All in the Family: CARSTAR team members share their start in the automotive industry
As we celebrate our mothers in May and fathers in June, Driven Brands is honored to celebrate the family connections and motivations that ignited a passion for the automotive industry.
We recently asked some CARTSAR team members to share how they began their career in the automotive industry. For most, they have a family connection or a family-focused motivation.
As we prepare for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, and Father’s Day on Sunday, June 18, we’re happy to share some of the family stories from CARSTAR Canada.
From learning the business from their parents and foster parents to getting connected to a business with their spouse, and many more reasons, these team members are proud of their family ties to the industry.
A future for the next generation
For Sam Franchuk of CARSTAR Calgary Sunridge, joining the CARSTAR family was an opportunity to build a stable future for her son.
“I was looking for a better way to provide for my newborn son as a young single mom. I started working at a Honda service department and fell in love with working on cars,” said Sam Franchuk. ”From there, I got some more information about auto painting which intrigued my artistic side. Years later, I have done it all! I have grown from front-end to appraiser to become a manager, and love where I am and how far I have come!”
‘Hard work pays off’
The role of motherhood also played a part in Jacey D’Antonio’s entry into the industry.
“After years of staying at home to care for my three children, my youngest was heading into kindergarten,” began Jacey D’Antonio of CARSTAR Sunridge. “One of my friends was a former employee of a body shop close to home. She knew that the shop was looking for a CSR (customer service representative) and told me that she thought I’d be a good candidate. I didn’t know a single thing about cars – or the automotive industry – but I knew I could handle receptionist duties thanks to my previous salon jobs. Recently, I became a junior appraiser at CARSTAR. I am learning so much. Each day is a new adventure filled with tons of information, questions, and answers. I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity. My kids also think it’s pretty cool. I love showing them that hard work pays off. That you can do and learn anything you put your mind to.”
Learning from your parents
Other individuals grew up watching their parents and learned the trade directly from them.
“My dad has been a mechanic for over 40 years,” shared Diahann Elliot of CARSTAR Canada Torcam Group. “I started in this industry through his connections and have continued to grow ever since.”
“My parents actually own three CARSTAR locations, and I started training as a CSR so I could help them out when they need it,” said Laura Torres Camacho, CARSTAR Brantford West.
A desire to help family succeed proved to be a common motivator for other CARSTAR Canada team members as well.
“My dad is the owner of Traditional Auto Body and Running Board Rubber and growing up, I worked side by side with him whenever I could,” said Zoey Wist, CARSTAR Medicine Hat. “I had wanted to be a body painter or technician for as long as I can remember. After high school I did welding for a couple years and then worked with automotive parts for three years. The car world is all I know!”
Samantha Parsons-Lawrie from CARSTAR Brantford West, entered the industry for similar reasons.
“I started fixing cars at a very early age with my father, and I've been in the trade ever since,” said Samantha. “I started as an automotive technician, transitioning to auto body repair and then settled painting care. With my knowledge and experience, I am proud to add that I now manage a shop while writing estimates.”
Spouses finding a love for automotive – together
Working collaboratively with a spouse was also a common motivator for team members and many viewed it as a unique way to grow both personally and professionally.
“I got into the automotive repair field after my husband and I bought into the business after his parents had purchased it,” said Laura Torres of CARSTAR Brantford.
“My husband and I owned and operated a rust check business, and I wanted to learn more and expand my automotive experience,” said Tammy Cooper of CARSTAR Simcoe.
Family isn’t just something CARSTAR values, it’s a part of who we are! Whether it’s all your family has ever known or a new foray for your family, CARSTAR is proud to highlight the families that keep our wheels turning.