Podcast
Business By The Numbers
Hosted by Hunt Demarest · EN
Hunt Demarest, CPA has consistently provided his financial business acumen to help move the industry toward greater heights of success and profitability. Hunt was recently referred to as a "terrific advocate of the aftermarket."
He is the author of the book, Your Perfect Shop: How to Start, Run & Sell a Profitable Shop. In this book, he compiled some of the best practices for auto repair shop owners, whether they are just starting or have been in the business for years.
Hunt's podcast will provide a core understanding of the financial aspects of running an auto repair shop.
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
2025 Wrap-Up: Interest Rates, ERTC, Overtime, and What Shop Owners Need to Know for 2026 [E204]
Jan 800:32:48Tap to summarizeThanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked FileAre you making end-of-year tax decisions that truly save you money, or just creating future headaches?What if the moves you think are smart tax strategies are quietly costing you more than they save?In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, walks shop owners through the most important end-of-year financial and tax considerations — and the costly misconceptions that show up every December.Hunt breaks down which deductions actually move the needle, why retirement contributions can generate cash instead of draining it, and how poor inventory, receivables, and payroll timing can inflate your tax bill without you realizing it.Ideal for auto repair shop owners, managers, and operators who want a clear, realistic financial outlook for 2026 — without hype, political spin, or costly misconceptions.What you’ll discover…(2:23) What the BOI report was, why it disappeared, and why you can forget about it(04:00) How interest rates actually moved from 2023–2025 and what shop owners are really seeing(9:40) Why slowing inflation doesn’t mean prices are coming down(13:30) The affordability problem facing consumers — and how it affects your customers(16:30) Stock market realities, AI concentration, and what precious metals signal(21:45) The truth about ERTC payments, audits, and why “fast-track” offers are scams(24:50) No tax on tips: what changed, what didn’t, and who actually qualifies(27:45) No tax on overtime — what “overtime premium” really means for employees(29:50) What employers should share with their teams about overtime reportingThanks 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: podcast@paarmelis.comText 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.
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Health Insurance Shakeup for 2026: ACA Subsidies, Association Plans, and the HRA Strategy Shop Owners Need to Know [E203]
Jan 100:27:31Tap to summarizeThanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked FileHealth insurance premiums keep climbing — but 2026 could bring the biggest shakeup in years.In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, breaks down what’s happening in the small-business health insurance landscape after recent ACA subsidy changes — and why a new Republican-backed House bill could change how shop owners buy coverage and support their teams.Hunt explains the economics behind rising premiums, who’s actually affected by the loss of ACA subsidies, and why shop owners may see new opportunities if association health plans and expanded health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) become available.Whether you already offer health insurance or you’re considering it in 2026, this episode will help you understand what’s real, what’s political, and what’s worth watching.Ideal for shop owners and managers who want clarity on benefits costs, recruiting strategy, and what changes may be coming in the next open enrollment cycle.What you’ll discover…(02:00) The current state of small business health insurance — and why premiums keep rising 10–20% a year(05:40) How the ACA reshaped the market(06:30) What the new House bill is, why it’s being debated now, and the January 31 deadline looming in the background(08:00) Who the loss of ACA subsidies impacts most — and why many shops may see little direct effect(16:10) Association health plans: how small businesses could join buying groups like big employers (and why that could lower premiums)(19:25) Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs): the tax advantage shop owners may finally be able to use more flexibly(23:45) What to do now: when it’s smart to wait, when it’s not, and why open enrollment timing matters(25:00) The future of health insurance for small businessesThanks 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: podcast@paarmelis.comText 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.
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Does Training Actually Pay Off? What Shop Owners Get Wrong About Technician Development [E202]
Dec 2500:30:42Tap to summarizeThanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked FileTraining might be the most misunderstood investment in the auto-repair industry — and one of the most expensive when done wrong.In this week’s episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, sits down with David Boyes, President of Today’s Class, to unpack why so many training programs fail, how to actually measure technician growth, and what modern training looks like in the era of mobile learning, data tracking, and personalized development paths.From eliminating wasted classroom hours to using data-backed insights to assign work more intelligently, this episode reveals what separates shops that get real ROI from training… from those burning thousands on ineffective education.Whether you’re trying to develop apprentices, sharpen your A-techs, or build a learning culture that your entire team buys into, this episode gives you the roadmap.This episode is a must for shop owners, service advisors, training managers, and anyone responsible for technician development or operational performance.What you’ll discover…(03:00) The evolution of training methods (05:08) The false assumption shop owners make when they “check the box” by sending someone to class(06:00) Why broad, general classes often fail and how personalization changes everything(09:00) How data reveals technician strengths, weaknesses, and readiness for advanced courses(12:44) What “daily, 3–5 minute micro-training” looks like and why it works(17:15) The “soft ROI” shops miss: engagement, retention, and knowledge-sharing culture(20:00) Why your techs “don’t want training” and what shop owners are doing wrong(24:05) Should shops pay techs for training? Or position it as part of the job?(26:00) How data can reshape dispatching and technician workload(27:25) Can older techs adapt to micro-learning and app-based training?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: podcast@paarmelis.comText 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.
