people on hand for the ceremony at Advanced Auto Clinic on December 10. One of the attendees was so impressed by the program that they donated a car for next year’s project. Lynn said he isn’t sure whether they will conduct another program in the summer, or make it an annual December event.
Pictured above: In attendance at the Dec. 10, 2016 ceremony were (from left): Brad Deschner, WSLD Radio; Advanced Auto Clinic owner Tony Lynn; Santaʼs Sleigh winner Tracy Fate; WSLDʼs Reggie Michaels and Deserving Rides winner Bob Geist. Photos by Pure Concept Media.
Advanced Auto Clinic owner Tony Lynn is always looking for ways to give back to the community and to make a difference in people’s lives, and by spearheading Deserving Rides, he has set himself apart as both a community leader and as someone who not only cares but is motivated to do good in the world.
A business that cares about the people they serve, Advanced Auto Clinic in Delavan is aware of the hardships that people face from time to time, and in recognition of hard-working people of integrity, they have gifted the Deserving Rides Program to Walworth County. Taking even a cursory survey of the Walworth area, it is clear that the people here are appreciative of all that Tony and the whole Advanced Auto Clinic family has done and continue to do.
Without the support of the community AAC wouldn’t be able to provide Deserving Rides to others. AAC is proud to be part of the team and family that make Deserving Rides a success. This is their way of giving back. Thanks again to everyone who give back and pay it forward!
Do you know a DESERVING PERSON in need of a vehicle?
Advanced Auto Clinic in Delavan knows everyone this time of year goes through some tough times, whether it’s illness, loss of a job or facing many other challenges in your lives. There are good people in our community who are just down on their luck. Here at Advanced Auto Clinic, we want to give a deserving person a reliable car!
NOMINATE A DESERVING PERSON & THEY COULD WIN A FREE VEHICLE!
hrthr
Advanced Auto Clinic is proud to be moving forward with another pro-community initiative – Deserving Rides!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 11, 2018 – (Delavan, WI) | AUTHOR: Billy McIntyre
Committed to helping others and to making a positive impact on the Community
After successfully running three “Deserving Rides” car giveaways, the Advanced Auto Clinic team is proud to be moving forward with another pro-community initiative. Committed to helping others and to making a positive impact on their surroundings, everyone at Advanced Auto Clinic is thrilled to be coming together once again and collaborating on something that has been so well-received by locals in the past. The Deserving Rides program is based on a fairly straightforward process: local community members nominate someone who is deserving of a free vehicle, which Advanced Auto Clinic then gives away. To date, nominees have received a Chevy Tahoe, a Subaru Outback, and a Ford.
Advanced Auto Clinic owner Tony Lynn is always looking for ways to give back to the community and to make a difference in people’s lives, and by spearheading Deserving Rides, he has set himself apart as both a community leader and as someone who not only cares but is motivated to do good in the world. One of the recipients of a Deserving Rides vehicle, Jonathan, has used his new wheels to deliver food to people in need.
In a note of gratitude, Jonathan said…
“Tony and his crew fixed up this beautiful Subaru Outback (which just happens to be my favorite car) to give away to someone who serves the community. Unbeknownst to me, some incredible friends of mine had nominated me and I ended up being blessed enough to win this beautiful car.”
Tony has since replied to Jonathan’s comment, saying that…
“The car is a token of our appreciation for people like yourself that are part of our community. Without people like you our world would not be as good as it is.”
A business that cares about the people they serve, Advanced Auto Clinic in Delavan is aware of the hardships that people face from time to time, and in recognition of hard-working people of integrity, they have gifted the Deserving Rides Program to Walworth County. Taking even a cursory survey of the Walworth area, it is clear that the people here are appreciative of all that Tony and the whole Advanced Auto Clinic family has done and continue to do.
Stay tuned…
Additional Deserving Rides programs will be run in the future, so it is a good idea to check back with Advanced Auto Clinic often. As long as there are people in need, deserving people, caring people, people who are trying their best, Advanced Auto Clinic will be there, ready to serve!
AAC Gives Away SUV during Deserving Rides Program
Original Article Posted by Heather Perkins / August 18, 2017 on mywalworthcounty.com
Advanced Auto Clinic in Delavan had a fundraiser Saturday for the Boys and Girls Club of Walworth County and gave away a reconditioned GMC Yukon as part of its “Deserving Rides” program.
Tony Lynn, owner of Advanced Auto clinic, said he has donated to many groups over the years and chose the Boys and Girls Club for this event because he knew Mayor Mel Niewenhuis was very involved with the club and he felt choosing that organization would be a big draw to raise money. For a one-dollar donation, people had the chance to dunk Nieuwenhuis in the dunk tank.
The $81 raised was donated to the Boys and Girls Club.
Lynn said the “Deserving Rides” program is something his business organized to honor people who have contributed to the community. The clinic takes a vehicle that a customer doesn’t want anymore, makes it mechanically sound, and spruces it up a bit to give to a deserving person.
The original goal was to give away one vehicle a year. Lynn gave a car away last December and plans to again this December, but he received another donated vehicle and decided to give it away now. Fred Krablean of Neenah donated his GMC Yukon. Lynn said the first vehicle was donated to one person because it was a car. Because this vehicle was an SUV, he marketed the give-away as for a deserving family.
The winner of the Yukon was Patty Sonheim of Delavan. Lynn said Sonheim was the first choice of three judges and the second choice of the other two. She was the only nominee that was named on all five ballots.
