Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Spencer.
Hi Rachel , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our Journey: From Surviving to Thriving
My why has always been clear: to become the person I needed as a kid. Someone with purpose. Someone with goals. Someone who could rise above hardship and create the life they wanted. Growing up, I can still remember nights when we had no electricity, running an extension cord from the neighbor’s just to watch TV for an hour, or going to the grocery store late at night so no one would see us paying with food stamps. I was embarrassed then, but those moments planted a fire in me. They taught me that we grow through what we go through.
At 15, I was running a vending machine route while most kids were sleeping in, just to help keep the water on at home. By 19, I bought my first home. At 21, I was working my way up at our local utility company when tragedy struck — I got the knock at the door that my mother had been killed in a head-on collision. That moment tested me to my core. I could give up, or I could find out how much more I could take. My perspective shifted forever. I realized life is fragile, and the glass isn’t half full or half empty — it’s refillable.
Not long after, I met my other why: the man who would become my husband. He, too, had faced adversity, but he turned his dream into a reality by opening his own auto repair shop. Together, we learned what sacrifice really meant. Nights he came home only long enough to eat and then went back to work. Days when we couldn’t call in sick, even when our kids were sick and had to sit in the back room. Years without vacations, living paycheck to paycheck. We didn’t know what we didn’t know — we just knew how to survive, and we believed that if we took care of people, the rest would take care of itself.
We learned to celebrate the wins, no matter how small. We leaned on each other when the weight of responsibility pressed in heavy. And slowly, step by step, we built more than a business — we built a place where people feel cared for, a team that feels like family, and a culture that puts people over profits.
Our journey hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been real. Every challenge has shaped us, every success has fueled us, and every hard day has taught us that leadership isn’t about having it easy — it’s about showing up anyway.
And here we stand: not at the finish line, but right in the middle of a story still being written. Stronger, wiser, and more committed than ever to the vision that started it all.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. Our journey has been anything but smooth, but every bump has taught us something. In the early days, it was pure survival — long nights, no vacations, kids sitting in the back room while we worked because we couldn’t afford to miss a day. There were times we lived paycheck to paycheck and wondered if we were going to make it. We fought hard through our blood, sweat, and tears. In those early years, we owed the IRS, the comptroller, and were heavily in debt. It often felt like we would never make it out the other side.
On top of that, we’ve weathered the economic downturn in 2008, made it through the challenges of COVID in 2020, and faced employee shortages, parts shortages, personal challenges, and adversity along the way. Being an entrepreneur is a roller coaster, and we’ve felt every twist and turn.
Through it all, we learned to celebrate the wins, no matter how small. We leaned on each other when the weight of responsibility pressed in heavy. And slowly, step by step, we built more than a business — we built a place where people feel cared for, a team that feels like family, and a culture that puts people over profits.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but every obstacle forced us to grow, every sacrifice strengthened our resolve, and every setback reminded us why we started. Today, we’re not just surviving — we’re thriving. And it’s been worth every second of the ride.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Spencer’s Auto Repair?
Spencer’s Auto Repair opened its doors in 2001, and from the very beginning we’ve been about more than just fixing cars — we’re in the people business. We provide complete automotive repair and maintenance services, but what truly sets us apart is the way we care for people first, cars second. We believe every customer deserves to feel valued, heard, and confident when they leave our shop.
We specialize in building relationships and trust, not just turning wrenches. From the moment a customer walks through our doors, we focus on clear communication, transparency, and education so they can make the best decisions for their vehicles and their families. That culture of honesty and care is what we’re most proud of, brand-wise.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just repair cars — we raise the standard for service. We train our team to focus on empathy, clarity, and going above and beyond. We celebrate the wins together as a team, and that spirit spills over into how we treat our customers.
What we want readers to know is this: Spencer’s Auto Repair is built on a foundation of integrity and heart. We’ve walked through struggle, sacrifice, and growth to create a place where our team feels like family and our customers know they matter. Cars may be what we service, but people are why we exist.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Resilience. The ability to get back up no matter how many times life or business knocks you down has been the key to our success. Owning a business means facing challenges you never saw coming — financial struggles, economic downturns, employee shortages, parts delays, and personal hardships. What carried us through was refusing to quit and choosing to grow through what we go through.
Along with resilience, we’ve built our business on integrity and genuine care for people. Cars bring customers in the door, but people and relationships are what keep them coming back. Staying people-first, even when it’s hard, has shaped our culture and fueled our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spencersautorepair.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencersauto/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spencersautorepairkrum/
