“Customers trusted us before our marketing existed” — Jennifer Hazeltine | GGP

Описание: In this Origin & Impact episode of the Garage Grit Podcast, Jennifer Hazeltine of American Import Auto, Inc. talks about how being visible, personable, and present in the community built customer trust long before any formal marketing strategy existed. She explains why showing up — at local events, in neighborhood groups, and online — matters far more than clicks, ads, or banners.

Jennifer came into the auto repair world from a retail background and quickly realized that building relationships and being seen personally helped the shop stand apart from competitors. Early on, American Import Auto was known for mechanical expertise, but customers still needed confidence that the people behind the service could be trusted.

Facing seasonal clientele shifts, competitive visibility gaps, and digital noise, Jennifer leaned into community engagement — from Facebook neighborhood pages to sponsoring events and showing up at local gatherings. By becoming a recognizable face of the shop and actively participating in community life, she shifted how potential customers perceived the business.

Her approach reshaped customer engagement — not just through ads but through relationships, social proof, and consistent human interaction. Independent shop owners can take away practical ideas for building trust, visibility, and meaningful community presence that reinforce your brand and resonate with the people you serve.

Guests

Jennifer Hazeltine — American Import Auto, Inc. (Venice, FL)

What you’ll learn

Why personal visibility builds stronger trust

Getting involved in local groups that matter

Using social media as human connection, not just ads

Leveraging community events for visibility

Blending online and offline presence

How marketing complements face-to-face trust

Practical ways to be seen and recognized

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & context
01:08 – Jennifer’s background & entry to auto repair
02:44 – About American Import Auto and Venice market
04:30 – Seasonal clientele & perception challenges
07:27 – Reaching new community members
09:55 – Facebook groups & neighbor engagement
12:08 – Marketing strategy vs geofencing
14:06 – Being the face of the business
16:15 – Networking & leads groups
18:08 – Chamber of Commerce involvement
20:11 – Supporting other local businesses
23:00 – Translating retail experience to auto repair
25:22 – Team collaboration & content creation
29:01 – Community sponsorship ideas
31:49 – Swag & promotional tactics
35:06 – Customer demographics & preferences
38:43 – Future ideas & audience engagement
42:48 – Reflections on visibility & trust
45:03 – Little League & community support
49:22 – Baby steps to social participation
53:46 – Newsletter & local paper campaigns
56:46 – Social media storytelling
01:01:02 – CRM & follow-up strategy
01:05:42 – Closing thoughts and key insights

Call-to-Actions

Got questions? Comment or post in the FB group—guests will chime in.
Subscribe for more Origin & Impact shop owner stories.
Want to be a guest? Share your story in the group.

Links

Start Here: https://addi.me/2026

Next Step Guide: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aasho...

Grid Request: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aasho...

Request a Call: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aasho...

Join the Podcast Panel: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aasho...

Partnership Info: https://www.aashopmarketing.com/aasho...

Garage Grit Facebook Group:   / forautorepairshopowners  

YouTube:    / @aashopmarketing  

Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof...

Keywords

auto repair marketing, shop trust signals, customer communication, community engagement, visibility strategy, reputation management, local shop branding, Facebook neighborhood groups, social media presence for shops, human-first marketing, independent shop growth, customer experience strategy, nonprofit event marketing

Episode Metadata

Episode: GGP #072
Guest: Jennifer Hazeltine
Shop: American Import Auto, Inc.
Location: Venice, FL