MWACA: Together We Succeed

I AM HONORED to address you as the first female president of the Midwest Auto Care Alliance (MWACA). As a founding member, my passion and focus mirrors our association's. In my first letter, I want to share my journey, struggles, and unwavering commitment to our industry as a repair shop owner.

My first encounter repairing a car consisted of a large oak tree and a come-along to pull the engine out of my husband Mark’s 1971 Chevrolet Nova. Mark's gift of educating others through his passion for the automotive industry empowered me to be an independent woman in doing my repairs and helping others. Performing my repairs is where I found my passion for helping others and advocating for the consumer. Mark and I opened our shop, Affinity Automotive, in Wichita, Kansas, in 2008 and quickly learned we did not know how to grow a business and would need industry-specific help if we were going to succeed.

With the help of MWACA, we learned how to grow our business through industry-specific coaches, training to keep up with the technol- ogy of vehicles, peer groups, industry networking events, mentorships, and friendships with other shop owners nationwide. MWACA also helped by allowing us to combine our membership power to get better pricing and tremendous opportunities. It’s exciting to know that the knowledge Mark and I have gained through the years can help grow the next generation as we pass on our own experiences and prevent others from making the same mistakes.

If you have an area in the automotive industry that interests you more than others, please consider volunteering at the local or execu- tive levels of MWACA. Over the years, through my involvement with MWACA and the local chapters, I have discovered my calling beyond the repair shop. I have become a motivational speaker, a business mentor, and an advocate for the future of the automotive industry. My mission is to be a great leader within our company and empower other shop owners to break through their own barriers and thrive in this ever-evolving industry.

I am excited about the opportunities ahead as we look to the future. Our industry will continue to evolve, and we must grow with it. Let us use this opportunity to adapt to change and support one another on this journey. Together, we will survive and thrive in the independent automotive repair industry.

Today, as I take the role of president, I want to emphasize the importance of unity within our organization. We are stronger and can overcome the challenges that lie ahead. We must remain neutral to the obstacles and differences that may try to divide us and instead focus on what unites us.

SUMMER GUERRERO
President