Autobiography

By Mark

As a whole, I’ve been in this industry for twenty-five years doing all the jobs: specialized on frame machines, painting, bodywork, and much more before opening up my own shop. This really allowed me to become experienced with the tedious work that it really takes to make vehicles look newer and better than they were before entering the shop. I truly find great pride in completing cars to their upmost perfection and that is why our clients keep coming back.

I started my own business in September of 2011 after working for other shops 17 years prior to that. This profession was always in my interest for the longest time. I started this journey with a little shop. The size was little just at 800 square feet. During my time in this space, I was working all alone, taking on the day’s workload. I had one Car-O-Liner frame machine, one 5 hp air compressor, and three spray guns: one for clear coat, base coat, and primer. I used to buy my materials based on what was currently needed, not in bulk. I had a cubicle-sized office I boarded up myself in the corner. I started each job and went through the process by my lonesome.

In the following two years, in reflecting on my job and space, I saw fit that I needed extra space. That was when I saw the opportunity to get the unit next to me, 900 square feet. With my funds I bought a spray booth that was very crucial for me at this point. This is when I added more spray guns for each color. I slowly started to stock up on materials, as work was getting steady because of my dedication. My connection began to broaden with the different insurance companies as they got to know my business and my execution on client’s cars. Now I was getting a real taste of this drilling operation.

In the fall of 2016, I made the biggest decision that’s shown greatest change to my business to date. I expanded my business with another 6,200 square feet, the largest unit in the back of the same location. We now have an organized office, waiting room and restroom for clients, a spray booth, a paint mixing room- we use PPG paint line, two frame machines: Car-O-Liner Mark 5 and Car-O-Liner Bench Rack with EVO 1, a Car-O-Tronic Vision measuring system, Pro Spot PR-10 resistance spot welding system, Pro Spot dent puller, Pro Spot i4s smart spot welder, SP-5 double pulse MIG welder (steel, silicone-bronze, aluminum), AL-5 aluminum dent pulling system, polish station, wash and detail station, certified technicians and an office assistant. We buy our materials in bulk and have a direct contract with Martin Auto Color. We work with every insurance company, even new ones we never heard of.

Our work has tripled and evidently my goals have changed, as we are now an I-CAR gold certified shop. I always wanted my shop to look appealing to everyone, from clients to adjusters and yet feel comfortable. I completely revamped this place; the previous owner hadn’t much drive or care to keep this place clean and organized. My vision was different; I didn’t want it to look like a typical disreputable body shop. It is evident that this business has come a long way and grown with my hard work and commitment, from 800 to 15,000 square feet.

At the end of the day this shop is an embodiment of me, who I am as a person and my art. This is what I create, all my hopes, dreams, and passions in one place. This is what I love to do and always wanted to execute and surpass all the limitations. I wish to continue doing this job for years to come in the future, to continue expanding and growing.