BusinessSeptember 17, 2018
Business Notebook: Women Auto Know: Amy Ybarra of GearHeads Auto Repair talks shop to educate, empower women
Amy Ybarra has learned a lot about car repair and maintenance in the 23 years she's been with her husband, Carlos. Together, they own GearHeads Auto Repair at 2961 Highway 25 in Jackson. And, in addition to offering car repair and maintenance checks, Ybarra said, the shop has a two-hour-long, hands-on seminar called "Women Auto Know" -- to help educate and empower women enough that they feel comfortable asking questions...
Amy Ybarra has learned a lot about car repair and maintenance in the 23 years she's been with her husband, Carlos.
Together, they own GearHeads Auto Repair at 2961 Highway 25 in Jackson.
And, in addition to offering car repair and maintenance checks, Ybarra said, the shop has a two-hour-long, hands-on seminar called "Women Auto Know" -- to help educate and empower women enough that they feel comfortable asking questions.
"No one knows your car better than you," Ybarra said to a crowd of about 90 women gathered Thursday at the Jackson Civic Center for the Women's Impact Network luncheon, hosted by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce.
But, she said, it's incredibly important to be able to describe any new sounds or smells the car is making.
And if the problem disappears once the car's in the shop? "Take a video of it, and email it to the shop," Ybarra advised. Or make sure to be able to describe what the noise is: "When I'm going 30 miles per hour up a hill and I turn right, the brakes are mushy," she said as an example.
"Don't feel bad making motions and sounds," she added. "Sometimes they'll know exactly what you're talking about."
In her opinion, Ybarra said, brakes are of utmost importance.
"When you start to hear scratching, grinding or metal-on-metal, get them checked," she said.
If caught early enough, only brake pads would need to be replaced, and not the rotors, Ybarra said.
Ybarra also recommended having the car's owner's manual in the glove box, along with the phone numbers for the insurance company and towing company, in case cellphone service is spotty when a car starts acting up.
She recommended keeping a car emergency kit, as well, which should include a blanket, water, tire-pressure gauge, flares, coveralls, pepper spray -- and jumper cables, in case of a dead battery.
"Connect the red wire first," she said. "That's the positive one. It goes either to the red battery terminal or the one marked with a plus sign."
Then connect the black wire to the negative terminal, she said.
"You never know when you may need to save somebody's life," Ybarra said.
Finally, she said, "Know where your spare tire is, and know how to change it."
Having a relationship with the car shop is important, Ybarra said. Being able to ask questions when a potential issue first presents itself means the shop can give a customer an idea how many miles the vehicle has before repairs become necessary, "so you can build it into your budget," she said.
And, she said, it's important for people to familiarize themselves with their cars to help guard against being taken advantage of. Some less reputable shops might claim an air filter needs to be changed, for instance, and show a dirty one that isn't even the right shape.
"The automotive industry has great people," she said, though they might be rough around the edges. "They're in the service industry. They want to help."
New distinction for Robinson Construction
Robinson Construction Co. recently earned status as a RAVS Plus Contractor by ISNetworld (ISN), the global leader in contractor and supplier management, according to a recent news release.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
RAVS (Review and Verification Services) Plus is an audit tool implemented by ISN that enables it to determine the validity of questions answered and documentation uploaded into a contractor's account.
ISNetworld RAVS Plus conducted face-to-face interviews with Robinson field personnel to determine the company's actual safety practices.
Robinson corporate safety manager Eugene Besand said in the release, "ISN allows us to easily report and update our qualifications with our current ISN clients. It also affords us the opportunity to gain new clients."
1st Class Travel earns honor
The Mark Travel Corp., or TMTC, recently announced the induction of 1st Class Travel as a member of the 500 Club in 2018. This program, established more than 30 years ago, recognizes travel agencies that are top supporters and producers of TMTC's four brands: Funjet Vacations, United Vacations, Southwest Vacations and Blue Sky Tours.
The 500 Club is a program based on relationships, recognition and rewards for travel agencies who have had outstanding sales and service achievements in the last year.
As an expert in Mark Travel's extensive product offering, 1st Class Travel has access to value opportunities at certain hotels and resorts in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.
Additionally, 1st Class Travel has access to the latest industry technology, allowing its travel agents to customize and personalize vacations based on consumers' preferences.
Ribbon cuttings
Rusted Route Farms will hold a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at 5739 Route W in Jackson. The cutting will celebrate the new bridal suite.
Heartland Custom Flooring will hold a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at 211 N. Spring Ave. in Cape Girardeau. The cutting will celebrate the new location.
Business licenses
Vuthea Sith applied for a license to operate Donut Palace, a restaurant serving prepared doughnuts and breakfast sandwiches, at 1741 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. The business open date is listed as Oct. 5.
People on the Move
Saint Francis Healthcare System recently announced the addition of board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Thomas E. Kelly as a medical partner. He joins the team at Cape Gastroenterology Specialists. Kelly specializes in advance endoscopy.
Together, they will provide the region with care for gastrointestinal conditions, including abdominal pain, biliary disorders, Crohn's disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastroesophageal reflux, liver disorders, pancreatic disease, peptic ulcer disease, ulcerative colitis and other digestive disorders, according to a news release.
Kelly earned his medical degree at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He completed an internship and residency at Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center and a gastroenterology fellowship at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia.
Saint Francis also recently added Dr. Tamara Shafer as medical director of the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center.
Shafer is board certified and earned her medical degree in family medicine from Ross University School of Medicine in North Brunswick, New Jersey.
mniederkorn@semissourian.com
(573) 388-3630
Story Tags
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
