Today we’d like to introduce you to Owen Powell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I realized my love for cars early by being able to identify almost every car on the road anytime we were traveling as a family. I took vocational high school auto class, which was the only reason I liked going to school! I was lucky enough to get a part time job at age 15 in an auto parts store, and have been in that industry my entire life. I have been involved in every aspect of the automotive aftermarket, from stocking shelves and sweeping floors in a small parts store, to operating large scale warehouses serving thousands of customers.
In 2004, I was involved in a serious car accident, resulting in many months of physical therapy and recovery. This gave me ample time to reflect on life, and I decided that I wanted to move to LA to be near my 10-year-old daughter, who had moved there with her mother earlier that year. So I wrapped up my life in Cleveland and took off for LA!
When I arrived in LA, I found out about this cool little auto parts store in the Santa Clarita Valley called Bouquet Auto Parts. Opened in the early 1970’s, it was a neighborhood institution. I got involved with the store, and eventually became partners with the stores founder, Greg Jordan. It didn’t take long for me to understand what the community already knew about Bouquet Auto. It is a special place where old fashioned service meets modern technology. It’s such a special place that I even met my wife there when she came in to buy a light bulb!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have been blessed to find my passion in life early on with my love for cars. My mother fought with me for years about going to college, but at that time there were not many options for higher learning focusing on automobiles. So I just worked my way through the ranks of the automotive aftermarket.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Bouquet Auto Parts is a throwback to the “mom and pop” days of the auto parts business. Up until the last 20 years, auto parts needs were filled by your locally owned and operated store. Most of the local high school kids worked there at one time or another, and everyone in the neighborhood had their “favorite guy” at the local parts counter. Now that has changed with the advent of the “big box stores.” Seems like you see them on every corner.
Bouquet Auto Parts has stayed busy and relevant because we specialize in very personal, knowledgeable, service. We source parts for any car, no matter what make or year, and we employee experienced mechanics to help with our customer’s needs. We focus our attention on the “do it yourself” customer, who may need some advice or information to do the job. We have earned the trust of our customers over the 45 years we have been in business, and we continue to treat every customer with respect and gratitude.
What were you like growing up?
I was a really quiet kid, because all I wanted to do was learn about cars. I read every car magazine I could find, and at 14 I took a 1972 Oldsmobile completely apart to learn how it worked. I was not into sports, since I only seemed to have aptitude for car stuff! I counted down the days to get my driver’s license, not so I could go places, but so I could learn more about cars by driving them!
Contact Info:
- Address: 26769 Bouquet Canyon Road
- Website: bouquetautoparts.com
- Phone: 661-296-8900
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