Eric Meyer is the owner of Blue Collar Muscle Rods & Custom, LLC a one-stop-shop for custom car building and restoration services located in East Leroy, Michigan.

The business opened in early 2021 and already has a one year waiting list of vehicles to be serviced. They’ve even seen clients coming from as far as Oklahoma to have their cars restored!

Eric came to the Michigan SBDC with a dream of opening his vehicle restoration business in a small garage in the back of his property in East Leroy. The first discussion was regarding obtaining local approval for having a business operation of this type on a residential property. Additionally, funding needed to be obtained to build what has become a 20,000 sq. ft state of the art facility. The shop is divided in half, one side for clean assembly work and the other side for welding, fabrication and body repair.

“With big plans to open a custom car and restoration shop, Tamara at the SBDC laid out the perfect roadmap to follow and asked the tough questions that needed to be answered before lenders would consider my startup business,” said Owner Eric Meyer. “After months of research and preparation, the business plan was completed and then presented to the lenders.  One lender recognized the potential and after 12 months of construction, the shop opened on January 4, 2021. Now, we have a shop full of cars and a growing waiting list. I could have never done it without the knowledge and guidance of the Michigan SBDC.”

After some delays due to COVID-19, the business finally opened its doors in February 2021. Now, just three months later, Eric has a one year waiting list of cars interested in having services done. There are currently 21 vehicles being worked on.

Learn more about Blue Collar Muscle Rods & Custom by following them on Facebook.

Published September 26, 2021