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September 6, 2002/Elul 29 5762, Vol. 55, No. 1
Brothers master brake business
JESSICA BARBER
Editorial Assistant
Two Israeli immigrants and brothers sped into American small business success by putting on the brakes. That is, putting on the brakes for their customers at Brake Masters.
Jerusalem emigrants Eric and Shalom Laytin own and operate Brake Masters Systems, Inc., a rapidly growing network of more than 70 one-hour auto care centers in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Nebraska, Utah and Texas.
"The harder you work, the luckier you get," says Eric Laytin. "We always knew that you have to be a hard worker, tenacious and driven."
The Tucson-based chain employs about 300 people and has 32 Arizona locations. Brake Masters recently opened in Mesa and Surprise and plans are underway for additional locations in Peoria and Goodyear. The Laytins hope to have 20 Phoenix-area locations by the end of the year.
Shalom Laytin, who handles public relations and customer service duties, partially attributes the chain's success to their customer convenience policies.
He compares Brake Masters' no-hassle atmosphere to the fast food industry.
"We have a menu board, you know what you're going to get and we estimate the time its going to take," he says. "Customers can get service right on the spot without an appointment and get a good value."
Brake Masters was born in a two-bay gas station in Tucson in 1983, following the brothers' separate immigrations to the United States. In the beginning, Eric Laytin ran the business by himself.
"I was a one-man band when I started out," he says. "I would have to leave sometimes ... and I would ask customers to watch the store."
Eric Laytin, who had a natural inclination toward mechanics, gained automotive training during his time in the Israeli army. However, it was not long until the business grew too large for one person to handle.
Shalom Laytin, who was working as a developer in Los Angeles, was not originally interested in his brother's brake shop.
"I didn't like auto mechanics at all," he says. "I didn't really like (Tucson) too much either. It was too quiet for me, coming out of Los Angeles."
Over time and the course of several brotherly visits, Shalom became more active in the business, including showcasing his talent for customer relations.
"We each have our own talent, but both of us have done everything," says Shalom Laytin. "By the time I learned how to change brakes as fast as I could, Eric was dealing with customers."
Although the union was slow, Eric Laytin believes going into business with his brother was inevitable.
"It's a natural thing between me and Shalom," he says. "We grew up together, he's my brother and I wanted him to come join me."
In addition to becoming successful businessmen, the brothers contribute to the Jewish and secular communities around them. On their list are Chabad-Lubavitch, YMCA summer camps and various organizations in Israel. In addition, the Laytins helped to purchase a building in Albuquerque, N.M., to house the city's only Orthodox synagogue.
"Wherever we go, we try to help Jewish organizations or others that need it," says Eric Laytin.
Shalom and Eric Laytin reside in Tucson with their wives, Julie and Sarah. Shalom has four children, Sam, 8; and triplets, David, Yeal and Yaakov, 4. Eric has three children, Matan, 7; and twins, Nadav and Elylia, 4. Both families are members of Young Israel.
The Laytins are pleased with the success and opportunity America has afforded them and their families.
"The dream was always America (for me)," says Shalom Laytin. "It took a lot of hard work, a lot of vision and respect for other people, but the opportunities are here."
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