Know Someone Who Really Stands Out In Your Community?

There’s a big perception out there that most mechanics can’t be trusted. In every industry, you’re going to have the bad apples and it’s no different in auto repair. The reason why I went to trade school was because I didn’t feel comfortable taking my car in for service, so now I’m a licensed auto repair technician at my own shop, AutoNiche.

When I started my business, I knew I didn’t want to open a place that was like the vast majority of independent shops. I knew that my shop had to make an effort to build better relationships with clients, and a big part of our business was letting customers know that we are here to benefit our community. There are many ways to run an auto repair shop but the good shops value relationships and know that there is much more than just getting the sale.

I’m proud to know that there are others in the automotive industry who genuinely share the same values when it comes to client relationships and community. CARSTAR Collision and Glass is Canada’s leading collision repair franchise and they are stepping up to shine the spotlight on the good that is happening in our industry.

Throughout the summer, CARSTAR is running their Random Acts of Shineness 50-city cross-country tour where they are encouraging Canadians to submit nominations for any deserving person who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to give back to their communities or support families and friends.

I firmly believe that we are all here to make the best use of our time and talents.

Canadians who are interested in nominating themselves or a "Shining Star" they know can do so by visiting www.actsofshineness.com or the CARSTAR Facebook page to complete the nomination form. Tell CARSTAR what  your nominee does to make a difference in someone else’s lives or their community and why you think they are deserving of the award.

Nominees have a chance to win one of five prizes of $2,500 for their favourite charity AND a $2,500 personalized prize from CARSTAR! The personalized prizing portion will be determined with each recipient, depending on his/her wishes, and may include cash, gifts or experiences valued at a total of $2,500.

Tour Ambassadors for the program will also be raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada (CARSTAR’s national charity for more than 15 years!) while performing random acts of kindness across Canada. I have a personal connection to Cycstic Fibrosis Canada which makes me even more happy share the Random Acts of Shineness program with you. Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui, the doctor who discovered the cystic fibrosis gene and was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2012, is a family friend. I have great memories of playing with his kids during my childhood — I'd never guess that 20 years later I'd be writing an automotive blog post that ties into his work!

If you know someone who deserves praise for serving others, then nominate that special person today and encourage him or her to keep bringing "shineness" into everyone's lives — be sure that their generosity doesn’t go unnoticed!