I hope everyone has had a great year so far as we head into the final stretch of 2026! 

At my shop, sales are up, but profits are down a bit. After talking with other shop owners, I’ve learned that some are experiencing similar results. It’s a good reminder of one of the many benefits of being an AASPMN member: having a network of fellow shop owners you can connect with to share experiences, exchange ideas and learn from one another.

For example, in August, I was camping near Cannon Falls and decided to reach out to Ashlan Kaplan at Cannon Auto Repair to see if I could stop by and check out her shop. We ended up talking for more than 30 minutes! She shared some great ideas, including a community event she was hosting at her shop the following day. It was a great opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and learn something new. 

The takeaway? Make the most of your AASPMN membership! If you’re traveling around Minnesota, take a look at the member directory to see if there’s a member shop nearby. Give them a call and ask if you can stop in for a visit. You never know what you might learn, what ideas you might bring back to your own shop or what valuable connections you might make along the way. 

Sometimes, the best ideas come from simply taking the time to talk with another shop owner.