We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shawn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shawn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Initially, I felt that launching my company was a timely decision. Before making this choice, I was in a workplace accident that resulted in a injury to the upper right side of my body. As a result, I was faced with uncertainty regarding my ability to provide for my family, and feelings of fear were severely understated, in an unexpected turn of events, a former employer with whom I had a 15-year working relationship contacted me and presented the opportunity to acquire his company. While this seemed like a fictional scenario, I was hindered by a lack of financial resources at the time. In my situation, I believe anyone would have taken the same course of action scrambling to secure sufficient funds to open and make payments on the company. The day arrived for the down payment on the company, and I still lacked the necessary funds. Just as I was about to abandon the endeavor, I received an email from a lending company I had applied to, informing me that my loan had been approved. It felt surreal, and I began to panic. With these funds, I could now make the down payment and sustain the company for a month. It was extremely daunting experience, we managed to navigate the challenges and drive growth. Notably, we have recently upgraded our facility to accommodate a larger workforce and increased productivity. In conclusion, I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason at the appointed time. Furthermore I believe I started my company at the right time, and I have made a full recovery from my injury and have regained optimal health.

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.

Hello, my name is Shawn leonard and I am originally from Washington State. I am married and have a wonderful son. I have spent approximately 28 years in the automotive industry, with 7 of those years as the owner of Stuttgart Motors on Eastland Dr located in Lexington, Ky. My interest in cars and mechanical systems dates back to my childhood. As a young boy, I would often take apart my mother’s car, although I didn’t fully comprehend its mechanics, and it would frequently cease to function. Despite this, my parents continued to support me, with the proviso that I refrain from practicing on their vehicles. As a result I began fixing bicycles and skateboards for my friends, as well as the occasional abandoned appliance, later after obtaining my drivers license I would work on my car and my friends cars. At the age of 18, I relocated to Kentucky to complete my studies. While enrolled in school, I discovered an automotive class and quickly signed up. Interestingly, about halfway through my first year in the automotive class, the teacher, Joe Norman, entrusted me with instructing the class, given my existing knowledge, which proved to be an enjoyable experience and led me to consider teaching as a viable career option. Later, I obtained my first internship in automotive at Paul Miller Ford, which ultimately confirmed my desire to pursue a career in this field. My next positions was at independent shops, where I worked on a diverse range of vehicles, gaining valuable experience.
In 2018, I purchased Stuttgart Motors with a distinct vision for customer care and employee satisfaction. My goal was to create a hub where customers could access top-notch work, and prices for their vehicles. Concurrently, I aimed to foster a workplace where employees could thrive, and develop new skills, and grow professionally. By adhering to this philosophy, we have successfully built one of the finest automotive shops, where customers appreciate our services and occasionally visit us just to greet us. We invite European vehicle owners to visit our location and experience our expertise.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Through my experiences as a business owner, I have discovered that some customers are resistant to satisfaction, a notion that was previously unfamiliar to me. While I take pride in my dedication to providing outstanding service, I have come to realize that this trait can be manipulated. Conquering this vulnerability has been a significant aspect of my personal and professional growth. The backstory on this issues is lengthy and ongoing. I believe that anyone in a leadership position or industry control is familiar with the situation I’m describing. For instance, during my first month in business, a customer approached me after approving the repairs and completing the work on their vehicle. They informed me that they were unable to pay for the services and requested a payment plan. As a new business owner eager to ensure respect and care for all customers, I agreed to their request. However, as you may anticipate, the customer failed to make the first payment as agreed upon. My subsequent attempts to contact them were unsuccessful, as thy had changed their phone number. After a couple of months, I visited the address they provided, only to discover from a former neighbor that they had relocated two days after receiving their vehicle back, leaving no forwarding address. this experience served as a valuable lesson that companies experience.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first established my business, I didn’t anticipate all the challenges that lay ahead. Although I was familiar with the fundamental aspects such as taxes and bills, I lacked a deeper understanding of their implications, I was able to navigate the complexities of the business. As a result, I successfully expanded from a small 3 bay lift garage to a significantly, larger facility with 7 bays with lifts and extra space to spare.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stuttgartmotorslexky.com
• Facebook: Stuttgart motors
• Twitter: @stuttgartmotors1
• Other: [email protected]