Jeffreys expand business concepts with new locations
Staff reporter
For Mike and Diane Jeffrey, another family-based business is all in a day's work.
After all, the young entrepreneurs have owned and operated Mike's Service Center of Marion for more than six years. Diane has had a home-based day-care for as long as anyone can remember, and takes photographs on the side.
So when Mike became the manager of Highway 56 Car and Truck Wash, another opportunity presented itself and they snatched it up.
Several years ago, the couple had to make a decision about the automatic car wash at their Main Street service station.
"We had to close the automatic car wash because it needed some costly repairs," Mike said. That space was converted into a second bay for vehicle repairs which left just the self-service car wash.
They had considered a new automatic, drive-through car wash but found it to be cost prohibitive.
When the car and truck wash on U.S.-56 became available, Pro Car Wash purchased it and Mike became the manager three months ago.
"It was a great match," Diane said. "The owner (of the car wash) knows everything about car wash equipment and Mike has the knowledge to operate one."
Repairs and upgrades were completed at the car and truck wash which allows truck and car washes to be purchased with a debit card, credit card, or cash. Customer satisfaction is top priority to the couple.
In a few years, the couple hopes to become a partner with the current owner or, if the opportunity presents itself, purchase the business.
A building also was available for the Jeffreys' use at the car wash site.
Diane, who has been a digital photographer for the past five or six years, saw an opportunity to expand her business by having a photography studio. In November, she officially opened her studio.
"I had been primarily taking outdoor and sports shots," Diane said.
She has been taking photographs of Marion Middle School sports, baseball teams, and is responsible for having photo buttons made of student athletes. Having a studio is a different aspect for her.
She discovered she could take other types of photographs when she took pictures of a group of children related to a church event.
It worked out so well that Diane started doing family portraits and holiday photographs in her studio. She can take photographs at the studio but is always willing to take portraits in other settings.
Jeffrey is looking forward to offering the studio option when she takes the next round of senior photographs.
The studio is coming together in stages with local art teacher Jim Versch making additional backdrops. Various props and selected backdrops currently occupy the area around the studio set.
With digital photography, the customer can order prints through a web site but Diane likes to print proofs for customers instead of putting them on a disk.
"People like to look at the photographs, pass them around, and decide," she said.
Anyone who has been in the service station knows Mike also is an accomplished photographer. His interest is nature shots and some sports action shots. But for him, it's just a hobby.
Diane is a lifetime Marion County resident and Mike moved to Marion when he was in middle school. They graduated from Marion High School and have been contributing to the community ever since by coaching sports teams and being active in the community.
The entrepreneurial couple are optimistic about the future. They know a good idea and hard work will help them succeed with their business endeavors.
