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Page 1 of 2 Cars! Even before he could drive them, Gary Butler was working on them. He grew up in the Bay area, where he began to rebuild vehicles at age 13. By the time he was sixteen, he could replace everything on the car—from mechanical to auto body. “That’s all I did,” said Butler. “This is what I was born to do.”
After graduating high school in 1970, Butler jumped right into the auto business by working for a towing company. Through on-the-job training, he learned how to run a business, and eventually, an autobody business. Dealing with all the regulations and understanding customer service led him to the skills he needed to operate his own business.
On February 15, 1985, Butler purchased Mic’s Auto Body, a shop in which he had worked and set about to run his own company. From a 3,200 square foot shop, within five years the shop grew to three stores, which were subsequently consolidated into one large facility. Over time, the shop phased out the mechanical and shifted totally to autobody. Butler has ridden the ups and downs of the industry, coming out on the successful side due to the quality service provided by the shop.
For the customer, Mic’s offers one-stop billing, timely parts ordering, a lifetime nationwide written guarantee, and an important feature—no waiting for an insurance adjuster.
Step Two: Curley & Red’s
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Butler had his eye on Curley & Red’s for a long time before he acquired the facility. Once the opportunity arose, he was not going to let chance pass him by. In 2008, after a year of negotiations, it was finally his. The entire shop has now been revamped, complete with new equipment. Remarkably, the shop continued to operate at full tilt while the renovations took place.
Located in Half Moon Bay, the shop has the additional advantages of being the only game in town. And it is close to Butler’s home. He spends mornings at Mic’s, then Curley & Red’s for the afternoon.
And the Butler’s business just keeps on growing. The goal is to have five new shops within the next five years.
Family-owned and operated
This facility opens up a number of opportunities for the Butler’s two sons, who have come into the business. While Tyler runs the towing business at Curley & Red’s in Half Moon Bay, Brhett will be working on aftermarket installations, prefabs for suspension, and accessories, especially for the “tuner” generation.
Brhett has worked himself up from washing cars to accounting, payroll and managing employees. “He has learned so much of the business and I would like to continue to see him grow with the company. Brhett has started to put together aftermarket parts, suspension, and accessories that the younger generation is using to tune up their vehicles.
“Having your family working with you is an absolute blessing,” commented Butler. “It is a most heartwarming situation to see your young adults every day and watch them grow.”
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