To celebrate Fathers' Day, CARSTAR highlighted the work of a father-daughter duo working at one of its GTA locations.
In a press release, the banner shared the story of Ashley and Bisram Deokinandan, both members of the family that opened CARSTAR Newmarket in 2012.
Now in its 13th year of operation, both Deokinandans are working at the shop alongside Bisram's wife, Romena, and his son, Ryan. The report highlighted how Ashley had come to admire her father's work ethic, kindness and willingness to make sacrifices for loved ones as a result of her time working beside him.
"We had no idea then how hard he worked all day, often juggling multiple jobs," she said in the press release. "But no matter how tired he was, he never skipped those moments with us. That time together is one of our fondest memories. He’s a real hero in our hearts.”
She also talked about how her father had begun preparing them for positions of responsibility in business from a very young age. “When my brother Ryan and I were younger, our dad would bring out Monopoly almost every night -- it was our greatest joy” said Ashley. “He taught us every strategy -- and made sure we knew whoever bought Boardwalk would always win!"
Ashley added that she hopes to see the business continue to thrive in the future. “CARSTAR is part of our family’s legacy,” Ashley said. “We hope to continue sharing in the experience of being franchise owners for generations to come.”
According to Collin Welsh, senior director of CARSTAR, the Deokinandans' story is a "perfect example of what makes CARSTAR so special."
“The Deokinandans truly embody what it means to be a family business," he said. "Bisram’s dedication and values have not only built a strong store, but a strong culture rooted in kindness and service.... Their story is a perfect example of what makes CARSTAR so special -- and it’s a privilege to work alongside them.”
While the banner is well-known for providing family businesses with the support needed to compete against MSOs, many other collision repair shops have been passed down through multiple generations in Canada.
A survey by Collision Repair magazine found that 74 percent of Canadian collision repair businesses are family-owned. Of those, 83 percent were started by a parent’s generation and 13 percent by grandparents.
In Regina, Western Autobody was founded in 1944 by Nickolas Hauck. His son joined in 1952, and now the business is run by Hauck’s grandchildren.
Parr Auto Body in Saskatoon began in 1952 and remains a family-led shop. Its current team includes several relatives of the founder, along with long-time staff.
Even some larger networks like Distinctive Auto Works and Craftsman Collision also remain under family leadership.
