Dealer Featured on Fox Business

By James Chevrette

Nick Paulson, owner of Audio Garage in North Dakota, was recently featured on Fox Business explaining what a car audio shop does and how he got into the car audio business.

He was interviewed as part of small business month (in May) in a quick 2 minute clip that basically allowed him to explain what an automotive restyling shop does. Paulson was also asked if he uses AI in his shop. He explained that in a business where employees are hard to come by, AI can be used to operate more efficiently.

We called on Paulson after the interview. He told us one use for AI is interfacing with the company’s aging point of sale system for real time inventory. While the manufacturer may have discontinued support for the old system, AI is able to connect the old data with the new software, which equates to substantial cost savings for the company.

Paulson is no stranger to the limelight. You might remember him from an article we wrote last year about his going to Congress to discuss the effects of tariffs on small business on behalf of Meta and the 12-volt industry.

To continue the small business fight, Paulson returned to Capitol Hill in late April, marking his fourth trip. This time his message was on how tariffs are affecting a shop with seven employees. Employee health insurance costs, daily expenses, and customer pricing are all rising together.

“It’s not just a blanket cost of doing business,” Paulson said. “It’s touching every part of our operation.”

Paulson’s shop has already raised prices to cover expenses driven by tariffs, and customers are beginning to push back. He noted there is a limit to what people will pay for installation and services, and that limit is getting closer.

This year’s visit included a meeting with Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak and two of her staff, along with Paulson’s first meeting with both of North Dakota’s senators and their full teams, which Paulson took as a positive sign. He said progress on tariff relief for 12-volt business owners remains slow but is moving forward.

Paulson shared meeting time with more than thirty other constituents during a single day and worked within windows ranging from 7 to 22 minutes to make his case. He said the limited time leaves no room for frustration with the administration, and that lawmakers respond to clearly defined problems and proposed solutions rather than vague complaints.

“You can’t walk in there and just be frustrated,” he said. “You have to be specific and back it up with your own data.”