Today we’d like to introduce you to Fred Floyd, Jr
Hi Fred, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I guess you could say I got my start at birth, because I am the 3rd generation working in our business. My grandpa started Bob’s Truck Care in 1975, and I have never known life without it. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and self-employment is what I’ve known most of my life. I started out working in our families Hallmark Store’s and Christian Bookstores, that we owned through most of the 90’s and into the early 2000’s. When we closed our retail stores in 2004, the auto repair shop is the only thing that lasted once the dust settled. At that time I went to work for various companies in order to support my wife who was completing her degree at the time. In all I spent about 11 years outside of the family business until I returned in early 2015. At that time I had been working as an operator at one of the local refineries, and we went on strike, so my dad put me to work so I could make ends meet. After about a month of being back with my family, I felt that this is where I needed to be, so I never went back to the plant. During that transitional time we were moving from our original location on Strawberry Rd in Pasadena to our current location on Hwy 225 and I was able to help with the move. Since that time I have acted as the Business Manager/Treasurer for our company. Over the last 6 years I have been working to make our company the best in our industry, while providing a safe, healthy working environment in which our employees can grow and excel at their craft. But the best part of all of this has been my incredible, hard working wife who has put up with me for over 18 years. She has been my rock and the best support I could hope for, all while raising our 3 wonderful boys. Through all of the ups and downs of my working career she has been my constant, and I am only successful because of her.
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?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Growing up in a family owned business creates many different dynamics, because not only are you family but you are business partners. However, I have learned so much from my family and have come to understand so many business principles that we operated in the beginning and still hold to today. One of the hardest things I have faced was the closing down of our retail stores and begin laid off. It was at that time that I was forced to find work outside the family business for the first time in my life. Although it was a difficult time for us, I saw a lot of personal growth during those years and I learned a lot from the companies that I had the opportunity to work for. Between being laid off from several companies, going through a union strike, and the ups and downs of working with family, I can’t say that I would change anything. The struggles I have faced in my life have only made me stronger and given me a greater appreciation for family and the blessing of owning our own business. I know that without facing adversity then I would not have the character I need to take our company into the future. And this is the same character I hope to instill into our employees so they can work with us to take this business to the next generation.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Bob’s Truck Care is a full service auto repair shop located in Pasadena, TX. We specialize in all aspects of auto repair, including but not limited to: brakes, front end, computer diagnostics, oil changes, state inspections, and the list could go on and on. We work on any type of vehicle but our main focus is on fleet work for the oil and gas industry that is dominate in our area. Mobile Auto Pros specializes in all areas of automotive technology. We have the ability to program computers, complete ADAS calibrations, diagnose and repair electrical systems, and much more. In everything that we do we pride ourselves in being a one stop shop for our customers. We are not concerned with making a quick buck, but we are focused on our customers and making sure their vehicles are safe to go down the road. We believe in being honest and upfront with everything that is going on with a vehicle so the customer can make an informed decision about what repairs they desire to make. We always stand behind our work and do our best to make sure the customer has the best experience possible when they come to us. We are also focused on our employees. I believe that if we can create a safe, healthy work environment for our employees then we can help them fulfill their full potential in life. When someone knows and understands their purpose and what they are working for, then I believe they will be more productive and in turn our product will be superior to our competitors.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I have learned is to stop and try to understand someone else’s point of view. I thought this was a lesson I had learned before, but when faced with a topic that can be divisive, like wearing or not wearing masks, I learned very quickly that sometimes my own opinion is not always right. So when I saw opposing views become so polarizing, and people start to attack each other over different points of view, I realized that maybe I wasn’t as understanding as I should be. The lesson that I hope to carry away from Covid is to seek to understand someone else first, instead of judging them because they believe something differently than I do. If we could all learn to respect each other, whether we agree or not, then our society would be a lot better off.
Contact Info:
- Email: fred.jr@bobstruckcare.com
- Website: www.bobstruckcare.com, www.mobileautopros.us
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobstruckcare, https://www.facebook.com/mobileautopros
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bobs-truck-care-pasadena, https://www.yelp.com/biz/mobile-auto-pros-pasadena
