Chris Gaudioso
Owner and technician | Driven Automotive Service | Age: 39
What was your first job in the industry?
General service technician who changed tires and oil.
What attracted you to the industry?
My curiosity of how cars worked.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career?
Starting my own shop.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
My automotive shop teacher.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
Opening my own shop
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
I hope to be running a few respected automotive service shops with excellent technicians.
What’s the biggest issue facing the industry today?
I believe it is a lack of truly skilled and caring technicians. I deal with every car as if it was my own and I had to pay for the bill. To many techs, especially at large dealerships, don't think of the human driving the car.
What’s the one thing you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
That mechanics gossip like high school girls. It's annoying and childish.
How do you encourage others to enter the industry?
By being honest with them. I don't mislead young techs. I tell them it's hard, but can be rewarding.
Tell us about your family.
I have an older brother and a sister. My parents are divorced.
What’s your favorite weekend activity?
Sleeping in and relaxing with my family.
What keeps you up at night?
I hate to admit it. I wish I had a deeper issue to ponder, but I've been known to talk about working on cars in my sleep. I hate leaving a job unfinished, especially if it's something I haven't finished diagnosing.
What’s your favorite food?
Beer. Unfortunately most days I end up falling asleep before I can finish a whole beer.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Jimi Hendricks
