For Brian Monroe, owner of Monroe Brothers Paint & Body Shop Inc. in Carthage, Texas, being named the runner-up for the FenderBender Award is a true honor.
“I've read the magazines for several years now,” he says, “and I've watched other people's success. Just knowing that a lot of them started from humble beginnings has always impressed me. To be chosen to be interviewed among them is a great honor.”
Monroe’s own beginnings were certainly humble—he started working on cars in his father’s one-bay hobby shop in 1984 when he was just 17 years old. But what started as a side job soon became much more…and has grown into something he never could have imagined.
“Because of Brian’s kindness, fairness, and people skills, what began as side work grew to the point it quickly become full-time,” says Monroe’s brother and business partner Brandon Monroe. “Even though I was very young and most certainly in the way, he always let me come around. I would not be the man I am today without the love and generosity of my brother.”
And the feeling is very mutual.
Brian credits Brandon with having “bigger dreams” than he did, and helping him build Monroe Brothers into what it is today.
“Brandon joined me in 2004 and we’ve been partners ever since,” he says. “We had two buildings and several employees at that point, but he had bigger dreams than I did. In a way, he could see things that I couldn't.”
The two have since expanded the business into six buildings that total 30,000 square feet and employ between 20 and 30 people at any given time. Alongside collision repair, Monroe Brothers also does their own calibrations, alignments, and glass repair through two highly successful sister companies. They’ve won numerous awards for their services, including many “best of” community recognitions.
In the last 15 years, sales have increased an impressive 600 percent.
Much of the growth, says Monroe, was born of necessity. But when you speak to him, it’s clear that his success is also a direct result of the way he treats other people. He’s a kind, generous man beloved by his family and customers alike. When asked what was most important to him in business, he didn’t hesitate—“it’s building lasting relationships with customers.”
“We are a small town, and I know so many of the people that live here. We want to build meaningful relationships that go beyond a business relationship.”
His commitment to the community extends beyond work, too—he’s an active member of his church and Lions Club, and volunteers often for local events.
“This business has grown over the years because of Brian’s dedication to doing the best job possible and treating his customers like he appreciates them,” says Monroe’s sister-in-law and colleague Stephanie Monroe. “Monroe Brothers has beyond loyal customers and we are gaining new ones every day. I have seen him take out of his own pocket for family, for customers, for his employees. He makes this crazy hectic industry a joy to be around and work in.”
“My father shows every person who walks through the door a smile and kind welcome…when they leave they feel like a friend,” agrees Monroe’s oldest son Brad Monroe. “He always makes time for people. He’s made a lot of friends and helped a lot of people over the years.”
Furthermore, Brad says, his father has always shown him what it means to be a leader and hard worker by example.
“As a business owner, he often humbles himself and does jobs nobody wants to do,” he continued. “My father would say, ‘A good leader is not only able but willing to do some work themselves.’ He would stay late, show up early, work through lunch, and work all night some nights—anything to get the car back to its owner, and never short on quality. He’s told me ‘Good work that takes too long will lose customers, and fast work that’s not good will lose them, too. Success is good, quality work done fast.’”
A man of faith, Monroe is quick to credit his success to God’s provision, acknowledging that he never could have achieved what he has on his own. “And I’ve had some really good people over the years, too,” he added, many of whom he or his senior techs have trained themselves.
“He is a tremendous teacher and because of that we have been able to bring many people into our business that have never been in the industry before,” said Stephanie. “He has always led us to work as a team and we pride ourselves on the family of employees we have become.”
It’s been nearly 40 years now since Monroe first started his business, but he still loves working on cars as much as he did that first day. The cars, and the ever-changing nature of the industry, keep him excited to go to work every day.
“I really have enjoyed this business. I've changed roles several times. I've been the estimator, I've been the painter, I've been the body guy, I've been the glass guy. And that's what really keeps it interesting for me, is to change things up every once in a while, let somebody else have my role.”
If he could give other shop owners just one piece of advice, it’d be to never give up. Success, says Monroe, requires perseverance.
“Don’t give up when it gets rough. I know that over the years, I’ve thrown my hands up several times. But I’ve never given up.”
Monroe acknowledges that the industry has faced unprecedented challenges recently between technician shortages and reimbursement difficulties…but he truly believes there’s profit to be had for those who persevere.
“I think there's a prize to be won in the end, and we will actually one day make our businesses even more lucrative than they are right now. And it all begins with training and keeping great technicians.”
Invest in your business and employees, treat your customers like family, and always look for ways to improve, grow, and exceed expectations—that’s the Monroe Brothers’ way!
