We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anna Gahramanov a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Anna, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
In our journey with Car Geeks Collision, my husband Russ and I started from the ground up. With no formal background, we immersed ourselves in books and self-education, learning every aspect of our trade. This experience wasn’t just about growing a business; it was a deeply personal journey of building ourselves from the inside out.
Each challenge we faced and every mistake we made taught us invaluable lessons that books alone couldn’t offer. This hands-on learning process was a key component in building our confidence. We learned that success doesn’t come overnight; it’s a gradual process that requires patience and perseverance.
Setting small, achievable goals became our strategy. Crossing off each task on our list was more than just a step toward our business ambitions; it was a milestone in our personal development. These victories, no matter how small, played a crucial role in bolstering our self-esteem.
Moreover, we discovered the importance of persistence. With every hurdle we overcame, our belief in ourselves grew stronger. This wasn’t just about acquiring technical skills; it was about learning to trust in our ability to navigate challenges. Every success, every piece of knowledge gained, and every mistake turned lesson contributed to our growing confidence.
Our journey taught us that confidence and self-esteem are cultivated over time, nurtured by experiences, mistakes, and the patience to see the process through. Car Geeks Collision stands as a testament not only to our business achievements but to our personal growth. It’s a story of never giving up, constantly learning, and evolving through every experience.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
**A One-Stop Shop for All Your Car Needs: The Evolution of Our Brand**
From our humble beginnings as a small dealership, my husband Russ and I have always been driven by a vision to offer more to our customers. Our journey led us to expand into rental cars, and now, we’re proud to provide a comprehensive suite of services that includes an auto body shop, maintenance, and mechanical work. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to be the one-stop shop for all your car needs.
What sets us apart is not just the range of services we offer but our unwavering commitment to our clients. We understand that dealing with car issues can be stressful, which is why we strive to make every interaction with our shop as seamless and positive as possible. Our customers are our top priority, and we aim for everyone to leave our shop satisfied and confident in the knowledge that they’ve received the best service possible.
We’re excited to offer a range of customer-focused services that truly distinguish us in the automotive industry. For instance, we provide loaner cars so that our clients’ daily routines remain uninterrupted. We work directly with insurance companies to streamline the claim process, and we offer courtesy towing services to ensure convenience and peace of mind for our customers. Our goal is to do more for our clients than any other shop, easing the stress of car repairs and maintenance.
As we look to the future, we’re not just focused on maintaining our high standards of service; we’re constantly seeking ways to innovate and enhance our offerings. Whether it’s adopting new technologies, expanding our range of services, or training our team to the highest industry standards, we are dedicated to being number one in what we do.
For those interested in what’s new with our brand, we’re always looking to the horizon for opportunities to grow and improve. Whether it’s hosting community events, launching new services, or expanding our facilities, we’re excited about the future and eager to bring our customers along with us on this journey.
At the heart of our brand is a story of growth, dedication, and a passion for serving our community. We started with a dream, and through hard work and perseverance, we’ve built a business that we’re proud of. But more than that, we’ve created a place where our clients can feel valued and taken care of, knowing their car needs are in capable hands. That’s what makes our job exciting and special every day.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on the growth and evolution of Car Geeks Collision, a journey from a humble dealership to a one-stop auto care center, I’ve come to realize the importance of three fundamental principles that have underpinned our success. Firstly, the crucial role of teamwork and clear role definition cannot be overstated. From the outset, Russ and I understood the significance of leveraging each team member’s unique strengths, fostering an environment where everyone knows their role and its importance to our collective goals. This approach not only optimized our operations but also nurtured a sense of belonging and purpose among our team. Secondly, we recognized early on that the growth of our company was intrinsically linked to the personal and professional development of our team. By cultivating an environment where individual achievements are celebrated as part of the company’s success, we’ve been able to foster a culture of mutual support and collective growth. Lastly, persistence and the ability to innovate in the face of challenges have been central to our approach. Embracing obstacles as opportunities for growth and continually seeking out creative solutions has enabled us not just to navigate the ups and downs of business but to thrive amidst them. As Russ and I reflect on our journey, it’s clear that success in entrepreneurship is as much about how you navigate the path as it is about the destination. Our experience has shown us that building a strong team, fostering a growth-oriented culture, and maintaining resilience are key to overcoming challenges and achieving long-term success.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Reflecting on the journey of Car Geeks Collision and the evolution from a simple dealership to a comprehensive automotive service provider, it’s clear that while external advice and inspiration have their places, the most significant driver of our success has been our own inner drive and ambition. As business owners, Russ and I have found that self-motivation and a relentless pursuit of our goals have been irreplaceable. No one else can push you as hard as you can push yourself, nor can they overcome the obstacles that stand in your path without your own drive and ambition.
That being said, we’ve leaned heavily on external resources for knowledge and inspiration. Podcasts related to our industry and business books have been invaluable. We often revisit certain books, finding new insights and reminders of lessons we might have forgotten. Listening to the journeys of successful entrepreneurs, understanding their strategies, and adapting their successful practices into our business model has been enlightening. It’s a process of learning what works, who to hire, and which skills and qualities are essential for our team.
Building a successful business is far from easy. Behind every successful venture is an owner who has put in the time, effort, and has the persistence to assemble a team that shares their vision. Knowledge, as we’ve learned, comes with time, persistence, and continuous education. The landscape of business is ever-changing; what worked yesterday might not work today. Thus, we believe that any successful business owner never stops learning and evolving, keeping pace with the shifting dynamics of the world. This philosophy of constant learning and self-reliance, paired with strategic hiring and adapting successful practices from others, has been crucial in navigating the challenges and opportunities we’ve faced.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cargeekscollision.com
- Instagram: cargeekscollision
