We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tamara (TK) Kasper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tamara (TK), looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
When I started working in the automotive field, seasoned technicians refered to me as “green”. Green is a terminology that means fresh or having no experience in the field. I wanted to learn the how to’s, build my confidence, and better understand that machine that I desperately depended-on daily. Most of all, I needed to find a job. I had no idea when I began working in this male dominant field that I would take it to a higher level. It all fell together and I started to enjoy learning the engineering of automobiles. My career all began with a single question, “Are you hiring?” Fast forward and a different city later, I was pushing myself forward in the field. I was told by one business owner that when your life starts coming together you are pulling yourself forward. I was pushing myself through numerous oil changes on many varieties of vehicles. Once in a while, the boss would give me a different assignment to do, like mowing the yard, cutting trees and weeding but mainly oil changes. In my heart, I knew that my dreams far exceeded just oil changes. I wanted to do more and demanded more.
While I was talking to other technicians at the auto shop, I was informed that most of them had side work. I wanted side work! I began telling my friends about the idea. When the word got around, it was like a new start. I was able to expand on my problem solving skills and learn about the engineering of vehicles on a deeper level. I received so much encouragement from each job I completed that eventually, I created my own business. It was then when I felt the whole world was resting on my shoulders. Expansion was my priority. The birth of networking events rolled through my entrepreneurial blood. During one, I went inside the building to make friends. Personally, I never liked when people tried to sell me. I’d rather make friends. It is more fun that way. Additionally, I always thought it was fascinating how people created their pathway to their careers. There was a lady close to my age there . We started talking and began to discuss the professional routes we took and how we ended up at the networking event. We had fun! From that one event I gained one new client, and from that one client she recommended other people to have their car work done by me.
That day when I worked on my first client’s car, it felt like the biggest day of my life. It showed me that my dream was tangible. I had a business. I could make money. I can do this. It also gave me an intense feeling of responsibility. This was someone’s life in my hands. I took the responsibility and I felt proud of my work. After I finished the work, I took the car on a test ride and then delivered it to her house. The message was loud. It takes one person to start a snowball effect. How large it could grow depended on my professionalism and customer service.
Tamara (TK), 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?
You know how some people’s lives fall into a place as if it was predestined. I don’t know if that is me, but I’ve been told that the automotive field chose me. This may sound pretty ridiculous, but maybe when I start from the beginning, you will agree too. When I graduated from a university in Dallas, America was in the midst of a recession. People were losing their jobs and I needed a job. I started off my professional career open minded. I took whatever job I could get because I always had the philosophy since I was a young girl that every job, no matter how big or small, was important. I took that philosophy in stride as I bounced around jobs trying to find my purpose.
One mundane day, I drove to a mechanic shop to get an oil change. As I was waiting, I thought it was a good opportunity to pop the question, “Are you hiring?” I had no idea that those three words would change the whole direction of my life. The owner of the shop asked me if I could start next week and the rest is history. I began my glamorous job cleaning, EVERYTHING. I cleaned the equipment, mopped the floors, cleaned the lifts, filled barrels with the appropriate fluids and once in a while, changed oil for a customer. I was stoked. About two weeks in, the owner sold the business and two new owners ran the shop.
They were brothers and one seemed more knowledgeable about mechanics than the other. They introduced themselves as the new owners. As they approached me, I had butterflies from my stomach to my mouth. I could tell this was not going to end well. The brothers discussed options to keep me as their employee which consisted of being a secretary. I was given no choice. I either was a secretary or there were no other jobs for me. I did not know it then, but this was a foreshadowing of how it was to go against the grain.
I enjoyed working in this unconventional career. Why would I want to be inside, sitting at a desk, staring into a computer screen all day? I was outside enduring the elements, on my own two feet, using my hands and solving problems every day. It was stimulating! I continued to dive deeper into the industry. I went from one shop to the next believing someone would value who I was. I was eager, motivated, and hungry. Everything I learned was on the job. I did not go to trade school like other technicians I met along the way. I learned from sweat, blood, tears and hard knocks. I lived the path less taken. I did not allow anyone else’s noise to be louder than my music. I struggled, won, and then struggled some more. I was doing it!
