Walter Dawydiak is the founder and president of Cars Dawydiak, a luxury, exotic, and collector automobile dealership, restoration facility, and collision repair business based in Northern California. Since establishing the company in 1982, he has built it into a respected name among collectors, enthusiasts, and owners seeking specialized expertise in the sale, restoration, and repair of high-end European automobiles.
Over the course of more than four decades, Walter has worked with some of the world’s most recognized automotive brands, including Porsche, Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati, Lamborghini, Jaguar, and Land Rover. Cars Dawydiak has become particularly well known for vintage Porsche restoration, exotic collision repair, and its commitment to preserving the originality and long-term value of collector vehicles. The company has earned a reputation for meticulous attention to detail and a philosophy that every vehicle should be repaired or restored to the highest possible standard.
In addition to leading Cars Dawydiak, Walter oversees Charles Henry Company, a San Francisco collision repair business with roots dating back to 1922, and Car Storage Marin, a specialized facility serving owners of collector, luxury, and specialty vehicles. Together, these businesses reflect decades of experience across multiple segments of the automotive industry and a deep understanding of the needs of enthusiasts, collectors, and vehicle owners.
Walter is also passionate about helping people succeed. Throughout his career, he has supported employees through difficult life situations, encouraged young people to pursue careers in the skilled trades, and worked to create opportunities for others whenever possible. He is an active supporter of Brady Therapeutic Riding, the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and One More Tree, and believes strongly in giving back to the community.
Outside of work, Walter enjoys mountain biking, road cycling, trail running, and training large-breed dogs. He has a particular passion for vintage Porsche models, including the Porsche 356 and long hood 911, as well as pre-E-Type Jaguars and British military Land Rovers. Through his writing and interviews, he shares insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, skilled trades, automotive history, and the lessons learned from building businesses over the long term.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually start my day around 5:30 a.m. and spend the first part of the morning working through my to-do list before the day gets busy. From about 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., I’m handling texts, calls, and communication with employees, customers, and vendors, followed by a workout that helps me stay focused and energized. By 10:30 a.m., I’m in the office, where I spend the rest of the day working on the businesses, solving problems, and keeping projects moving forward.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I usually start with a simple observation or idea and then begin exploring where it could lead. From there, I look at it from different angles, ask how it might be useful, and consider the various ways it could be applied. The more I expand on the possibilities, the easier it becomes to identify which ideas are worth pursuing and which ones are not.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the growing interest in classic cars as part of a lifestyle rather than simply a means of transportation. More people are being drawn to the social side of the hobby through events like Cars and Coffee, where enthusiasts can share experiences, learn from one another, and build friendships around a common passion. I also think it reflects a broader appreciation for things that feel more tactile and authentic, whether that’s classic cars, vinyl records, or other experiences that connect people to craftsmanship and nostalgia in a hands-on way.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me be productive is my ability to focus deeply on a task once I get started. I tend to become so absorbed in solving a problem or working through an idea that I lose track of time, which allows me to make significant progress without distractions. While that doesn’t work for every situation, it has helped me tackle complex projects and stay focused on what matters most.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to seek professional advice sooner and more often. A lot of mistakes come from simply not knowing what you don’t know, and there are people who have already solved many of the problems you’re trying to figure out on your own. Experience is a great teacher, but learning from the experience of others can save a tremendous amount of time, money, and frustration.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I believe government works best when people with different perspectives are willing to work together. Most of the progress I’ve seen in business and in life has come from collaboration rather than one side getting everything it wants. While compromise can be frustrating, I think the best long-term solutions are often found when different viewpoints are represented and both sides have a seat at the table.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
One thing I try to do consistently is recognize people when they do something well. A sincere compliment or a simple acknowledgment of a job done right can have a bigger impact than most people realize. Whether it’s an employee, customer, friend, or family member, taking the time to make someone feel appreciated helps build stronger relationships and creates a more positive environment for everyone involved.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I start to feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I step away for a moment and give myself a chance to reset. Then I go back to my desk, review my to-do list, and focus on accomplishing one task at a time. I’ve found that taking action on something productive, even if it’s small, helps restore momentum and brings clarity to the bigger picture.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has helped me throughout my career is simple persistence. No matter how many setbacks, mistakes, or unexpected challenges you face, you have to be willing to get up one more time than you get knocked down. Building a business over the long term requires resilience, and I’ve found that determination and consistency often matter more than having all the right answers from the beginning. If you stay committed and keep moving forward, opportunities eventually follow.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One mistake I made early on was keeping people in positions they weren’t truly qualified for, especially in financial and administrative roles. In some cases, I wanted to give someone a chance or hoped they would grow into the position, but I learned that certain responsibilities require the right experience and skill set from the start. The lesson was that hiring decisions have a major impact on the health of a business, and it’s important to put capable, reliable people in roles where they can succeed and help the company succeed as well.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
If I could give away one business idea, it would be that attention to detail is a competitive advantage in almost any industry. Small things that many people overlook—whether it’s customer communication, quality control, follow-up, or the way you treat employees—often make the biggest difference over time. Most businesses focus on the large decisions, but I’ve found that consistently getting the little things right is what builds trust, reputation, and long-term success.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Outlook and Excel are probably the two tools I rely on most. I use Outlook’s task feature as my primary to-do list and depend on it to keep track of priorities, deadlines, and follow-up items throughout the day. I’m also a big believer in spreadsheets, so I use Excel regularly to organize information, track projects, analyze numbers, and help make business decisions. Sometimes the simplest tools are still the most effective.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
I purchased gift cards for clients. After being in business for more than 40 years, I’ve learned that relationships matter, and I never want to take loyal customers for granted. It’s a simple gesture, but showing appreciation for the people who support your business goes a long way and helps strengthen relationships that have often been built over many years.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
I listen to Joe Rogan’s podcast because he brings on people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. I don’t always agree with everything that’s said, but I enjoy hearing different viewpoints and ideas that challenge my thinking. One book I found particularly interesting was Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk. Regardless of what people think about Musk, I find his ambition, willingness to take risks, and impact across multiple industries fascinating. In many ways, he reminds me of a modern-day Howard Hughes—a visionary who continually pushes boundaries and challenges conventional thinking.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed Landman. One thing I liked about it was the perspective it gives on an industry that most people don’t think much about, despite how important it is to everyday life. It also serves as a reminder that every business has its own challenges, and sometimes when you see what people in other industries deal with, it gives you a greater appreciation for the work they do and a different perspective on your own problems.
Key learnings:
- Following curiosity can lead to unexpected opportunities. Exploring ideas thoroughly, even when they seem unconventional at first, can uncover valuable insights and new directions.
- Keeping an open mind is essential for learning. Exposure to different perspectives and experiences often leads to better decisions and broader understanding.
- Mistakes should be acknowledged quickly and addressed directly. Taking responsibility and making things right helps build trust and strengthens relationships.
- Hiring the right professionals for the right roles is one of the most important decisions a business can make. Expertise, reliability, and qualifications matter, particularly in positions that carry significant responsibility.