Wilson’s Auto’s, Colchester
Wilson's Auto's
A Family Dream Turned Reality with Expert Guidance In January 2025, Charlie and Toni Wilson officially opened Wilson’s Auto’s in Colchester, a family-oriented garage dedicated to providing honest, high-quality vehicle servicing and repairs. Their journey from concept to reality was not a straightforward one, but with determination, family effort, and the invaluable support of business advisor Robert Laurie, through the North Essex Economic Boards fully funded business support programme, their dream business took off successfully.
The Wilson Family Business
Charlie Wilson has been a mechanic since the age of 15, following in the footsteps of his father and great-grandfather. Over the years, he trained extensively in different areas of mechanics, including mobile and fleet services. His career took him as far as South Africa, where he worked on mine sites and trained locals in vehicle maintenance. However, his dream was always to return to the UK and open his own garage.
The opportunity to do so finally arrived mid-2024, when Charlie decided to come home and take the leap into business ownership. Alongside his wife, Toni, who manages the office, and their son, who is building their website and handles IT, Wilson’s Auto’s truly became a family-run business, offering servicing and repairs for both personal and commercial vehicles.
The Challenges of Starting a Business
Although passionate and skilled in mechanics, the Wilsons had never set up a business before and had no idea where to start. Initially, they considered purchasing an existing garage, but navigating financial options proved complicated. Traditional business loans were unsuitable, and personal loans were not feasible without security.
Searching for guidance, Toni came across a North Essex business support programme, fully funded by the North Essex Economic Board (NEEB) and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group. Through this programme, she was connected with business advisor Robert Laurie, whose expertise became instrumental in their startup journey.
The North Essex Economic Board is a partnership of local authorities in Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester, Maldon, Tendring and Essex County Council who have come together to provide a joint up approach and collective opportunities for the residents and business of North Essex. The business support programme, fully funded by NEEB provides tailored advice, access to finance and training for new and established businesses across the region.
Robert’s Support and Business Guidance
From the outset, Robert provided crucial advice that saved the Wilsons from making costly mistakes. Initially considering the purchase of an existing garage, they soon realised, through Robert’s connections with accountants and advisors, that starting from scratch was a far better and more manageable option.
“Robert was an absolute lifesaver! He connected us with the right people and helped us make informed decisions. Without his guidance, we could have gone down a much more challenging path,” said Toni.
Robert also helped them navigate the funding process. They secured a £19,000 Start Up Loan, which allowed them to purchase essential equipment, including ramps, air conditioning machines, tyre machines, and wheel balancing tools. This financial support provided a crucial buffer, reducing personal financial strain and ensuring a strong start for their business.
“Taking out the Start Up Loan really took some of our stress out of starting up. It provided the capital for us to purchase all the necessary equipment we needed, as well as a buffer for those first few months as we were building our client base.”
Wilson's Auto's Successful Launch and Growing Demand
Since opening its doors, Wilson’s Auto’s has been thriving. The business has been fully booked for weeks in advance, largely due to word-of-mouth recommendations and a strong presence on social media. While they do not offer MOTs themselves, they have built strong partnerships with other local garages, ensuring customers receive a full range of services at competitive rates.
Their unique approach to customer service has also played a role in their success. “We pride ourselves on honesty, transparency, and making our customers feel welcome. That includes offering them tea and biscuits while they wait!”
The Future: Growth and Apprenticeships
Looking ahead, Wilson’s Auto’s aims to expand. Their current premises has provided the perfect start, but they hope to move into a larger unit as demand grows. They also plan to recruit new team members within the next 12 months, including apprentices, as they are passionate about introducing young people to the trade.
When the time comes to expand, the Wilsons are certain they will turn to Robert once again for guidance. “The support that Robert provided was so thorough and helpful, we’ll definitely reach out for more advice when we’re ready to grow.”
With passion, family dedication, and the right business support, Wilson’s Auto’s has become a thriving local business. Their journey showcases how invaluable expert advice and financial support can be when starting from scratch. Thanks to Robert Laurie from Let’s Do Business Group and NEEB’s business support programme, Charlie and Toni have built a successful and growing business that is set to serve their community for years to come.
Follow Wilson’s Autos on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039950181530