When Chris Hohnke was poised to buy a Snap-on Tools retail business back in August 1994 he knew it was the right choice.

A qualified tradesman, Chris had been in sales, owned an insurance business, and sold real estate. He was ready to make a fresh start; so when an opportunity came up in Newcastle to buy into the iconic tools business, he dived in.

“And here I am, 31 years later!” he says.

Snap-on delivers consistency, and innovation

When Chris joined Snap-on he harnessed the respected brand name, the Snap-on systems, and the company’s enduring focus on innovation, and worked hard to build up a strong and long-lasting customer base. 

Chris has served generations of customers, and is now providing tools for the grandchildren of small business owners and dealers he first dealt with back in the day.

“I’ve been in the same place, at the same time, seeing the same people for 30 years!” he says.

Consistency has been the bedrock of Chris’s three-decade-long career. 

“The business plan from 1920, when Snap-on started, is basically the same. You see customers every week, maintain a relationship, sell them the tools, take weekly repayments. The regular visits provide opportunities to fix things, and to sell more product in the account,” he says.

“I’m a big believer in finding that one person with influence at each workshop. If you get that person on side, you can really do well in this business,” Chris says.

At Snap-on, customer service elevates the retail experience beyond the transactional.

“It really is a relationship business, and that’s been life-changing for me,” Chris says. 

And he’s found a creative way to strengthen those bonds.

“I’ve been a photographer all my life, and every day I take portraits of my clients in black and white with my Leica camera,” Chris reveals.

Snap-on enables Chris to leave the dream life

For Chris, it wasn’t just working with a reputable, trusted brand with robust support systems that was important. Working not just for himself, but by himself, was essential. 

“I’m a friendly and sociable person but I love working by myself. I like to be responsible for myself, and if something goes wrong, the buck stops with me,” he says.

With the Snap-on model, Chris has matched the desired independence and accountability with an all-important work-life balance.

“Now I have built up a reputation and a solid business through hard work and following the Snap-on system, I can maximise my spare time. I start in the truck at 7am and I’m home by 3.30pm,” he says. “Surfing has been a very important part of my life and now I’m able to enjoy the waves,” he adds.

Crafting the perfect worklife balance has taken time, and it’s come from hard work and good financial control, he points out. He highlights the importance of planning ahead and being mindful of money management.

“Managing your finance and cashflow, so you are ready to pay your bills and taxes, is important. But so is investing in the business,” he says.

“If you build up a good customer base, you do the right thing, you can build a secure business with Snap-on,” he says.