For the Marinellis, this is the most “normal” Christmas season we’ve had in a long time (even with our son getting sick on Christmas Day). If you take a look back on this blog, you will see that it’s been a long while since anything new has been published. Let me be honest, it’s been a long while since our business or our family has had any kind of normalcy since beginning this business five years ago, particularly in the past 18-36 months relatively speaking. The point of this isn’t to go into detail of family or business ups and downs, and there have been an overwhelming amount. The point of this is to share with you that, despite our many challenges, we’re not giving up.
The past 18 months have been particularly hard with a combination of business challenges, and home/personal trials. It’s been taxing to say the least. Business challenges affect our personal lives and our personal lives affect our business. That’s what happens when you run a small family business. And have a toddler. And are married to your only co-worker. And have customers that you genuinely care about. It’s hard to keep that balance.
I (Bethany) told Andrew the other day that he’s like an icebreaker ship. He’s got a strong hull, a determined mindset, and plows through any obstacle that gets in his way with calculated precision. He paves the way for the rest of us to navigate the frozen waters. He’s been the foundation of our weathering stormy trials that have threatened us. Our son and I have been dependent on him both at home and at the shop to help us through. As you can imagine we’re both drained, but I can’t imagine the depth of Andrew’s weariness and yet he still plows on.
This year, we’re hoping to make some significant changes in our business that will not only allow our family to find a better balance, but our ability to care for our clients, too. Our clients are the heart of our business. If we’re not finding a good balance for our family and business, then we’re not serving you as well as we should.
If you are already a client, please keep giving us feedback on what would make your experience better. Please keep sending your friends and family to us. Your loyalty to us and those recommendations are what keep our business going in a sustainable direction. We want to stay here for you!
If you have yet to try us out, you are more than welcome to give us a call, even just to talk about your goals for your vehicle and what you are looking for in a repair shop. Our goal is never to sway you from a shop you already trust, but to become that shop if you don’t yet have one.
Whoever you are, we would like to help you find that balance of being satisfied with the safety and reliability of your vehicle while not stepping outside a reasonable budget.
If this holiday season has met you with trials and disappointment, please give us a call. We care about you beyond fixing your car. We would like to support you in whatever way we can.
Marinelli Auto Service is an auto repair shop in Winter Park, Florida. We’ve been serving Central Florida since 2015. We provide maintenance and repairs for a variety of makes and models.