Lynn said people had to be nominated and the committee of five would pick someone they felt was selfless an a big contributor to their community. The car that was given away in December was given to a man who helps out a lot at Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter and his car had broken down.
There were nominees from Clinton, East Troy, Whitewater, and Lake Geneva in addition to Delavan for the Yukon.
Lynn said Sonheim has been a single mother to her children for most of their lives and has given much to the community. She has volunteered at Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter, sat on the board of directors for Community Action, is on the Park and Recreation Committee for the City of Delavan, and has volunteered at Sophos, the youth center in Elkhorn.
She has also been a youth group leader at her church in Elkhorn and gos to Chicago every year with that group to help feed and clothe the homeless.
Sonheim has gone on at least seven mission trips to help other people. Just a few weeks ago, Lynn said she heard about a family in need on People Helping People and donated $100 worth of food to the family. She also recently helped people who experienced flooding a few weeks ago in Elkhorn through Noah’s Ark Elkhorn 2017. She has adopted families during the Christmas season and when she hears about someone in need she posts it on her Facebook page to get the word out.
According to Lynn, Sonheim is often referred to as a half-way house because she often takes in nieces and nephews and other teenagers into her home when they have needed a place to stay. About six months ago, she took the children of a friend who was dying of cancer under her wing.
“I got help when I needed it, now I give back,” Sonheim was quoted in the nomination.
Lynn said Sonheim has taught her own children to give back as well. Her son is a soccer coach in Elkhorn who has purchased soccer items for players who didn’t have it. Her daughter cares for two young children whose mother can not take care of them.
Lynn said Sonheim has gone without so others could have what they need, but that has become more difficult recently has her car has over 250,000 miles on it and is no longer reliable. He said she doesn’t drive it out of town any more as a result.
Lynn thanked his own technicians for donating time to recondition the Yukon, NAPA for $500 donation to pay for parts, and Recreational Upholstery in Walworth for helping to beautify the interior of the vehicle.
WSLD broadcast live and gave away a pair of tickets and a limousine ride from Abracadabra Limousine to Wrigley Field to see the Zac Brown Band on Aug. 26. WSLD and Lynn also provided door prizes and Sorg’s donated brats and hot dogs.
The band “Most Wanted” performed live music for the event. The food and the music were free to those who attended.
Lynn said he was born and raised in Delavan and this event was a way to give back to the community.
“We wanted to give back to someone who has given to the community,” Lynn said about the gift of an SUV to Sonheim.
Bob Geist Wins Car During AAC’s Deserving Rides Vehicle Giveaway
Original Article Posted on Jan. 1 – 13, 2017 by The Beacon & Good Humour
When Advanced Auto Clinic owner Tony Lynn created the Deserving Ridges program, the idea was to provide a dependable automobile to someone who really needed it.
“The program reward a Walworth county resident who consistently puts the needs of others before his or her own,” an information sheet revealed.
“We refurbish a vehicle and ask people in the community to nominate a worthy person who could really use a reliable vehicle,” Lynn said. “It’s a way for us to give back, using our mechanical skills and expertise.”
Pictured above: In attendance at the Dec. 10, 2016 ceremony were (from left): Brad Deschner, WSLD Radio; Advanced Auto Clinic owner Tony Lynn; Santaʼs Sleigh winner Tracy Fate; WSLDʼs Reggie Michaels and Deserving Rides winner Bob Geist. Photos by Pure Concept Media.
When the nominations came in, a committee of five people evaluated the needs of 72 nominees before choosing the winner.
“Seven people nominated Bob Geist,” said Lynn. “ He is retired and spends his time volunteering for the Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter and area food pantries. He won last year’s Herb Kohl Helping Hands Award. So when Geist found himself without a car, not only did he suffer, but so did the many people who depended on him for help.”
Advanced Automotive had acquired a 2007 Ford Fusion that needed a tremendous amount of work before it fit the definition of dependable transportation. Lynn and his employees volunteered their time on evenings and weekends to put the car into shape.
“We replaced a blown engine, brakes, suspension and gave it a new interior to replace the one that was pretty much shot,” said Lynn. “We completely detailed the car and made it look like new. NAPA Auto PArts donated $500 worths of equipment for the car. By the time we had finished, we had put about $6,000 worth of work and parts into it.”
On Dec. 10, Lynn combined the Deserving Rides presentation with the denouement of WSLD RAdio’s Santa Sleigh promotion. People from the radio station presented $3,500 worth of prizes to winner Stacy Fate. Then AAC staff handed the key to the Fusion to Geist, who was obviously overcome by the gift.
The 65-year-old Geist, who retired in 2012 after working as a supervisor at the Wag-Aero shipping warehouse in Lyons, Community Action. This year he handled the fundraising for the annual Twin Oaks golf outing.
There were approximately 150 people on hand for the ceremony at Advanced Auto Clinic on December 10. One of the attendees was so impressed by the program that they donated a car for next year’s project. Lynn said he isn’t sure whether they will conduct another program in the summer, or make it an annual December event.
“Our team at Advanced Auto believes in rebuilding rides to rebuild lives,”.
WHAT IS DESERVING RIDES?
Deserving Rides is a program that was started in 2014 by automotive shop owners who were grateful for the communities in which they lived and worked in by passing down the value of giving . They find used cars, fix them up, make them safe and turn them into reliable transportation. The car is then given away for free to someone who is deserving. The program rewards community residents who consistently put the needs of others before their own. Deserving Rides is a way for us to give back to our great community!