Cassville welcomes new auto service
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August 19, 2020
Sheila Harris
Mike Clifton, of Cassville, is no stranger to an automobile. He’s been working as a mechanic for other people since 1989, until he hung a shingle on his own shop two weeks ago. His full-service mechanic shop is now open for business.
“Today is actually my first official day to be open,” Clifton said when I spoke with him last Thursday, “but people have been ringing my phone off the wall wondering when they can get their car in, so I opened a little early.”
His shop has six bays, and , beginning in September, will be fully staffed with six mechanics (including himself).
“The community response has been overwhelming,” Clifton said. “I am really grateful. Jumping out on your own after so many years of working for someone else is a little scary, but I haven’t had time to be nervous.”
Clifton began building his new shop in February after leaving his position as service manager at Les Jacobs Ford in Cassville. His new business, Mike’s Auto Care, is located on Highway 37 near the airport.
“I built this place myself,” he said, giving truth to the oft-repeated phrase, “if you build it, they will come.”
Clifton began his mechanic career with Bob Maloney Ford in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1989, not long after his family moved to Bentonville from Clinton.
Clifton worked for Bob Maloney for a few years, then put in time at Ron Blackwell Ford in Bentonville, before joining the Les Jacobs team in 1998.
At Les Jacobs, he worked as a mechanic until 2014, when he accepted the service manager position.
“I’ve been thinking about starting my own business for a few years,” Clifton said, “but it takes a little time to get ready for such a move.”
His family is solidly behind him, Clifton says, including his wife, Leighann, and his daughters, Brittany Scott, Haley Griffanti and Hanna Clifton, plus six grandchildren.
“Mike’s Auto Care will offer service from A - Z,” Clifton said, “except rebuilding automatic transmissions.
“When we are totally set up, we will also be able to offer the same diagnostic capabilities as dealerships,” Clifton continued.
Clifton, who is a Ford Senior Master Certified Technician, specializes in maintenance on Fords, but he’ll be happy to work on all makes and models.
His daughter, Brittany, will serve as his office manager.
Clifton’s motto as he moves forward is, “Friendly, honest, reliable service,” and based on the community’s response to his new business, he’s already putting it into practice.
Mike’s Auto Care can be reached at 417-228-6085. They also have a Facebook page.
Mike Clifton, of Cassville, is no stranger to an automobile. He’s been working as a mechanic for other people since 1989, until he hung a shingle on his own shop two weeks ago. His full-service mechanic shop is now open for business.
“Today is actually my first official day to be open,” Clifton said when I spoke with him last Thursday, “but people have been ringing my phone off the wall wondering when they can get their car in, so I opened a little early.”
His shop has six bays, and , beginning in September, will be fully staffed with six mechanics (including himself).
“The community response has been overwhelming,” Clifton said. “I am really grateful. Jumping out on your own after so many years of working for someone else is a little scary, but I haven’t had time to be nervous.”
Clifton began building his new shop in February after leaving his position as service manager at Les Jacobs Ford in Cassville. His new business, Mike’s Auto Care, is located on Highway 37 near the airport.
“I built this place myself,” he said, giving truth to the oft-repeated phrase, “if you build it, they will come.”
Clifton began his mechanic career with Bob Maloney Ford in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1989, not long after his family moved to Bentonville from Clinton.
Clifton worked for Bob Maloney for a few years, then put in time at Ron Blackwell Ford in Bentonville, before joining the Les Jacobs team in 1998.
At Les Jacobs, he worked as a mechanic until 2014, when he accepted the service manager position.
“I’ve been thinking about starting my own business for a few years,” Clifton said, “but it takes a little time to get ready for such a move.”
His family is solidly behind him, Clifton says, including his wife, Leighann, and his daughters, Brittany Scott, Haley Griffanti and Hanna Clifton, plus six grandchildren.
“Mike’s Auto Care will offer service from A - Z,” Clifton said, “except rebuilding automatic transmissions.
“When we are totally set up, we will also be able to offer the same diagnostic capabilities as dealerships,” Clifton continued.
Clifton, who is a Ford Senior Master Certified Technician, specializes in maintenance on Fords, but he’ll be happy to work on all makes and models.
His daughter, Brittany, will serve as his office manager.
Clifton’s motto as he moves forward is, “Friendly, honest, reliable service,” and based on the community’s response to his new business, he’s already putting it into practice.
Mike’s Auto Care can be reached at 417-228-6085. They also have a Facebook page.