Meet Mike Kamminga | Automtive technician/ business owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Kamminga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business because I knew I had the skill set to be a successful owner after many years of experiences learning all the positives and negatives of the industry. I am very hard working and I can teach myself whatever I need to know to become successful. I also grew tired of working for others when I knew I could run their business better than them. I have a huge passion for helping others and fixing problems.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always had a passion for fixing cars and helping others. I originally went to automotive school right after high school but after a few short years I became a firefighter/ paramedic eventually ending up as a critical care paramedic on a medical helicopter. Hence my love for helping others and fixing problems. After many years in the medical field I eventually had to switch gears because I could not afford to live on that salary. I always worked on cars on the side however. So naturally I went back to my first career but this time as an owner. The journey has not been easy nor short. I have learned an abundance of information throughout the years. Cars change all the time and I work on all makes and models so the learning never stops. After years and years and over $100k in tools I slowly crafted my skills to become a well rounded automotive technician/ service advisor. I have had to overcome many problems throughout my career but to me I just don’t give up ever. Work each problem and learn from your failures and eventually you can succeed at almost anything. Time and patience. Time and patience. Some lessons I have learned along the way are doing quality work and being honest with your customers is huge. I listen to my customers to find out what is most important to them and try to cater to each one. Mike’s Garage CC is a small quality automotive shop that does honest work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Arizona it depends on what you’re into. For me personally, I am a big wake surfer during the summer and snowboard in the winters. There are many amazing outdoor things to do in this state though. Endless hiking or off roading. This state is absolutely beautiful and extremely diverse. Some great spots to check out though would be Lake Powell, Jerome, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Tombstone, horseshoe bend, Fossil Creek and the list goes on and on.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think working for many terrible corporate America companies that do not care about their employees is who I have to thank to really give me the drive to go out on my own and start my own business.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikesGarage85