Hello, My name is Les Schmidt. I work with auto repair owners, managers and others through Les Schmidt Coaching to increase profits, reduce stress, and have more time to enjoy their ideal lifestyle.
Les's Bio: After owning and managing his own auto body shop in Philadelphia, in August 1985 Les moved to Central Pennsylvania to start over. He accepted a position in the body shop of a Nissan dealership. Six months later he was promoted to manager, and he led his department to record profits for three years.
In the twenty years since then, Les has managed 4 dealership body shops to a high level of success. He currently manages a Certified Goodwrench Collision Center in the largest Chevrolet dealership in Central Pennsylvania. He has been awarded the GM Mark of Excellence honors in 2003 through 2006.
Les attributes much of his success to his people and communication skills, and that inspired him to create a home study course, “Automotive Customer Care Profit Secrets” to help raise the level of service in the automotive industry. Next he adapted a version of the course for a more general audience and published it in paperback, titled “So, You’re In The People Business” and made it available for anyone who can afford the price of a fast-food meal.
Les’s first short story received excellent reviews from several editors, and in July, 2001 Fur-Fish-Game magazine purchased and published “Son Of A Buck Ridge.” That success encouraged Les to continue and ramp up his study of writing and publishing that included reading dozens of books, attending numerous workshops and seminars, and completing several courses to support his love of writing and publishing.
Les has been written about and quoted in newspapers and industry publications, interviewed as an auto-repair expert on several local TV stations, and appeared as an expert witness in a homicide trial.
Les loves to travel and research, and to share what he experiences and learns through writing and speaking.
If you have a question for Les, contact him at: les@lesschmidt.com