Today we’d like to introduce you to Moira Sheehan.
Hi Moira, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Even though I did not come from a “car” family, I’ve always loved racing and working on cars. I begged neighbbors to take me to the local dirt track when I was ten and started racing and building my own engines at 15. In my Irish immigrant family, we were all expected to attend college and then make our way up the corporate ladder. So I attended UGA and AASU, received two undergraduate degrees and an MBA. I worked at Gulfstream as a manager in their Mexicali facility and then was hired by Computer Associates as a software implementation and business management consultant.
When I decided to have children later in life, (I had one son when I was 37 and the other when I was 41), the world-wide travel of consulting just did not work. So I opened my own consulting firm in the Savannah area.
Then in 2007, due to the financial crisis, I lost all my consulting contracts. It seemed like a great time to do something I always wanted to – open an auto repair shop.
Now after 18 years as a shop owner I have to say it is definitely the right path for me. There have been some really difficult times – like a divorce after 27 years and a five month bout of Covid in 2020 – but this career always calls me to it.
We are about to open a second Carma Auto Care and I plan on a few more new locations shortly thereafter.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh hell no! Self employment requires a very different mindset than being a “cog” in the corporate wheel. If you don’t know all the business topics such as how to read financials, how to recruit and maintain staff, how to market and advertise – you need to learn very quickly!
When I had COVID from Feb 2020 until July 2020, I was about to give up. I had been dating a truly lovely man who contracted COVID in Feb and was dead from it by March 2020. We didn’t even realize that the horrific virus we both came down with on Valentine’s weekend that year had a name until after his death. He was the love of my life. I thought nothing would tear us apart. Except for death, way too young. He was only 50 years old and had no health issues.
Fortunately, my two sons who were 19 and 15 at the time, stepped up and ran the shop for me. Since their schools were closed they worked at my counter and handled EVERYTHING. They handled difficult customers who didn’t want to work with them due to their tender ages, they managed the techs we had at the time, they paid bills, ordered parts, worked with vendors, etc. And they would come home at night and say, “Mom, just don’t DIE. We are too young for you to leave us!” Even though there were times I was so exhausted from coughing and not lying down or I would drown, I toughed it out.
Of course, now I am extremely glad I made it through. I am a very lucky mom to have such talented, mature and hard working sons.
Then I had four surgeries in three years following COVID. After the last surgery that was incredibly painful, I was again about to give up. Recovery was four months long and I was just sick of suffering. I decided I would sell the shop, buy property in MN where my eldest son lives now and start a hobby farm. I would let my hair go white, grow herbs, buy a cauldron and make potions. LOL!!! But once again, my son said to me “Maybe you should wait until you heal and not make life-changing decisions when you are writhing in agony”. And again, he was right!
Now Carma is succeeding far beyond my expectations and we are expanding to a second location in 2026 as well as more after that!
We’ve been impressed with Carma Auto Care, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Carma Auto Care provides general automotive repair on most years, makes and models with a heavy concentration on European vehicles. We provide everything from oil change to engine repair – anything except body or windshield replacement.
Carma Auto exists because I strongly believe that the auto repair industry needs to change. I KNOW it can be a great experience for customers as well as staff. The industry is known for being dirty, both physically and emotionally, and treating employees horribly.
And that is what we are doing at Carma – making auto repair transparent and fun for both customers and those who work there.
Carma Auto is very different than other repair shops. We provide a digital inspection report with photos and/or videos so you can see why a repair is recommended.
We have a LIFETIME, NATIONWIDE labor warranty and 50,000 miles on most parts. If you travel anywhere in the US and a part we replaced fails, just call us and we will find you a shop anywhere you are and the repair is completed under warranty. This service even includes towing.
Carma Auto GUARANTEES our diagnosis so you don’t waste money on parts you do not need.
We have 24/7 drop off/pick up, loaner vehicles and a pick up and delivery service within five miles of the shop. We can run you to the airport, work on your vehicle while you travel and have it all done for you on your return.
The thing I am most proud of is my current staff. They are a fantastic group of people who understand why we exist and do all they can to make it happen every single day. The staff I’ve had for the last few years have just been magic, unlike any other employees I’ve had in the past.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Going to the local dirt track and standing as close as possible to the track when the race started. I loved the feeling of the roar of the engines, the way it echoed in my chest – still do!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carmaautocare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmaautocaresavannah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmaautocare
- Youtube: @carmaautocare70
- Other: tiktok – @carmaauto
