Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cleveland Shinn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Cleveland thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
In this world there tends to be more followers than leaders. The majority of people stay in tune with the norm and very seldom do they break out of their comfort zones. When I decided my business name it was based on the fact that I live outside of my comfort zone. In the automotive industry it is very easy to get relaxed into the same automobile customization that everyone else does because it’s mainstream and popular. I go against that grain as often as I can. I’m an oddball of sorts and that is why my business is named Oddball Kustom Garage. I live outside the box and I create vehicles that you don’t normally see on the roads. It’s all about the wow factor and setting yourself apart from the rest.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I own an automotive repair shop named Oddball Kustom Garage in Austin, Texas. The creation of Oddball was to provide affordable automotive repairs and automotive customization for those who live paycheck to paycheck. There are corporations in the automotive repair industry that price gouge innocent customers and when I started my business it was to combat that tactic. Most of my clientele starting out was service industry and now it’s a grand mix of everyone. I still do basic automotive repairs as I did in the beginning of Oddball but the positive notoriety has enabled me to branch out more and build crazy cool custom vehicles for whomever lets me along the way. I’m just a car crazy kid turned adult. I was fortunate enough to be able to turn my passion for all things automotive into a way of life. As a child I was always the one who would take my toys apart instead of enjoying them as they were. Moving parts and the complexity of how things worked or were made always intrigued me. I grew up in the 80s and 90s but I was way ahead of my time. There was no bluetooth speaker like we have now, yet I managed to build an audio system for my bicycles as a kid. As a youth I was always making something out of nothing. If I thought it up in my head no matter how far fetched it was, I had to try to create it. Fast forward to adulthood and now I’m able to take that creativity and build vehicles for my clients that they can enjoy just as I envisioned. A lot of auto shops are out here doing the same, ole same but I love innovation, and going against the norm. It’s called Oddball for a reason. On an important note, I never want to outgrow being a personable business. A lot of times my customers grow into friendships and that’s mostly because of the way I treat them. I started Oddball not only to make a living but to also make a change in the way people with automotive needs are treated. My reviews speak for themselves and I’m very proud of that.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’m sure we all know of a neighborhood mechanic, the one who has cars all around their yard, can fix anything you bring them, and has people in and out on a regular basis. Well that was me, that was also me trying to live in neighborhoods that were not so fond of it. Little did I know that the days of heated HOA letters were going to come to an end. One day I had a gentleman stop by my home to purchase a old drug bust Cadillac I had bought at a police auction. He came by and I recognized him from prior auctions etc. He looked around my place and mentioned I had a lot of cars and asked what I was doing. I told him that I was fixing the cars and that was how I was making money. I then inquired about his interest in this Cadillac which before my purchase with its locked doors at auction and black tint I didnt know had been involved in something gory and still showed signs of within the interior of the car. He mentioned he didn’t care about the insides of the car and I was puzzled. He asked me if I could advance what I was doing if I was given a place to actually do it without the frowns of neighbors. I told him I’ve never had the opportunity and that’s when he gave me an address and told me to come by and see if the building he had would work for me. I went to his shop in Del Valle Texas by the Airport. It was small and quaint and it was perfect. I was just shocked and surprised that someone was willing to give me a huge start in pursuing my passion and dreams. Little did I know that his gesture of thought would be the pivoting factor that led to everything that I now have. He enabled me to be able to start a small automotive business and led me to growth.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Growth for me has mainly been word of mouth. Ever since I moved to Austin Texas I’ve been involved with the service industry as a worker and being the go-to car guy amongst my industry peers really helped with my expansion. It’s also very important to be involved with the community you are serving. I participate in community events and good causes which also helps keep me grounded within potential clientele that may need my services in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: Oddballkustomgarage.com
- Instagram: Oddballjustomgarage