Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Oursland.
Hi Shawn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been in the automotive industry for the last 10 years. I started at the Toyota factory, where I could get an inside look into how the new trucks and cars were being built. Afterward, I got an apprenticeship at my local Pep Boys, where I spent the next few years learning the different methods of diagnosing issues on all vehicle makes and models. I began working on getting my Automotive Service Excellence certifications so I could be an accredited technician. From Pep Boys, I moved onto a Nissan dealership where I learned how to completely tear down a new vehicle and re-assemble it without any signs that it had been touched. After a couple more years, I progressed to a Volvo dealership, where I continued the path of automotive knowledge—gaining multiple certifications for all the new vehicles, including electric cars. Being in the industry for so long, I’ve heard many horror stories and even witnessed situations where people have gotten taken advantage of. Being grouped in with those kinds of people makes me sick. So I sought to open my own business to ensure that honest work, fair prices, and peace of mind could be provided to my customers and trust could be restored in the eyes of the public.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It’s been a roller coaster journey for my first year. Being a single-person show, I realized how difficult it was to work 3 separate positions. One was the manager, getting all of the legal paperwork and executive decisions needed to be made. Second, behind the desk is managing appointments, sourcing parts, and creating customer quotes. Third was diagnosing and rearing the vehicles. Time management became very curtailed, and I soon found there needed to be more hours in the day. Three months into this journey, my wife got pregnant. Now I had new projects at home that needed prioritizing instead of spending every waking moment at the shop. Holidays came up, and as usual in this industry, we got to the season where people were not spending money on their vehicles but instead on gifts and trips. Putting a financial strain on a time were new bills were coming up. In those times, I truly learned the importance of building a community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an automotive technician, I specialize in diagnosing vehicle warning lights, electrical components, heating/air conditioning systems, braking systems, and heating and air conditioning systems. I am incredibly proud of my value to my customers by providing knowledgeable answers and transparency with the repairs needed. I differ from most independent shops by offering photos of the components’ conditions I recommend, reporting all services to Carfax, and maintaining a public digital service record which helps get the maximum resale value of the vehicle.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I hold certifications for total electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids up to 600 volts. Most electric vehicle people need to learn whether to take their vehicles other than the dealerships or even what services their vehicles may need.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shawnsstuffandservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnsautomotiverepair/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083570871089
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shawn-s-automotive-repair-san-antonio