Down the road, I had an idea of getting more experience by working on side jobs. This was a game changer. I spread the word, work began coming in and my schedule was becoming full. I was getting so busy and making more money with these side jobs that it began to not make sense to work for someone else. I finally made my side hustle into a business and soon after took a leap of faith to run it full time.
I am not sure about you, but I like trying new things. I enjoy listening to various genres, watching foreign movies, having new experiences, traveling to new areas, learning new skills, trying new restaurants, etc. I like new. Naturally, I took the opportunity to manage business differently. I operated it as a mobile mechanic, picked up and delivered customer vehicles to and from their home or work, had a community opening to share my platform with other local businesses, operated a car radio show on KPFT, helped families after Hurricane Harvey, and created car care workshops from preschool through middle age adults.
You can see how no one was surprised when I broke into the Harley Davidson industry. I had an outside influence from my boyfriend, but let’s be real, it was all a matter of time. Once I started riding, I rode everywhere. This led me to where I am today. I am the only woman Harley Davidson technician in Houston, Texas. Listen, once you ride a Harley you will not ride any other bike and if you have never ridden a motorcycle, do yourself a favor and take the motorcycle safety riding class.
My man is a very skilled welder fabricator at Ekstensive Metal Works. He and I blended our skills into building custom Harley’s. Our very first custom build won awards in contests. Receiving awards on our very first build was surreal. I no longer needed to push. I was pulling. Every bike we build is uniquely different from one another. Clients bring their dream to us and we go beyond it.
This led to another change in operation. Instead of working on cars, I began to work on Harleys. I enjoy working on vehicles and I am not stopping my Pearls N’ Pistons car care workshops. These workshops proved to be a success. With these workshops I am able to incorporate helping low economic families with repairing their vehicles and teaching individuals who want to know more. However, Harley Davidson engulfs my spirit by its lifestyle, the people and culture. This is where I belong. So, let me ask you. Do you believe in destiny?
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I had a goal from the very start of managing a business. I knew it would take longer to grow, but my reputation has strength to its name and I never once paid for an advertisement. From being recognized by local magazines, to Women’s Leadership Pipeline, to local schools and camps, to STEM conferences, to radio programs, to ABC 13 news, to Red Kap uniform company, Alphy App, SheSpace and now, Houston Voyage; I never sold out.
My reputation was built because I care the most. Everyone who supports me, I considered a friend. From our conversations, sharing experiences or laughs; I appreciate my clientele. After working on my customer’s vehicles I often wash and vacuum them, leave behind a cold bottle of water, and place a thank you card inside before they are dropped off or picked up.
You hear it all the time; it is the small things that matter and it is true. I built a reputation by word of mouth only. I knew if my work was spreading throughout the town, I was doing outstanding work and that is most important to me, consistent quality.
Any advice for managing a team?
Having a strong team equals a strong reputation. I enjoy team building! You have to enjoy the people you are working around. When managing a business you have to create the atmosphere and hire the people who fit it. Knowing the people who are working alongside you helps. Do you know their strengths and weaknesses? This is not picking on them; it shows you care enough to notice. Focus on their strengths and let them explore it. Do you have business meetings and how do you structure them? Meetings are a great way to promote clear expectations, encourage a defined vision and help focus on the goals. Communication plays a huge role in inside and outside meetings. Do you have team building activities? Playing competitive games fosters a winning mentality. Last but not least, actively listen to your team. Do not let your ego hinder the brilliance of the people around you.
When you are passionate you build yourself a lifestyle, when it’s a job you follow money. From time to time take a moment to look back at your progress. It is a long, windy road and we are all in our own time zones of success. During those moments when your path looks bleak; remember that tomorrow the sun will rise regardless. And if you are able to stay positive through dark times; tell me how you do it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Six13Shop, tkgearface
- Facebook: Six13 Shop