As we approach an annual milestone and tradition in our magazine—honoring this year's Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award Winner—I'm reminded of a conversation I had with my wife last month.
In the middle of a disagreement, she pointed out how I sometimes work beyond normal business hours stating I work for free and have done so many times in my career. While I considered her words, I recalled how far we've come in 15 years, and I can say with certainty that I have never worked for free. I have worked for freedom. Those hours above and beyond I've done with my family's future in mind. In that, I take great pride.
When you're driven by a why as strong as family or service, it's not hard to go the extra mile. For shop owners in this issue's feature section, doing a little more led to them building profitable businesses that provide a good life for their families, bountiful employment for their team members, and the ability to share that success with their community in time and financial gifts.
This year, we're proud to present our annual Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award to Tom Schearer of Shearer's Service and Sales in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Tom is a class act who is admired by his family, his team, his community, and his industry peers.
You'll also read about Stacey Diaz of Wayside Garage in Seaside, California, and Charlie Zlatkos of Pleasant Car Care in Watertown, Massachusetts. Stacey and Charlie each have built more than just shops; they've created cultures, nurtured communities, and contributed to the health of our industry. Their stories remind us that true entrepreneurship isn't just about personal gain—it's about lifting others as we climb.
As you peruse these pages, I hope you'll be inspired by the dedication and vision of these three auto repair shop owners. They remind us that the grind of daily work, when driven by a higher purpose, can lead to extraordinary achievements. They show us that working for freedom—for ourselves and others—is perhaps the most noble pursuit of all.
