Daily Herald Article 
Stephens Automotive was recently featured in the Daily Herald. The article is reprinted below. February 1st, 2005 by Kim Mikus Joe Stephens' father bought him his first car, a tan 1972 Chrysler New Yorker, when he was 14. His dad allowed him to work on the car in the lot of his Palatine construction company, but he couldn't drive it until he was 16. Decades after the family sold the construction company, the younger Stephens continues to repairs cars on that same lot. He now runs his own business Stephens Automotive at 253 N. Eric Drive. When he found this location for his business 10 years ago, he didn't realize at first it was the same property where his father, who died 12 years ago, ran his business "He was always my best friend and is still a part of my life," he said of his dad. Now in running his repair shop, communication is key, Stephens said. He realizes that auto repair shops often don't have the best reputation. "I hold everything to communication," he said. Stephens believes this, along with hiring qualified, dedicated employees, is what's helping his business grow. He has between one and nine new customers a week. "The average is five," he added. At the end of 2004 his gross sales hit $930,000. The prospect Heights native started the business on his own. He now has six employees. Stephens said customers come back because they know the shop is honest. He often takes customers to their car to show them exactly what's wrong with it. Prior to launching his own venture, he worked for seven years at a Toyota dealership. He said his toolbox was by the exist door and he often saw customers shaking their heads when they left the shop. "They didn't understand what they were paying for," he said. Stephens knew he could do a better job. He started his business specializing in Toyota and Lexus repair. Four years ago he doubled his space and hired more people and expanded the expertise. The shop now handles nearly every model. "Keeping someone as a customer is big," said Stephens. He and his wife, Kimberly, are raising two children, Vanessa, 3 and Joe, 7, in Cary. His son helps him out on Friday by taking out the garbage and using a small machine to clean the floor. In an effort to improve communication, Stephens is offering a free car clinic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb 11 and 12. With the participant's car on a lift, they will receive a tour of the automobile's main components and learn about tire pressures, oil and basic fluid levels. "We're not trying to sell you things," Stephens said. He added that participants will receive a free set of jumper cables and learn how to jumpstart the car. They will also learn how to pop the trunk and learn to change a flat tire. The half-hour session is good for teenagers or adults who don't know a lot about cars. "My business is not just about fixing cars," Stephens said. For more information, call (847) 705-8770 or check out www.stephensautomotive.com ©2005 Daily Herald |