For Karen and Kevin Redman , the automotive industry has been a part of their lives practically since childhood . Karen ’ s father , David Pridham , was a shop teacher and football coach well-known in the Gilroy community for his dedication to teaching others . He made sure that Karen and her siblings all knew how to work with car parts and how to change the oil and tires . Meanwhile , Kevin came more from the mechanical repair side of the industry . A jack-of-all-trades , his talents extend to a variety of things including being an aircraft mechanic and pilot , a builder , and an upholsterer . Their skills and know-how complimented each other so perfectly that opening Redman ’ s Automotive came as a no-brainer .

From the start , Kevin and Karen knew that they wanted integrity and honesty to be on the forefront of their business . They had seen how easily people could be tricked or lied to within certain parts of the automotive industry and the injustice of it really bothered them .

“ Nobody knows everything about cars , especially the technology that ’ s in them today . So it ’ s very difficult for the customer to know if they are being taken or not ,” explains Karen , “ For us it ’ s like building a relationship . We want to ensure that we ’ re doing the best that we can for you and be honest and up front .”

The fact that Redman ’ s Automotive is family run ads a great deal of warmth to their business and how they treat their customers . Karen and Kevin raised their son and daughter in the shop , and now their grandchildren are being raised there as well . The atmosphere is so cozy and inviting that it ’ s almost as if you ’ re walking into your own home , which is exactly the type of feel that they want for anyone who stops by .

“ We have single moms come in here and we know their struggle . I think they feel more comfortable in here because I ’ ve got my wife in here , my daughter ’ s in here and now the grandkids are here ,” Kevin says . The love that they have for one another shows and they extend that same care and compassion to their customers , going so far as to offer their personal number for times of emergency . On more than one occasion Kevin and Karen have driven out to their clients to help with a broken down car or to help them get wherever they need to be . They recognize that these types of situations can be very

dangerous , especially for wives and single mothers , and they make the customer ’ s safety their top priority .

This familial spirit also extends to the business ’ hardworking crew , most of whom have been with Karen and Kevin for ten years or more . Since vocational arts such as carpentry , plumbing and mechanics are no longer taught in schools , many of their newer employees require a lot of on-site training . Kevin and Karen often refer to Redman ’ s Automotive as a reallife classroom , where they are able to act as mentors for their employees . “ You tend to take your employees under your wing and encourage them in many ways . My daughter told one of our employees one time , ‘ You ’ ll know that she ’ s not just your boss , she ’ s the shop mom ,’” Karen laughs . The couple love that they are able to teach a new generation about the essential basic skills and integrity that comes with the industry .

If there ’ s anything to be taken from the Redman family , it ’ s that they are caring people who enjoy good conversation and helping the people of their community . They see their customers not as numbers on a list , but as people whom they genuinely want to get to know .

“ We try to build relationships and know who you are . I like that I can call my customers by first name and that I can go to the grocery store and run into people that I know and serve ,” Karen says . The family also makes a point of being approachable . Whether you ’ re a current customer or you just have automotive questions , they are always willing to talk with you and help you figure out viable solutions .

Karen and Kevin intend to keep the business in the family and they look forward to passing Redman ’ s Automotive down to their son , Jason , and their daughter , Julia . They know that their children will continue the tradition of being an honest , affordable place that people can rely on .

Karen Redman with Mel Reed , Service Manager

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH / APRIL 2016 gmhtoday . com

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