Today we’d like to introduce you to John Shipley.
Hi John, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Mercer Island, WA. From a young age, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur and fit in with the people I was surrounded by. Naturally, at a young age I did not know what it would take to accomplish my lofty goals and dreams. I was coming up with business ideas while I was in middle school and studied what other business’s were doing that were successful. I would spend hours late at night on my computer making practice websites, finding ways to market business ideas. I never took action on any of them, because I was still young and didn’t have much to get started. By the time I reached high school, I was involved in sports, and getting my driver’s license as soon as possible. My mother and I shared her only car, a red 1997 Jeep grand Cherokee. My mother knew how much I liked to be able to drive myself to school, and crew practice, and my part time job at a fish market. So I would take her to the bus stop in the morning so she could go to work, and then I would pick her up or she would take a transfer back to our home when she was able to get off work. This went on for a little while. It was time I bought my first car. I searched craigslist and Facebook, and google for the cheapest, coolest car I could find. I went to go with my mom to look at a 1990 BMW 525i, also known as the E34. My mom bought it for me! I was so excited that I was able to have something that was mine, and cool like the rest of my friends. I was able to drive the car home and for about 3 days. Then the car broke down and would no longer go into gear and overheated. This is where my journey as a BMW Master certified Technician started. I started to learn about how to repair the car, because I didn’t have the ability to take it to a shop and have it repaired. So I started working on BMW’s while I was in high school, and my friends that had old BMW’s and other vehicles. It was a small group of friends that spent their nights working on each others cars, playing music, and enjoying drives to Seattle or around “The Island” to our favorite lake spots. I did not do very well academically in school because it never interested me at the time. I was even told by my auto shop teacher ” you will never make it at UTI or get into the BMW”. However, I did quickly accel at learning to work on cars. I was the Auto shop class leader and later after graduation went on to Universal Technical Institute’s campus in Avondale, Arizona. I spent a year and a half learning at an accelerated rate , all of the systems of vehicles, from Advanced electrical diagnostics and repair, to Engine performance and rebuilds. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding times in my life that I like to look back on.
My goal was to get into the BMW STEP program, which at the time had tough requirements. A minimum GPA requirement, ACT testing requirements, ASE certifications, and an interview with the STEP program director at BMW North America. I was able to maintain my grades throughout the “Core program”. I then moved on to the Ford Accelerated Credential Training program, and completed that program as a graduate earning my self the title of Ford certified Technician. I then applied to the BMW STEP program. I will never forget how nervous I was during my interview and how hard I had worked to get to that one single interview that would change my life forever. I was accepted! This was one of my largest accomplishments up to that point in my life. I was soon reminded that just because we were accepted, did not mean we were done. The next six months was a constant reminder of the new, high standards we would be brought to of our class of 15 students. We had heard the stories of how students were kick out of the program for not following protocols or standards. Dropping below a 90% on any test, quiz, or homework would be considered for removal from the program and $10,000 dollars would have to be paid back for the program. I went on to be a graduate from the BMW STEP program as a Level 1 Technician, which is the highest level BMW has for certification.
I was then re-located to a BMW dealership in Houston to start my career and build up my hands on experience and knowledge to become one of the best in my field. I was always very competitive and wanted to become the best at what I do. I asked to be sent to training continuously. I became Hybrid vehicle , High voltage vehicle, Diesel vehicle, Hardtop system, certified with BMW and many more over the years. Since 2014 I worked at the BMW dealership until it no longer satisfied that hunger and drive I had. In 2020 I started our shop called “Shipley Automotive”. I was able to hire my first employee who was also a student at Universal Technical Institute who I trained about BMW, Audi, Ford, Chevy vehicles. Today we are a full service European specialist shop and also servicing Domestic vehicles such as Ford and Chevrolet. I had a lot of help from my Wife, Amanda and her Mom, and moral support from my family to never give up and to follow my dreams. I had so many people up to this point from teachers to managers, friends, all say that I would never get to this point. I was not taken seriously. Now I strive to be the best service department in my area and be a part of our community. Hopefully one day we will be known for all we can do, and for all the people that are currently in similar situations growing up and have aspirations that we can show them it can be done.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a service shop specializing in European vehicles has not been an easy road. Everyday I am learning about ways to improve and become a top leader in the industry. Being an entrepreneur can be financially tough sometimes to know that your business and employees come first before you do. Being a leader to the young technicians we have is something I always think about, and find ways that I can be the best leader to them, and not let my team down like those before me let me down. Growing the company to a larger scale has been difficult because I only accept the best of the best and that goes for our equipment as well. Growing too large to quick can be an issue and it is more important to focus on what you have at hand and maximize those resources, and “fine tune” our systems and processes so that our clients have a consistent and positive service experience with us, is always our goal.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in full service repair and maintenance on all models of BMW. I am known for always providing a transparent service experience, and providing the client with an understanding about their vehicle. I am known for getting the job done right the first time and changing the way clients see service departments. I am most proud of my company and what we as a team have built, from where we started to where we are now.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned is to continuously improve, and be the best at what you do, and to be flexible and open-minded as your life and business go through different stages.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shipleymotors.com
- Instagram: @shipleyautomotive
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shipleyautorepair
