Tire Review Highlights Female-Owned Auto Shop Known for Community Service

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Dec. 27, 2016 - PRLog -- Great Bear Auto Repair and Body Shop has been in business since 1933. Audra Fordin is the fourth generation owner of the family business. "Tires are one of my favorite auto parts, so it is an honor to be featured in Tire Review," she said.

Fordin got started at a young age. "I've been involved since I was eight years old," she said. "Most kids play with their friends on the weekend. I didn't do that. Instead, I spent Saturdays at the shop with my dad. That's how I learned the in's and out's of the auto repair business."

Fordin considers her three children a part of the family business. She has no intention of pushing them into a career in the auto industry, but enjoys their involvement. "Whether they choose to do it or not, that's their call," she said. "I want them to be happy most of all."

There is a shortage of qualified mechanics and technicians. For Fordin, this has been the hardest part of running an auto shop. "I had to learn how to train in-house, because the people coming out of school aren't prepared," she said. "The passion is there, but students need more practice in trade skills and customer service."

Fordin wants drivers to perceive mechanics as doctors for cars. "People view auto repair shops as scary places where you might get scammed," she said. "That's not typically true. Doctors don't sell you a shot to line their pockets. They sell you the shot, because you need the immunization… period! We apply the same philosophy."

Fordin understands why drivers are so anxious. She coined the phrase, "auto anxiety," to describe how drivers feel. In 2009, she began to host Women Auto Know workshops. It was the best decision she ever made for her business. "I took off the auto shop armor and saw how drivers feel," she said. "It really helped me relate. Now I am customer centric!"

Next, Fordin wants to help other auto shops excel at customer service. She created a training and certification program for person-to-person advisors (PPA's). Students will discover how to educate drivers and serve their community. "We're not in the sales business," said Fordin. "We're here to serve. Do that and the bottom-line will take care of itself."

To read the full interview at Tire Review, please visit: http://www.tirereview.com/proud-to-be-a-tire-dealer-audra...