Profit or Time? The Tradeoff Every Shop Owner Gets Wrong [E192]

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked FileEvery shop owner knows the feeling — the harder you work, the less time you seem to have. But what if you could have both? In this week’s Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demerast, CPA, explores the hidden link between profit and time — and why the goal isn’t working harder, but working smarter. From understanding your “hourly rate” as an owner to identifying the difference between working in versus on your business, Hunt breaks down the real math behind sustainable success.This week, Hunt Demerast dives into one of the toughest balancing acts in business: choosing between profit and free time. Drawing on real-world examples from shop owners, Hunt reveals how to calculate your true hourly worth, where to stop trading hours for dollars, and how to reclaim your freedom without losing financial ground.In this conversation, you’ll learn:(00:00) The myth of “profit versus time”(02:20) Why owner mindset still mirrors employee logic(04:45) How to measure profit in context — sales, time, and effort(07:05) The missing metric: how long it takes to make your profit(09:25) Poor people buy things, rich people buy time(11:45) How to calculate your real hourly rate(16:25) Tracking your time: the game-changer for owners(18:40) The “work smarter, not harder” equation(21:01) Working in vs. on your business(23:23) The $10 million question: what is your time really worth?Thanks to our partner PromotiveIt’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. 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 https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our Partner WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: www.paarmelis.comEmail Hunt: [email protected] Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413Download a Copy of My Books Here:Wrenches to Write-OffsYour Perfect Shop The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionDiagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.