We were lucky to catch up with Donaven Chandler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Donaven, appreciate you joining us today. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?

Donaven Chandler | Owner & Operator, Powerhouse Mobile Dyno

Running a family business has its ups and downs, but the biggest strength is the trust and commitment that comes from working with people who share more than just the job. There’s a different level of pride and passion when your name and legacy are on the line. For me, Powerhouse Mobile Dyno is more than a business—it’s something I’ve built from the ground up and poured my heart into.

I’d love for my children to one day take over the business—not because I expect them to, but because I hope they see the value in building something real, with their own hands, just like I did. If they’re passionate about horsepower, motorsports, and connecting with people at car events and races, then it would be an honor to pass it down to them.

One of the biggest gifts this business has given me is the time I get to spend with my family—whether it’s out on the road, setting up at a show, or running the dyno at an event. Those shared experiences create memories that last far beyond any paycheck or milestone.

Of course, family businesses come with challenges. The biggest pitfall is blurring the line between family and business—when personal emotions start affecting professional decisions. I’ve seen others struggle when roles and expectations aren’t clear. Respect, communication, and accountability are essential.

When done right, a family business can be more than just a job—it can be a legacy, and something powerful to pass on to the next generation.

Donaven, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Donaven Chandler, the owner and operator of Powerhouse Mobile Dyno, a fully portable Dyno testing service that brings the thrill of real horsepower and torque measurement directly to car shows, meets, and no-prep drag racing events across the region. My passion for cars started young growing up, I fixed things out of necessity, but that quickly evolved into building motors and chasing more power. By 16, I built my first car, including the motor, and from that moment on, I was hooked. At 17, I sold my Trans Am and bought a ’74 Corvette Stingray, which I turned into a beast with a 383 stroker, a big cam, roller rockers, high compression, a three-speed manual valve body, with a 3800 RPM stall converter. That car was a rocket—and I ruined a lot of people’s nights who thought they had the faster car.

Eventually, I sold the Corvette, got married, and started a family. We had three kids, and for a while, I stepped away from the car scene. One day, my wife looked at me and said, “You’re miserable without a car,” and encouraged me to get back into what I loved. That’s when I bought Grimace, a project car we built from the ground up to prove that with some elbow grease and creativity, anyone can build something incredible. We built Grimace with “The Dude,” my childhood friend who’s always been in the garage with me building cars—and now tunes side by side with me on the Dyno.

Around the same time, I started helping a local Dyno company with event support and running cars on the rollers. A few years in, the owner approached me about selling the Dyno, and after some convincing, I took the leap. That’s when Powerhouse Mobile Dyno was reborn. Today, we provide white glove service with the Dyno—we’re hands-on, dialed-in, and focused on safety, performance, and giving each customer a high-quality experience. We also give people a platform to show off, whether it’s lighting up the rollers at an event or going viral on our social media pages.

The most common feedback we get from customers is how much they appreciate being able to interact with us, ask questions, and get real-time feedback. We’re not just a business that shows up and leaves—we feel like part of their car family, and that connection means everything to us. We offer live Dyno testing, no-prep drag racing highlights, event coverage, performance tips, behind-the-scenes content, and interviews with racers and enthusiasts. When we’re not at an event, we provide advanced troubleshooting and high-performance modifications—we’re typically the place people turn to when no one else can truly figure out what the issue is. I personally operate the Dyno, drive the cars, and work closely with both the crowd and event hosts.

What sets us apart is that we’re mobile, hands-on, and deeply rooted in the culture—we don’t just show up, we live it. One of the things I’m most proud of is the time I get to spend with my family doing what I love. Whether we’re on the road, setting up at an event, or turning wrenches together, this business has brought us closer while building something lasting. If you’re into cars, racing, or just raw performance, follow us for exclusive content, tips, event action, and serious horsepower—from the garage to the track. You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and at powerhousemobiledyno.com.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building our audience on social media started organically. At first, I was just posting videos and photos from the events we were attending — Dyno pulls, burnouts, behind-the-scenes shots of our setup, and of course, highlights of Grimace in action. What really helped us grow was consistency and staying connected to the car community. I wasn’t trying to go viral — I was just sharing what we love doing, and people naturally responded to the energy and the experience.

One of the big turning points was when we started treating our social media like an extension of the event — not just a highlight reel. I make sure we interact with everyone who comments or messages, tag people who were on the rollers, and give people a reason to repost and engage. We became known not just for the Dyno, but for the vibe, the fun, and how approachable we are.

My biggest advice to anyone just starting out:
Be real. Be consistent. And be part of the community you’re trying to reach.
Don’t just post a polished product — show your process, your wins, your fails, and your hustle. Engage with your followers like they’re your friends at a car meet. Also, always make sure you’re giving your audience something they can either learn from, laugh at, or be impressed by. Do that often enough, and your page will grow — not just in numbers, but in loyalty.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what really helped build our reputation in the market is that we’re hands-on, approachable, and we genuinely care about the people and the cars. From day one, Powerhouse Mobile Dyno wasn’t just about showing up, running a few cars, and leaving — we show up early, stay late, answer questions, and make sure every car gets the attention it deserves.

We built trust by being consistent, honest, and involved. I personally operate the Dyno, tune alongside my buddy “The Dude,” and take the time to walk people through their numbers, what they mean, and what they can improve. We’ve become known as the crew that not only brings the horsepower but also the experience.

Another big factor is that we’re not just some pop-up Dyno trailer — we’re part of the culture. We build our own cars, we race, we wrench, and we show up to support others even when we’re not working an event. People know we’re in it for the love of it, and that’s something you can’t f*ke.

Word-of-mouth has been huge for us. When people leave our setup feeling like they were taken care of, learned something, and had a blast, they talk — and that’s how our name has really spread.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://powerhousemobiledyno.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerhousemobiledyno?igsh=Ymltem1ld2RjZGt1&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/powerhousemobiledyno?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerhousemobiledyno