Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire & Daniel Lovlock.
Claire & Daniel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our path to owning a towing company wasn’t exactly a straight line. Daniel went to school for pre-med, aiming to become a doctor, and I studied history and education before becoming a high school teacher. After teaching for a few years, I moved to Seattle, where I met Daniel while he was working for another towing company. We fell in love, dated for two years, got engaged, and, in true entrepreneurial fashion, started our business before we even got married!
Towing wasn’t something either of us planned on, but looking back, every step—Daniel’s part-time dispatcher job in college, meeting the right people, and even the twists and turns we didn’t expect—led us right here. That first ride-along in a tow truck sparked a passion, and the idea of working for ourselves and serving our community was something we couldn’t ignore. Through it all, we’ve trusted God’s plan, and now we can’t imagine doing anything else. We love what we do, especially the way we get to do it—together, with purpose and faith at the core of our business.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not exactly. But we never expected it to be.
Starting and running a towing business comes with its fair share of challenges, and we’ve had to learn a lot—sometimes the hard way. One of the biggest struggles early on was simply getting started. There’s so much more to towing than just having a truck and a willingness to work. Figuring out commercial insurance, licensing, and compliance requirements was overwhelming at times. There were moments when it felt like every step forward came with two steps back, but we kept pushing through.
Financially, it was also a leap of faith. Tow trucks aren’t cheap, and deciding between buying new or used, flatbed or wrecker—all while making sure we weren’t stretching ourselves too thin—was a major learning curve. On top of that, towing is unpredictable. There are slow seasons, and there are weeks when it feels like the calls never stop. Learning how to balance that ebb and flow, both financially and mentally, was something we had to figure out as we went.
Then, of course, there’s the nature of the job itself. Towing isn’t easy work. It’s long hours, late nights, early mornings, and being out in all kinds of weather. We’ve had our fair share of tough recoveries, dangerous roadside situations, and even moments where we’ve questioned if we were cut out for this. But every time we help someone out of a bad situation—whether it’s a family stranded on the side of the road or a complicated recovery that seemed impossible—it reminds us why we do this.
Through all of it, our faith has kept us grounded. There have been times when the stress of running a business felt like too much, but we’ve leaned on God and each other to push through. Every struggle has made us stronger, and looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing. The challenges have shaped us, and they’ve made every success that much more rewarding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Frank’s Towing & Recovery, we provide a full range of towing and roadside assistance services, including lockouts, jumpstarts, tire changes, winch-out extrications, and more. But before you ask—why the name Frank’s when our names are Daniel and Claire? Well, our company is named after our 75-pound pit bull, Frank. He embodies the attitude we all wish to have—always happy to see people and glad to be around them.
Daniel has been in the towing industry for over eight years. He started as a dispatcher, then worked as a tow operator for another small business before we decided to launch our own company. Now, he’s our co-owner and operator, handling the toughest recoveries with skill and experience. I’ve been in the business for nearly two years and serve as co-owner and manager, but I don’t just run the office—you’ll also find me out on the truck, throwing dollies, and getting hands-on with the work.
One of the best parts of owning our business is that we get to serve our community in meaningful ways. We’ve sponsored our local Best Buddies chapter for the past two years, participated in our local Christmas Parade and the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, and we have built relationships with our local police and fire departments. Looking ahead, we’re in the early stages of planning a Touch-A-Truck event to raise funds and collect supplies for local schools. Beyond that, we’re passionate about raising awareness for the “Slow Down, Move Over” laws in Washington. Most people don’t realize that tow truck operators are killed at an alarming rate—on average, one every six days. Drivers are required by law to move over or slow down when approaching vehicles with flashing lights on the side of the road, and we’re committed to spreading that message to help save lives.
What sets us apart? We’re a husband-and-wife-owned towing company, coming from completely different backgrounds, but we’ve built something special together. Towing isn’t just about moving vehicles—it’s about problem-solving in high-stakes situations. If you check out our YouTube channel, you’ll see some of the wild recoveries we take on. We love the challenge of showing up to a job where people aren’t sure how the problem can be solved—and figuring out a safe, creative way to get it done.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
We wouldn’t be where we are today without the people who have supported us along the way. First and foremost, we leaned on each other—Daniel had the industry knowledge and hands-on experience, while I handled the business filings, financials, and logistics. In the beginning, I wouldn’t have been able to decide between a flatbed or a wrecker, let alone how to operate one! And Daniel relied on me to navigate the paperwork and financial decisions that come with starting a business. We each brought different strengths to the table, and together, we figured it out.
Beyond just the two of us, we’ve been incredibly blessed with an amazing support system. Our friends Red and Kimberly Balansay have been there from the start—Red designed our logo, branding, and website, and when we brought our first truck home after a cross-country drive, they welcomed us with champagne, a balloon, and were even our first online review. Yuriy Cheban, a friend who owns his own towing company, was invaluable when we were figuring out commercial insurance, billing, and the countless little details that come with running a towing business. He also connected us with his diesel mechanic, who has since become our go-to guy for keeping our trucks running smoothly.
We’ve also learned so much from fellow towing company owners who have generously shared their knowledge, and we’ve made it a habit to regularly network with other operators, business owners, and industry professionals to keep learning and growing.
Most importantly, we would not be where we are without our faith and the guidance of God. There have been tough days (and even tougher weeks), but we lean into prayer and trust that we are on the right path. Through every challenge, we’ve been reminded that we’re not in this alone—and that’s what keeps us going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.frankstowingrecovery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankstowingandrecovery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Franks-Towing-Recovery/100092504943821/
- LinkedIn: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.linkedin.com/company/frankstowingandrecovery&ved=2ahUKEwi2neb7qd2LAxXVODQIHa9JECkQFnoECG4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2Q-aZl0L0afmH4J4RBuOP7
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/frankstowing23
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FranksTowingRecovery
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/frank-s-towing-and-recovery-seattle-3?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: https://linktr.ee/frankstowingrecovery
