After growing his business from a mobile shop operating out of a Jeep, Nathan Goetsch looks forward to opening the doors to his new 5,600-square-foot automotive repair building at 8504 W. Clearwater Avenue in Kennewick.
Goetsch, the sole owner and operator of Platinum Automotive, is pledging to finance his $1.3 million building with the same risk-taking spirit that led him to start his own business a decade ago.
“I worked for a lot of people and a lot of different stores for many years, and when I left my last job, I was like, ‘You know what? I’m going to do it myself or am I going to try not to. I will hate myself for the rest of my life.’ ,
Goetsch started working out of his home garage, advertising on Craigslist and using his Jeep to do mobile service.
Their shop is now a full scale operation that does almost any type of repair. Their current location is at 532 S. Steptoe St., Suite 110.
Platinum Automotive, 532 S. Steptoe St., going into West Clearwater Ave. (courtesy Robin Wojtnik)
“What we don’t do is glass and body work,” he said. “Like a windshield or anything stuck in a car. Otherwise, we do anything mechanical, as well as wheels and tires. ,
Goetsch never thought it would be his profession, although he says he has always been a “hands-on”. He got into automotive work purely by chance.
“Early in high school, I was getting lazy, and I wanted to do robotics. When I went to do my electives, they said there’s nothing more available than automotive. And I was like, ‘I’m on cars. I don’t want to work.’ But within a few months of being in that class, I knew that’s what I wanted to do, or at least that’s what I liked.”
While in school, he was part of a team at Kennewick’s Tri-Tech Skills Center that placed first in the state in a high school automotive competition sponsored by Ford.
He competed nationally and placed in the top 50, Goetsch recalled.
He worked in construction, but automotive work is where his passion lies.
“I got caught up in it because when you’re done with what you’re doing, you have a sense of fulfillment. You know you have something that you can look at and say, ‘I did that,’ And I did it right, and it works.’ ,
Their technology and trust earned Platinum Automotive hundreds of positive reviews on the shop’s website – a commendable achievement in an industry where customers are often skeptical of honest repair work.
“We certainly try to make sure that we develop relationships with our customers,” Goetsch said. “Not only do they trust us, but they trust us enough to tell their friends and family, or someone at the gas station. Most of our business comes from referrals and word of mouth.”
Over the years, his business and role have expanded. He hires three full-time technicians and expects to hire a few more once the new shop opens.
He is proud of his low turnover with his team. “I don’t think I have any employees who have been here for less than three years,” he said.
The new shop would be funded with a private commercial loan from Numerica that Goetsch acquired shortly after his mother’s death.
“The dream was always to have my own place. So, we have been trying to go towards that for a long time. When I got a bit of inheritance, there was a compelling scenario to try to do something with it. ,
A foundation has been laid and Nathan is expected to open around the end of the year or early 2023.
Business is strong and the pandemic did nothing to slow it down.
“It’s still almost impossible to get hold of newer vehicles, and that has made older vehicles worth more than they are, so it makes sense for people to have a vehicle they already have,” he said.
The new location will include six volumes to be renovated, but Goetsch hopes to maintain the small-shop family atmosphere he has established.
“Having fewer people means we won’t be able to get as much work done in a given time frame, but everyone really cares what’s going on here,” he said.
Platinum Automotive: 532 S. Steptoe St., Suite 110, Kennewick; 509-410-4080; Platinumautotech.com @platinumautomotiveservices. hours:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.