After getting married in 1988, my wife and I moved to Big Bear from Orange County. We worked two jobs each as we tried to make some sort of a living. Over the years I ended up working for a tire shop here in the valley for nearly 9 years. I started out doing tires at $5.00 an hour in 1991. After about 5 years I was running the shop. During my entire stay there we had four children and my wife had come home to raise them the old fashioned way. I stayed at my former employer as long as I could until venturing out on my own.
In 1999 on February 7th I opened the door to my 1-bay 1-employee (me) shop. I only sold tires at this time. Within two months I hired my first employee. By October that same year we had gotten so busy we moved to a different spot in the same complex but with twice the room and hired another employee. In 2005 we moved to a building right on the main hiway through town. We now have 6 employees and offer a full line of repair as well as tires.
When I was 20 years old I brought my car to a mechanic for the first time as a customer. I was given an estimate of $250.00 for the work I needed. When I returned to pick it up it was $400.00! No phone call, no warning. That experience changed me. Today, as a shop owner I think like a customer. We will NEVER try and sell you something you don't need. We will NEVER spend your money without your clear permission. And we will ALWAYS offer to show you your old parts.
-Gino