Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2021

103 www.BestOfMP.com | www.BestOfMP.Video | www.VOICEforMP.com/BestOfInterviews BEST OF 2021 2021 W W W . B E S T O F M P . C O M A lthough auto repair businesses have been ruled as “essential” during COVID-19, the majority have experienced reduced sales, resulting in layoffs and pay reductions. However, Automotive Excellence, recently recognized as one of Mount Pleasant’s Best Auto Repair Businesses, has managed to keep its crew, positive attitude and forward momentum, even during these difficult times. As Co-owner Johnny Page put it, “In this business, you either fall down the ladder or you climb it; you can’t just hang onto the rungs. Despite the virus, we are still having a good year.” Page and his wife Hollis share their commitment to treating both employees and customers like family. They know they are blessed to still be in operation. The Pages have found one of the secrets to surviving and thriving in tough times: Make your customers your top priority, not by just offering good service but by building long-term relationships. Because he is a hands-on owner, Page is always in one of his two business locations. He knows his customers by name and can recall the work performed on their vehicles. His crew are equally dedicated and often requested by name. When COVID-19 struck, Page sat down with his team to develop a game plan with protocols that would keep everyone as safe as possible. While he committed to walking with them through this uncertain territory, he also challenged them to be as safe as possible on the job and in their off-work time. Immediate protective health measures included social distancing, closing the small front offices, limiting the number of people in the larger spaces and having more customer conversations outside. Other safety measures include having customers drop off their vehicles without coming inside to chat and paying by phone or online rather than in person. Employees wear gloves and masks while in their customers’ vehicles and disinfect all the touch points upon job completion. Drop- off keys are sanitized before and after usage. With COVID-19 lurking everywhere, people have been less inclined to drive as much, especially if they can skip unnecessary trips. On the other hand, some are driving more to avoid public transportation. Page encouraged customers to keep maintaining their vehicles, including oil changes, tire rotations and leisurely drives. “If your vehicle is parked, at least drive it around the block once a week,” he suggested. Mount Pleasant has shown that it values Automotive Excellence and Johnny Page, and this business owner is proud of his community in return. “We, as a town, need to keep standing up for each other and with each other. It is hard to watch good, hard-working people collapse under the current stresses. We need each other now more than ever,” the caring mechanic said with a slight catch in his throat. BY JANET E. PERRIGO For more information, visit Automotive Excellence at 1237 Ben Sawyer Blvd. (843-216-1599) or at 1084 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. (843-881-1078). Keeping the “Excel ” in Excellence Automotive Excellence Automotive Excellence makes customers the top priority, not by just offering good service but by building long-term relationships.