Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa & Cody Poster.
Hi Melissa & Cody, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Kelly’s Service was opened in the 1980’s, after retirement of the previous owner Kelly, Cody and Melissa Poster took over as first time business owners.
Cody served in the US Army for nine years prior, then went to school at Central Lakes College (CLC) to earn a degree in Diesel Mechanics.
Melissa formerly worked as a Parks and Recreation Specialist, and now also works at Kelly’s as the full time marketing & outreach director and co-owner.
They have been married for Two and half years, and owners of Kelly’s two years this coming July.
As newer owners, it was a leap of faith that brought them to this moment, and in the process has taught them many life lessons. There are hard days and good days, but they make an excellent team balancing each other out both at work and at home.
Recently they’ve been taking on many project to improve the site, such as remodeling the outdoor signs and various parts of the shop. They are also very involved in community projects and major supporters of local businesses.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
They’re still learning the ropes! Everyday brings new challenges. There’s so much more to being owners than simply turning on the “open” sign and unlocking the doors. Between navigating business taxes and payroll to figuring out the daily problems with vehicles it’s a lot to handle. “We are a very small team, of three full time mechanics, (two are over the age of 70 and have been with Kelly’s longer than we’ve been alive.)” Melissa says.
“We take it one day at a time, one fire at a time and try our best to overcome any situation given to us. It’s a taxing job both physically and mentally and so much more complicated than people realize, but we lean on each other to make it through the rough times and celebrate the good times.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kelly’s Service ?
Kelly’s Service first opened in 1980- and has been a community staple ever since. They specialize in automotive mechanics, both car and truck and do oil changes, tune ups, brakes, diagnostics, tires, code reading and everything in between. Kellys is through and through a family run business- “We do not have a big call center or countless employees, we care very deeply for our community and those we serve. We always strive to do our best work, to ensure our employees are happy and if something goes wrong we fix it.”
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
“We love being a small company.” Bigger isn’t necessarily better. Over then next couple years their plan is to improve the current shop by putting in new floors, updating equipment, and overall ensuring it is the best possible for their customers and our mechanics.
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