Stan's Automotive helps people, not just cars | Tekmetric

Stan's Automotive: Giving & Receiving at the Core

Scott Elmore returned to his father's auto repair business after building houses, initially uninterested in fixing cars. His father advised him that Stan’s is not about fixing cars—it’s about helping people solve problems. This philosophy has guided the business since its founding in 1973 by Stan & Donna in Lafayette, which has grown from a small town of 4,000 to a community of about 100,000. Today, Scott and his team repair a full range of vehicles and continue to refine their approach to serving the community.

47 Years of Quality, Care, and Giving Back

Scott learned from his father that the business is about relationships, not just repairs. He emphasizes that family values are business values, shaping how staff and clients are treated. Many staff members have been with the shop for decades, and Scott feels a strong loyalty to them. The team supports each other, especially during personal emergencies, prioritizing people over business when necessary. This approach has helped the business grow and remain sustainable.

My fundamental philosophy is that if you live to help other people win, then ultimately you're going to win, too.

The shop treats everyone like family and stays involved in the community’s success.

Helping the Community Succeed

Stan’s Automotive has grown alongside Lafayette and feels a responsibility to give back. The business partners with schools, community groups, and supports local programs. Scott and his wife also do mission work in Ecuador. Most of the marketing budget is set aside to help people, rather than traditional advertising.

Examples include:

• ​Supporting a school band’s booster program with coupons that generated $6,500 for the program.
• ​Collecting food for the local food bank and supporting Meals on Wheels through donations from the shop’s coffee and soda bar.
• ​Providing free auto repairs for those in need, such as fixing a heater for a new resident from Florida or helping families referred by the police or local churches.

Scott believes that nurturing relationships is key to long-term success, even if some consider it “old school.”

Adopting a New Shop Management System

Stan’s Automotive has evolved through various shop management systems, from paper and pencil to UNIX and DOS-based systems, then to RO Writer for over a decade. In 2018, after a disastrous switch to a new software that was acquired by another company, Scott sought a better solution and found Tekmetric.

Tekmetric’s intuitive processes allowed the team to adapt quickly without extensive manuals. The system empowers both staff and clients, offering multiple communication options (text, email, call) and improving the client experience. Scott appreciates that Tekmetric listens to shop owners and addresses real pain points, unlike other systems that force shops to adapt to the software.

For more information about Stan's Automotive, visit stansautomotive.com.