Some people seem to have an uncanny ability to find professional success without venturing too far from home. One such individual is Dennis Fourreau, owner of Automotive Specialist, a six-bay automotive repair facility in Lisle, IL.
For some, automotive repair is in the blood — especially when you follow in the footsteps of your dad and his dad before him. Bob Rischbieter, Jr., grew up working at Rischbieter’s Automotive in St. Louis, MO, so it comes as no surprise that he now owns it. “My grandfather, Ted Rischbieter, first opened the doors
Let’s face it: No one likes working weekends. Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to catch up on chores, visit with friends and, most importantly, spend quality time with family. It’s why 3A Automotive Service is closed on the weekends, and it just might be one of the reasons President Jimmy Alauria doesn’t have much
All too often, going into business together can strain a friendship, but this hasn’t been the case for Lou Lippert and Mike Maloney. If anything, opening Convenience Auto Service in March 2004 and working to operate a successful independent repair shop has only solidified the alliance – and resulted in the two friends celebrating their 10th anniversary in business.
When Brian Bates opened Eagle Automotive in Littleton, CO, 10 years ago, he knew he wanted to build not only a successful business, but also a rewarding environment where employees wanted to excel. If opening a second location in 2012 is any indication, Bates is on to something, and that something is teamwork.
The mark of a long-lasting business isn’t just profitability during times of economic prosperity, but also adjusting when things take a turn for the worse. Vancouver, WA, Shop Owner Casey McGowan has seen hard times — and taken the steps necessary to ensure his business not only stayed afloat but flourished as well.
In an age of social media and constant connectivity via smartphones, who you know can help make or break your business. Just ask Bill Wasylyk, Bobby Lee Keeney Jr. and Eric Muir, co-owners of Brighton Auto Service in Brighton, MI. Their long-standing association with Federated Auto Parts has played an integral role in the shop’s success.
In a society that is increasingly becoming accustomed to instant gratification (you can find just about any information with a quick Google search), it should come as no surprise that the motto at Mark’s Auto Service in Rockford, IL, is, “We fix it all, right here, right now!”
Tom and Cindi Potter have had quite the adventure when it comes to the location of their successful import shop, Japanese Auto Masters in Virginia Beach, VA. The husband-and-wife team opened the shop in 1982 at a time when few independent repair shops focused on Asian vehicles. Originally located in a small shop near the oceanfront in Virginia Beach, Japanese Auto Masters had outgrown its small beginnings, and, in 1996, the couple started operations in a new 7,000-square-foot facility next to Oceana Naval Air Station.
Steve Fowler has learned a thing or two when it comes to owning and operating a successful independent automotive repair shop. Even though he opened his namesake shop 30 years ago, Fowler says he’s always working to better not only his business, but his employees and customer service as well. For Fowler, Steve’s European Automotive is the shop it is today for four main reasons.
The owners of Integrity Automotive make one thing very clear on their website: Integrity isn’t just part of the shop’s name; it’s the basis of everything they do. That was the mutual goal when Charlie and Julee Baxley, and Don and Barb Meeker decided to open an automotive repair business in Tucson, AZ, more than seven years ago in February 2006.
By all accounts, if you walked into Certified Express Lube & Auto Service in Crestwood, KY, you’d probably think it was owned by a former technician who decided to venture into shop ownership. The waiting area is inviting and features AAA-approved signage. The shop’s four technicians have ample room to work in the shop’s 13 service bays, and customer service is priority number one for each and every repair.