The Small Shop That Suddenly Started Running Like a Powerhouse

Overview

GS Solutions, founded by Edgar Hernández and his wife, Sara, is a family-owned auto repair shop in Houston, Texas. Edgar, formally trained as a mechanic, had always dreamed of running his own business. In 2024, he turned that dream into reality by opening GS Solutions — a name inspired by his children.

Starting as a one-person shop, Edgar handled every repair himself while Sara managed paperwork. But as customer demand grew, they quickly realized that handwritten notes, paper estimates, and manual QuickBooks entries weren’t sustainable. They needed a smarter system to look professional, save time, and prepare for growth. That’s when they turned to Shopmonkey.

"Shopmonkey gave me the tools to feel like a real business owner — not just a mechanic. It makes me look professional and saves me time every day.”

The Challenge

Manual processes and growing pains

When Edgar first opened GS Solutions, everything was tracked by memory or written in a notebook. Estimates took too long, invoices were error-prone, and managing inventory or part orders was stressful. Customers would sometimes question repairs, and without photos or inspection records, Edgar had little proof to show.

“We were spending time on paperwork instead of fixing cars. Customers needed transparency, and we needed organization.”
— Sara, Co-owner

The Solution

From paper to platform: Shopmonkey simplified everything

As a former technician who had seen Shopmonkey at work in another shop, Edgar knew the value it could bring. When he and Sara onboarded, the difference was immediate:

• Photo inspections and reports: Customers now receive before-and-after photos with every repair, building trust and avoiding disputes.

• Professional invoicing: Estimates and bills are clear, fast, and digital — no more handwritten notes.

• Simplified communication: Text updates keep customers informed without endless phone calls.

• Inventory and parts management: Orders and costs are tracked in one place, saving valuable time.

• Spanish-language support: Onboarding and customer communication in Spanish gave Edgar and his clients confidence.

“Shopmonkey helped us go from feeling like a small shop to running like a professional business.”

The Results

Since adopting Shopmonkey, GS Solutions has experienced key improvements:

• Customer trust and referrals
  Clear inspections and photos reassure customers, encouraging them to recommend GS Solutions to friends and family.

• Time saved on every repair
  Instead of handwriting notes, Edgar uses Shopmonkey’s tools to manage jobs faster — freeing up more time to take on additional vehicles.

• Better organization, less stress
  With all repairs, parts, and invoices in one place, Edgar and Sara feel in control of their growing business.

• A foundation for growth
  While still a small shop, GS Solutions is now positioned to hire more mechanics and expand services confidently.

Why It Matters

Small businesses often believe shop management software is “only for big companies.” GS Solutions proves otherwise. Shopmonkey gave Edgar and Sara the professionalism, efficiency, and peace of mind they needed to serve customers better and set the stage for future growth.

“Shopmonkey isn’t just for big shops. It works for small ones like mine too — and it’s helping me grow.”

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