‘There is more than one path to success’: Selvi Rizk Menard’s journey
Selvi Rizk Menard, owner of two Fix Auto USA locations, shares her story and experience of finding success in the collision repair industry.
After graduating college, Selvi Rizk Menard worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Southern California, where she gained her first exposure to the automotive industry. The job ended up setting the course of her career.
“You have to enjoy the ride, even if you are exploring new roads,” said Selvi. “It is important to have patience, trust the people around you, and regularly check up on where you are and where you want to be.”
Twenty years later, she is now the owner of Fix Auto Brea and Fix Auto Moreno Valley, leading the collision repair facilities with excellent customer service and high-quality repairs.
The path to this point wasn’t exactly direct, but she has charted her course for the future with plans to continue to grow her operations.
After her time at Enterprise, Selvi was sold on the merits of the automotive industry. She bought a local insurance agency and became a silent partner in a collision repair shop in Moreno Valley, CA. Then, in 2009, things changed, and she unexpectedly went from silent partner to active owner–running both organizations.
“I was a single mother with a two-year-old son, and now, I have a collision repair facility and an insurance agency to run,” she noted. “I quickly learned it was all about the people and the process. You wear so many hats in this role, so you need excellent time management skills to keep everything running smoothly.”
Selvi sold the insurance agency to focus on her burgeoning collision repair business. Then in 2013, she joined Fix Auto USA.
“I love Fix Auto USA. The franchise model is a perfect fit for my operations style and my business,” she said. “They touch everything in our business and work to make improvements with us. The collaboration with the other Fix Auto USA owners is amazing – I’m always learning from others in our network.”
In 2018, she expanded and opened her second Fix Auto USA location in Brea, California.
One key element of the culture at Fix Auto Moreno Vally and Fix Auto Brea is a legacy of giving back. Menard and her team recently participated in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation during the Women’s Industry Network Conference in Newport Beach, California, where they refurbished a vehicle for a single mother in need.
“It inspires everyone to participate in something together,” Menard said. “It builds our team and brings us together outside of our daily jobs. We’re looking forward to doing another vehicle soon.”
Menard hopes to leave an impact on an industry that has been good to her. One way to do that is by encouraging other women who want to become leaders in the collision repair industry to create a between work and life to be successful.
“It’s critical to set aside time to care for yourself and raise your family,” she noted. “It’s important to give back, nourish your soul, reflect on the journey you’ve taken and the path that will take you to the goals you’ve set.”
For Selvi, success is a result of deliberate effort and determination, with each twist and turn of her journey shaping her growth and achievements.