DRIVE is excited to highlight BILL’S CRESTMOOR AUTOMOTIVE of Denver, CO for the month of May.

If you would’ve asked shop owner, Chris Probst, if she thought she’d be a shop owner, her answer would be, “NO WAY!” But 18 years ago, Chris and her husband, Bill, decided to buy the shop that Bill had worked at for the past 28 years! And now, business is thriving.

 

However, their small shop was not always as successful as it is now. For quite some time Chris and her husband found themselves spending the majority of their time trying to just keep the shop afloat every month. They were missing out on quality family time and constantly stressing over financials.

 

Finally, Chris and Bill decided to turn to DRIVE who helped them increase their business tremendously. Plus DRIVE gave them the training and knowledge to become leaders in their own shop.

 

“Since working with DRIVE my creativity has been abundant, and I continue to learn everyday how to be a better leader and business owner.” -Chris Probst

 

Chris states that she now feels comfortable enough to stand in front of her team and communicate new ideas and thoughts. She believes that shops only get out of DRIVE what they are willing to put in and that it’s important to trust the advice of others and take risks in order to overcome what seems like the impossible. Chris and Bill stand by the great Henry Ford quote, “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

 

To anyone opening up their own repair shop, Chris would tell you to just “believe in yourself and the people around you.” Learning from her own past experience, she also believes that it is okay to ask for help from the support around you and to not be afraid to take risks.

 

One of Chris’ most favorite things about her shop is the family environment that has been created between team members and customers. She feels that their “customers are more than a sale and [their] team members are more than a paycheck.” Although they have only owned the shop for 18 years, Bill had worked there for 28 years earlier. They have helped generations of families throughout the years and have befriended many of their customers. And their incredible customers have taken genuine interests in the Probst family; coaching their kids on choosing the right college and career path to helping Chris out with completing her bachelor’s degree in Human Services.

BILL’S CRESTMOOR AUTOMOTIVE is located in Southeast Denver – close to awesome ski slopes and the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Chris says no matter where you go, someone has something in common with another and it seems that the community truly does care about one another. Chris has always held a passion to help the community and she credits DRIVE and fellow shop owners with helping her find resources in order to do so. During this current pandemic, Chris says she has been pleasantly surprised by their customers reaching out to the shop for repairs in order to support their small business. BILL’S CRESTMOOR AUTOMOTIVE is also doing their part, offering to deliver hand sanitizer and toilet paper to whoever is in need. In order to adjust their business during the time of Coronavirus, Chris says they’re extending hours, increasing marketing efforts, and making over 500 wellness calls per week around their community. With DRIVE’s encouragement and help, there isn’t a marketing action she hasn’t taken. Chris looks forward to continuing these marketing initiatives after the current crisis.

 

The motto Chris and her team goes by:

“We are a small shop, but we are a mighty team!” -Chris Probst

 

Some of the best advice she received before buying the shop was, “Always love what you do, and the moment you don’t love it anymore, sit back and think about why.” And it is very clear that Chris and her husband, Bill, love their shop, love their customers, and love what they do!

 

Congratulations to our May Shop Spotlight – BILL’S CRESTMOOR AUTOMOTIVE!!!

 

 

MOTOR AGE ARTICLE LINK

SHOP OWNER MAGAZINE LINK

ABRN NEWSLETTER LINK (Automotive Body Repair News)