At Blown Gasket Creative, we’re not your typical marketing agency. With decades of first-hand experience in both the auto shop AND web development/digital marketing worlds, we’re the go-to digital pros for Denver’s independent car mechanics, crafting websites and marketing strategies that really rev up your business. We get the unique hustle of local auto shops and create digital tools that help you stand out, attract more customers, and showcase your automotive expertise. By focusing on this niche, we deliver way more value than those one-size-fits-all marketing agencies.
Our Stories
Dusty
My dad owned a transmission shop most of my life. I grew up in that shop. Worked there in high school. Rebuilt my first truck there.
As a family, we went through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and I’m sure that planted the seeds of entrepreneurship in me.
Around 1996, I started a directory site for shops. The idea was to help get shops online and in a central place. I had a few customers, who probably signed up as a favor to my dad. It didn’t work because I was 17 and there was so much I didn’t know. Of course, I thought I knew.
Later I finally convinced my dad to create a website for his shop. It looked okay, but lacked content and personality. He didn’t think it was worth the effort. Not just websites, but any advertising, really.
Which isn’t true. You can rely on word of mouth for a long time, but eventually your best customers start declining.
As that started happening, we started to make efforts at online marketing. They were halfhearted. He was getting ready to retire and didn’t really want to push for new customers.
Through that time, I’d made a career building websites and web applications. Starting my own businesses. Learning about digital marketing, local SEO, and reputation management.
Now, coming full circle, I’m helping independent mechanics with their online presence – websites, marketing, and reputation management.
To me, independent mechanics are the American small business. I’ve known so many amazing mechanics, and I’m looking forward to meeting and helping many more.
Karin
After two decades working in corporate healthcare, I had finally had enough. I saw firsthand how big companies can easily lose sight of what really matters: taking excellent care of the people in their communities. I was also tired of working for organizations that only cared about the bottom line and would do just about anything to line their own pockets while largely disregarding their customers.
It got me thinking about how local auto shops face the same challenge, trying to compete with those big chains that aim to maximize profits while sacrificing the neighborly customer service touch. Like Dusty, I consider the independent car shop a prime example of the quintessential American small business, steeped in tradition and representing the classic American dream of entrepreneurship.
I finally decided that it was time to pursue owning my own business. I wanted to live my vision of the American dream. I wanted to live the smalltown feel, even if it was in a larger city like Denver.
Luckily, my experience managing complex projects and passion for crazy good customer service, coupled with my creative expertise and strategic planning skills, lend themselves well to not only the pursuit of my personal American dream, but also YOURS.
These days, I focus on helping local mechanics like you become more profitable by building websites and marketing strategies that let your authentic, local business values shine through, bringing more customers to your shop. By letting me and Dusty handle that aspect of your business, you can focus on what YOU do best – getting our neighbors on the road again.