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Entering the make and model of the car on the new $40,000 Hunter alignment machine, GoldieÕs Auto Body owner Paul Goldrick sets the machine to compare an HD image of targets mounted on the carÕs wheels with the manufacturerÕs specs. The computer will analyze the results and provide the technician with directions for correcting the vehicleÕs alignment. The machine, according to Goldrick, is the best for its purpose available in the United States and is designed to work on all makes and models of cars through the 2012 model BMWs and Mercedes Benzes. The Hunter is the major piece of equipment in Goldie's new auto service shop.
Paul Goldrick: Achieving the 'American Dream'  Share
The American Dream is still possible to achieve, if what one means by the American Dream is reaping the rewards of hard work, a clear vision, honest dealings, and following one's passion. In these difficult economic times, when many are losing jobs, being crushed by changed terms of what was manageable debt and facing a rising cost of living, more and more Americans are finding, within themselves, the entrepreneurial spirit that has been the salvation of many and the foundation of America's success. In droves, they are starting new businesses or expanding existing ones. They are taking risks, investing their private resources, and committing themselves to grueling hours of hard work with little immediate return. According to a representative of Legalzoom. com in a recent radio interview, ''We have seen an unprecedented increase in the numbers of people seeking to incorporate new businesses.'' Unfortunately, many of these fledgling enterprises will fail for myriad reasons.
Some, because the owners lack the vision, the commitment, or the passion to make them succeed. Some, because the owners lack those aspects of character that inspire confidence in them within their potential customer or client base. Others will fail because they launch at the wrong time or in the wrong place or are insufficiently capitalized. History shows, however, that failure of a startup business is not the end; many entrepreneurs find success on their second, third, or even tenth start-up. They find a more opportune time, a better location or more capital. They realize they will have to devote more time and energy and expect less return on their investments as the business struggles to take off. And some discover they were not operating within the scope of their passion. The maxim, ''If you don't succeed, try, try, try again.'' has no more apt application than it does in the realm of business start-ups. Of course, some new businesses take off the first time out of the chute and give their owners quite a ride long beyond the blare of the horn. Paul Goldrick of Beecher is one such young man whose tentative climb into the saddle led to a successful ride beyond his expectations. A little more than 10 years ago, Goldrick found himself unexpectedly out of a job when the auto dealership where he had worked for 10 years closed its auto body shop. Like many auto mechanics and body technicians, Goldrick took on side jobs for friends and friends of friends; and, when the job disappeared, he was able to keep money coming in by working on the cars backed up in his driveway at home. After several months of this, his wife asked him when he was going to look for a job. He said, ''After I get the cars done that I am committed to do.'' Of course, one car was completed and sent out, but two cars came in: and that kind of pattern continued. His next conversation with his wife on the subject led to a realization: What he was doing provided sufficient income to keep the family and household going, and they hadn't had to dip into their savings to make ends meet. He was doing what he loved, taking cars that had been beaten up and making them look beautiful and new again. Just maybe he had already found his ''job.'' He began treating the work like a business, rather than as a series of side jobs, and soon he was busier than he and his one part-time helper could handle comfortably in his home garage. His wife, Theresa, took over the office tasks, and he hired additional help in the garage. In 1999, he expanded his business and leased the auto shop building behind Reising's Chevrolet on Hodge's Street. For the next two years, he operated both shops with five employees, and as business grew, he made plans to build a new shop. By 2001, he moved both operations into the new building at 1369 Dutch American Way in Beecher, increasing his staff to 10, including an additional office staff worker to assist his wife who still ran the office full time. Business continued to grow as he contracted with area dealerships to send their body work to him and made arrangements with insurance companies to utilize his services. It wasn't long until he realized he needed more space and in 2005, operations moved into a 5,000-square-foot expansion to his building, including an expanded paint shop with two down draft baking paint booths, requiring the addition of two new technicians. At the same time he added towing to his list of services offered and with three tow trucks, he hired two full time tow truck drivers. Time passed, business continued to increase, and more and more loyal customers were expressing the wish that he offered full service so that they could have the oil changed or the engine tuned up while the car was in the shop for body work. He was sending cars out for transmission work and alignments. Soon it made good sense to him to expand once again adding a full service shop to his operation. In 2009, operations moved into the second 5,000 square feet expansion of his building which now includes a full service shop, a body shop, and a paint shop and employees 19 people. The most dramatic feature of the new automotive service shop is the state of the art Hunter alignment machine, which is already programmed to service all makes and models of cars through the 2012 BMW's and Mercedes Benzes. The alignment machine is symbolic of Goldrick's commitment to equipping his shop with the best possible tools and materials available and staffing it with the best technicians and mechanics he can find. That one machine came with a price tag of more than $40,000. The scanning instruments in the shop are all new and are programmed to scan all makes and models of cars to the 2011 models, as well. Since the Hunter alignment machine was installed one month ago, it has been used to perform more than 50 alignments. Goldrick says his business is still growing, and he now employs a receptionist, an estimator, an office manager, and a general manager. His wife, Theresa, works only part-time now, coming in to oversee office operations. His role, too, has changed dramatically. He seldom works on the shop floor but spends his time out drumming up new business, overseeing the operations, and planning the next expansion. He has purchased the lot adjacent to his building and is once again looking to the future. When asked to what he attributes his success, he credited his and the employees' commitment to providing the best possible service and work at a fair price. He also said that, like him, the employees have a passion for what they do and an attitude of friendliness for the customer. ''Our goals are to put out an excellent product and create customer satisfaction,'' they explain. He also said his determination to keep up with the technology helps business. His staff already has worked on dozens of 2010 vehicles. As Goldrick said, ''If you don't keep up with the times, you'll be left out.'' Tom Thompson is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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