Bec and Matt Barrett have weathered some tough times. They’ve survived two earth-altering cyclones, a mining boom and bust cycle and an internet scam, fighting on to establish Your OCD Mechanics in the heart of Mackay. Their flourishing automotive workshop is a mechanic’s dream with two large indoor wash bays and a huge shady shed with lots of air flow to beat the stifling heat of the North.

Words: Lara Wilde

LW: Where did the Barrett family come from?

MB: We grew up in the Burdekin region. Bec trained as a horticulturist while I trained as a mechanic with a focus on brands such as Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Ford. We opened a workshop in Mission Beach which worked well until we were wiped off the map by Cyclone Larry in 2006. A few years later in 2011, history repeated itself with Cyclone Yasi knocking on the door and then blowing that door away. After Cyclone Yasi demolished everything we had built, we took the hint and packed our bags, moving the family to Mackay.

LW: The move to Mackay has worked well for you?

BB: Mackay was at the height of the mining boom in 2011 when we bought our house and set up our business. After the trauma of two massive cyclones we thought we were starting afresh but then came the bust to follow the mining boom and we suffered again. The hits kept coming too, with an internet scam cleaning out our bank account to the tune of $20,000. Not to be disheartened, we struggled on and opened our new business, Your OCD Mechanics, in May of 2018.

LW: What was it like to start from scratch again?

MB: When the doors to the giant workshop first opened, it was just me on the tools and Bec in the office. A focus on the customer has been the cornerstone of OCD since it began. Both of us are committed to making sure our customers leave the shop with complete satisfaction every time. Within 12 months, our dedication to customer satisfaction saw the business thrive with the addition of five full-time staff.

LW: Was it easy to find the right staff?

BB: Finding staff to suit our business has not always been easy. At first, we advertised vacant positions on the radio but had almost no response. We have had to rely on the local community and word of mouth to find the right people. We have been very lucky to find the right staff at the right time. Being a small family-run business, we have been able to put in place many workarounds to accommodate our staff and our needs.

LW: Your business is called Your OCD Mechanics. Have you been officially diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

MB: Despite calling our business Your OCD Mechanics, we have not been formally diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but we are obsessive about finding the right solution for the customer! I am working hard to change the perception of mechanics with the general public. I do not want customers to feel that mechanics are wasting their money. At Your OCD Mechanics, the focus is on providing total transparency and honesty to the customer.

LW: What has been you main marketing strategy to grow the business?

BB: The marketing strategy hinges very much on a local reputation for quality work and customer-centric service. We advertise on local radio stations and through Google. There is a Facebook page for the business, although it is not given much attention.

By building rapport and establishing a relationship with the customer, much of the business has grown through word of mouth and referrals. Another plentiful source of referrals has been our participation in the local BNI (Business Network International) chapter, BNI Dynamic. Matt attends a networking event every Wednesday to connect with the Mackay business community. An average of 35 new jobs come from our BNI referrals each month making our membership a worthwhile investment.

LW: How has Your OCD Mechanics engaged with the local community?

MB: We actively engage with the community providing support for charities such as Life Education in the Mackay region. Our community work is not measured against our business and marketing targets, but rather is a reflection of our commitment to the region that we have chosen to call home.
We also contribute to the local community through the provision of training for our staff. Taking on school-based and mature-aged apprentices has meant that we can provide local jobs and local training in Mackay. Our current school-based apprentice will finish Year 12 this year and become a full-time staff member in 2020. Our ability to train staff and employ apprentices has been enhanced through our MTA Queensland membership.

LW: When did you first join MTA Queensland and what have been the benefits of your membership?

MB: I became a member of the MTA Queensland when I opened my first shop in Mission Beach. Since then, I have found my membership invaluable to support me and the business in the training and management of staff. The Your OCD Mechanics’ MTA Queensland membership certificate is proudly displayed in the office window. We feel that certificate gives our customers a sense of confidence that the business has integrity and will take care of them.
Membership of MTA Queensland has also given us the confidence to try new things within our business, pushing boundaries that most wouldn’t challenge. In 2018, when the business first kicked off, Bec was taking care of the office while I took care of the workshop. Very quickly, Bec was needed to step out of the office and help on the tools and she soon discovered that she really enjoyed being hands on in the workshop with the cars. With the support of MTA Queensland, I signed Bec up as an apprentice. Not many happily married couples can live together and work together but as Bec finishes her second year as an apprentice, we could not be happier!

Lara Wilde is a writer, motorsport commentator and car enthusiast from northern Queensland. Follow her automotive adventures at www.wildedrive.com

10 Oct 2019

Original source: Motor Trader Magazine (Oct 2019)