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End-of-Year Tax Traps: The Deductions, Deadlines & Mistakes That Cost Shop Owners Thousands [E201]
Dec 1800:30:23Tap to summarizeThanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked FileAre you leaving money on the table before the tax year closes?In this end-of-year episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, walks through the essential tax moves shop owners must make before December 31st and the costly assumptions that lead many to overpay the IRS.From retirement contributions and HSA hacks to equipment purchases, inventory write-downs, and why your accounts receivable might be lying to you, Hunt explains how small oversights can snowball into massive tax bills. More importantly, he shows you exactly what to check, adjust, and document now to ensure you only pay what you owe and not a dollar more.If you’ve ever wondered whether to buy equipment before year-end, how to handle unpaid invoices, whether your payroll timing affects deductions, or how to set yourself up for a smoother tax season, this episode gives you the playbook.Ideal for shop owners, bookkeepers, and managers who want to tighten their financials, avoid costly mistakes, and maximize deductions before the year closes.What you’ll discover…(02:10) The repetitive tax mistakes and how to avoid them(03:45) Why retirement contributions are Hunt’s “favorite deduction.”(06:35) How much you can contribute to SIMPLE IRAs and 401(k)s before Dec. 31(09:25) Why Roth contributions don’t reduce your taxes (and when to use them)(10:30) The HSA contribution rules and how they can reimburse old medical bills(14:05) HSA vs. FSA: The real difference and how not to lose your money(16:10) The truth about deducting equipment — cash vs. financing vs. leasing(18:30) Major building improvements you can now deduct in year one(19:40) How to structure employee gifts, bonuses, and reimbursements(22:30) Four big things to keep an eye on to ensure maximum savings(25:16) Accounts payable: how missing December bills inflate your taxes(28:00) The most overlooked deduction in high-interest years(29:00) The fastest way to speed up your tax return (and avoid April chaos)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: podcast@paarmelis.comText 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.
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The Road to 200: How to Double Your Sales, Profit, and Net Income [E200]
Dec 1100:35:54Tap to summarizeThanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked FileWhat would it take to double your shop’s success? I.e., 200% of your current sales, gross profit, and net profit?In this special 200th episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA at Paar Melis & Associates, breaks down the math, mindset, and milestones behind scaling your shop’s numbers without burning out your team or outgrowing your facility too soon.From practical examples to real-world projections, Hunt shows you how to build a realistic roadmap for growth. Whether it’s raising your labor rate, boosting productivity, or understanding how small compounding changes translate to massive results, you’ll see that doubling your profit doesn’t always mean doubling your workload.By the end, you’ll know how to forecast, plan, and execute your own “Road to 200” — step by step.Ideal for shop owners and managers who are ready to scale their business with data-driven, sustainable growth strategies. What you’ll discover…(02:30) The difference between doubling your numbers and a “200% increase.” (04:20) Increase your prices or increase your production?(06:15) What happens when you try to double sales purely through pricing?(07:15) How to plan realistic, incremental labor rate increases year over year(15:25) When your shop’s size, staffing, and space become limiting factors in growth(18:15) The hidden compounding effect between pricing and productivity(19:10) Why gross profit is more important than sales (and how to double it)(21:30) How doubling sales can more than double your profit if your team is efficient(28:45) Why cutting expenses rarely doubles profit (and what to do instead)(34:00) The compounding math behind raising prices and productivity togetherThanks 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: podcast@paarmelis.comText 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.
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Stop Paying Taxes You Don’t Owe: The Tax-Free Way to Reward Your Team [E199]
Dec 400:16:22Tap to summarizeThanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked FileAre you rewarding your team, or paying extra taxes to do it? Could a few words on your payroll save you thousands a year?In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar, Melis & Associates, explains why the difference between an allowance and a reimbursement could save both you and your employees thousands of dollars a year.From cars and cell phones to tool truck payments, Hunt breaks down how changing just a few words on your payroll setup can turn a taxable perk into a tax-free benefit. Through clear examples and real-shop math, he reveals how to keep Uncle Sam’s cut out of your employee bonuses and put that money back where it belongs — in your business.If you’ve ever handed out end-of-year bonuses, paid mileage, or covered employee phone bills, this episode will show you a smarter, legally compliant way to do it.Shop owners, service advisors, and bookkeepers who want to reward staff without paying unnecessary payroll taxes.What you’ll discover…(02:00) How a small change in wording saves 25–30% in taxes(04:10) Why giving an “auto allowance” is the same as providing a raise (07:10) Cellphone allowance insights(11:00) Tools allowance and reimbursement insights(11:40) How a $200 tool payment becomes $150 after taxes, and how to make it a full $200 with one form(14:10) What the IRS calls “fringe benefits” and how to use them responsibly to benefit both sides(14:30) Turning bonuses into reimbursements so your team keeps 100% of their moneyThanks 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: podcast@paarmelis.comText 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.
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