Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Gaylord.
Hi Victor, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After being in the automotive industry for about 1 decade, I made some rather poor life decisions, that took me away from everything. My business partner & I had worked together before, and built a strong friendship, prior to “that time”, and he must have seen something in me, that I didn’t. He came to see me and told me that if I ever wanted a second chance, he would do anything he could to help me. So, he gave me a job, and despite knowing my strength as a technician, made me start from the very bottom. It only took three months before he handed me the keys to the kingdom, so to speak, as his shop manager. After a huge move to a better location, followed by several years of success, we decided to buy & build this HUGE double shop, where we do all types of repairs on one side, and, my passion, building hot rods, kustoms & classics on the other side! They said I couldn’t make up for lost time, but I didn’t believe them, and I am glad I didn’t. I mean, I believe nothing I hear and only half of what I see, and every day I can’t believe what I see, when I look at the dream that is my life, all because one person cared enough to give me a shot, and another couple were willing to stay through it all. They know who they are!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been all rainbows and sunshine, that’s for sure. Just getting the building done in time, and the way we wanted, even with a year+ of lead-time, was a huge task. We barely got in the door with no time to spare and had to keep running the business from two locations for about 1 week, but we got it done! Turn the clock forward several months in the new shop, and doing killer amounts of business, COVID hit. There was a lot of worry and concern over what that was going to do to our new business, but we actually did pretty well. I would have to say that the biggest effect it had on us was the keeping of employees, and finding of good employees, over the last few years. But the team/family we have here has done really well, and our customers are more like friends than customers. They stop by regularly just to see what kind of cool cars, or new antiques we have in the shop, or just to come say hi to our dogs. We’d love to say it’s to see us, but we know better. We are still looking for maybe one more member to join our family, but will hold out for the “right one”.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Been a mechanic/technician for better than half my life, and actually further back than that. I have always been good at diagnosing and fixing things, even at a young age. At one point there was nothing that we/I wouldn’t work on here, for our customers. Always loved that this business offered challenges daily. Still does to this day. We have been in this community for more than 13 years, with me at the helm, and have won many distinguished awards here, and held car shows, concerts, and even exotic petting zoos for the community.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The shop, as a whole, is more like an exhibit, or museum than just your run-of-the-mill mechanic shop, and that in itself brings a lot of attention and joy to people, especially our more vintage customers and neighbors. I truly Love what I do, and getting up to come and “work” in this place. Building other people’s dreams, when it comes to our hot rod shop, is the most rewarding part of this business, to me. The joy and happiness of making someone’s dream come true. Like restoring a loved one’s classic for their daughter or son, is pure.
Contact Info:
- Website: SPAutoRincon.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandPAutomotiveRinconGA
Image Credits
Bombshell Baddies.
