At Fix Auto Mount Vernon, just north of Seattle, WA, several generations of multiple families have served the drivers of the local area, taking their role as a small, independent business in the community to heart, on National Mom and Pop Business Day -- celebrated March 29 -- and every day.
Fix Auto Mount Vernon, formerly Dally's Auto Body, is locally owned and operated by Gloria Hulst and Raymon Bonner. This dynamic team also runs Fix Auto Kenmore.
“Our family members have been involved from the beginning,” said Hulst. “My parents purchased this collision repair facility in 1988. Before that, another family owned it -- and they started it in 1935! Our business and its legacy are so ingrained in Skagit County that, to this day, we advertise that Fix Auto Mount Vernon was Dally’s Auto Body. At one time, we had seven family members working here, and today we have four of our family on the job.”
National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day was established by Rick and Margie Segel, in honor of their parents and the successful hat shop they opened in 1939 and grew into a 10,000-square-foot, $2 million clothing shop. It is a special day to appreciate the long hours, hard work and dedication it takes to run a small business.
The connection with the community has been a key component for Hulst and Bonner and their team, serving those most in need.
“We have always been involved with our community,” said Hulst. “Whether being a drop point for collecting sleeping bags for the homeless, raising money for community events or supporting the Rotary and Helping Hands food bank, we believe that giving back is part of our role as a local business.”
Hulst noted being a locally owned family business is incredibly hard but rewarding.
“I have always found that business ownership is inviting and rewarding,” she said. “Being able to make decisions that affect our employees and our community make it that much more worthwhile. We want to give back and help inspire the next generation of leaders for our community, from providing a first job opportunity to a 16-year-old, to hiring a young technician and paying for their I-CAR classes, it’s rewarding to be able to give back."
Fix Auto Mount Vernon is already planning for the next generation of family leadership. Adam Bonner is set to purchase the business and continue the legacy of serving the community as a local, independent mom-and-pop business.
