Giving Back

Tonight we celebrated the success of a neighborhood business. It was a good reminder that small businesses can still succeed.

A few weeks ago we received an invitation to a barbecue to mark the 10th anniversary of Skyline Automotive, the people who have kept my ’85 Volvo alive and well far beyond its life expectancy.

It’s a small enough business that they know us by name and we know the people who do the service. We know the managers. We know the guy who drives us home when we drop off a car.

Pleasing the customer seems to be first and foremost in their minds. They have been willing to install parts I procured from a Volvo junkyard in Kansas. The last time I was in for a burned out brake light, they didn’t even charge me.

Tonight Bob, the owner, gave back to the community. He provided grilled food with all the trimmings and beer, wine, or anything else you might want to drink. There was a live band who played in one of the garage bays.

And there were even door prizes. We walked away with a certificate for $100 of auto service and a $25 gift card for Bonefish Grill. Not bad for a free evening.

It’s reassuring to know that a little guy can make it at a time when everything is being supersized. I can guarantee that everyone who was out there eating wings and listening to music tonight will continue to be a faithful customer as long as Skyline Auto stays in business.