Aaron has been an entrepreneur for more than twenty years. The following success stories illustrate his versatility and success:
AA Auto Service Center
Aaron bought AA Auto Service Center in 2000 when it was pulling in a respectable $400,000 annually in sales after 16 years of ownership by the same individual. Despite having no prior experience in the automotive repair field, Aaron nearly doubled the shop’s revenues in one year. Today, the shop generates nearly $2 million annually. Aaron made this happen. He set up a computerized system for the shop and invested in high tech operating systems. He also set up commission and incentive plans for employees, and introduced systems to produce a consistently higher level of customer service. Together, these changes resulted in excellent customer service, streamlined sales and repair processes, and a motivated team.AA Auto Service Center was named as the best auto repair shop in Western Washington for both 2011 and 2012 and in 2013 was best auto repair shop in Redmond.
Advantage Commercial Brokers
After working as a business broker for four years, Aaron started ACB in 2005. To deal with the large volume of clients and potential leads, he created an electronic filing system similar to the subsequent Cloud-based technology. He also implemented operating systems to improve customer service and improve the flow of business. Since its inception, due to the strategies Aaron utilized, ACB has completed 100 business transactions and more than 1,000 other real estate transactions. Aaron also created realistic and effective training manuals for the business and implemented lead tracking systems so that no potential business can be lost. Due to his familiarity with the local market, Aaaron is able to represent clients on more than seven business listing sites.
Crayfish Studios
With his partner, Tetsu Liew, Aaron started Crayfish Studios in order to give small business owners the ability to use social media marketing effectively to create a recognizable brand. Founded in 2012, the partners took what they had learned at Visualscope Studios to design good websites for small businesses and to market them effectively through social media, content management, and SEO. Aaron implemented package service systems to provide uniform offerings to clients and then ensured all services would be tailored to the particular business through intensive consulting. Crayfish Studios focus on graphic design, web programming, and online marketing.
Make It A Great Date
Aaron and his wife, Mayumi, started Make It A Great Date after they fell in love. They spent years looking for the right partner and thought the idea of a comprehensive matchmaking service would be a wonderful way to give others the opportunity to meet their perfect match a lot sooner. Aaron and Mayumi both became certified for the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, a widely-used personality test. Aaron helped develop algorithms for the website to better match people. The business has grown steadily during its first year and has hosted successful, local “meet up” events in Bellevue. Even clients who did not pursue dating a match further have stated that they loved the process and truly enjoyed time spent with the potential partners.
Hands On Solutions
Aaron and his partner, Oliver Wu, started Hands On Solutions in 2007 as a consulting firm that would enable small business owners to transition from owner operator into the role of absentee owner. Using a carefully designed six-month plan, you will go through every step of the transition. They created systems to help clients from A-Z, with the aim of ensuring clients will thrive after the consulting process. The plan includes manuals for every aspect of business, from marketing to understanding financials. Hands On Solutions has allowed numerous Pacific Northwest business owners to move into the role of absentee owner.
Chom Chom Rollers
If you have indoor cats or dogs, your furniture is probably covered in pet hair. The Chom Chom Roller is a new and uniquely efffective pet hair removal product that works far better than old school tape removers. Aaron’s business partner in this endeavor is a cat owner who could never find just the right product. On a trip to Singapore, he discovered the Chom Chom Roller. After seeing how effective it is at hair removal, he decided it had to be marketed in the U.S. Almost solely through word of mouth, sales of Chom Chom have grown steadily. It has been featured in pet magazines and is availabe in retail stores and on Amazon.com
Mr. Pressure Wash
This green pressure washing company was recognized as the Eastside Small Business of the Year in May. Aaron is the president of the company, which provides pressure washing for garages and lots, auto repair shops, warehouses, and other commercial spaces from Bellingham to Olympia. Aaron started MPW because he saw a huge hole in the pressure washing industry – most competitors paid little attention to the environmental effects of pressure washing. Unlike similar businesses, Aaron works with local and state authorities to ensure Mr. Pressure Wash follows the highest standards of environmental accountability. With a reputation as eco-friendly and effective, the number of local companies who contract with Mr. Pressure Wash has grown steadily and now includes Costco and Waste Management among others.
Mr. Truck Wash
Mr. Truck Wash specializes in green cleaning of trucks throughout the Puget Sound area. Aaron and his business partner started Mr. Truck Wash to offer customers a unique service – they provide mobile and environmentally sound pressure washing services to numerous local businesses. Mr. Truck Wash’s mobile ability and environmental standards are unique to the area. Despite the poor economy, Mr. Truck Wash has steadily expanded its customer base since founding.
WordApe
WordApe’s aim is to get your local business on the first page of Google’s organic search result. WordApe provides affordable and custom Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services. The company’s goal is to make your business rank highy for words that are competitive and generate traffic. More traffic means more leads and more business for you. Aaron and his partner have found unique ways to keep clients at the top of searches. If you rely on web traffic to generate a substantial portion of your leads and customers, you need to ensure that your potential customers find you first when they search online. Working with WordApe will allow you to get targeted traffic and a superior Return on Investment (ROI).
If you are facing a problem, Aaron has almost certainly faced it before. In addition to the companies described here, Aaron has also owned and operated a niche retail store, a direct mail order company, a pawn shop, several secondhand appliance stores, and multiple auto repair shops.
