Meet Steven L Roberts | Owner Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steven L Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steven L, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was honestly lucky to be raised and surrounded by business owners my entire life. My family always encouraged me and my other younger family members to strive to create a business, even if it is just a side hustle. “Never put all your eggs in one basket”. This very lesson had me start my very first business, a summer carwash, at my uncles church when I was about 15 years old.

Starting this particular business, was a method of survival after leaving a similar business I started with a part of my family about 5 years prior to this company opening. I had been doing this work since I was a teenager and then started back in my late 20’s to early 30’s learning everything through my Uncle/mentor. I then learned more through experiences, mistakes and lots of training. By the time I decide to go out on my own with Atlanta Auto Glass, I had roughy 15 year of experience in the field, I had been a real estate agent and broker, worked in production and event management and been a singer/performer.

I was known around the city for installing auto glass and wanted to continue provide a service I knew I did well and continue to provide a valued service, but on a boutique scale. After running a brick and mortar shop for five years with my family, I knew I wanted to start off doing mobile repairs and replacement only, not only because people really gravitated to the mobile service, but it also provided me with the flexible that I had been missing in recent years.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets us apart is our boutique size, customer service and mobile capabilities. We are all very busy handling work, life and family. Being able to install a customers glass on site while they work, rest or while they are helping with the kids homework, instead of them having to take time to come to the shop, allows our customers more time in their day to handle things on their plates. We are a smaller company and our focus is not doing every job, but doing the right jobs for us. This means we don’t over pack our schedule and can typically get to our customers the same or next day, do quality work and get them back on the road.

Our customers also appreciate that we utilize text messaging to schedule most jobs which allows for a quicker response. We also request additional information to confirm the vehicle and parts before arriving to ensure we are using the customers time and our time as efficiently as possible. I am extremely proud that most of our business comes from word of mouth and repeat business. It means that people are pleased with our work and spread the word to the people they know.

On the positive side of how I got to where I am in my business today, I have learned to find joy and purpose with what I do. I have always enjoyed helping people. So when someone calls and has a car break-in or needs a windshield replacement, I am glad to be in a position to help them remedy their issue. I take pride in being able to answer questions that people may be confused about and even helping them find someone who can help if I cannot. I think that all the different roles and careers that I had in the past help me to become a better business owner and interacting with a lot of different personalities has provided me with skills to manage pretty much any situation I encounter. I think one of the best things you can do i your business and life, is to help manage people expectations ahead of time.

Honestly, being in business can also be trying.. The saying, “all money ain’t good money” comes to mind. I would honestly love to service everyone I come in contact with, but I have learned over the years that some customers are very hard to please and it is important to recognize that quality in an individual and remove yourself from the equation before there is more harm done. I have experienced the very worst side of some individuals. People who’s goal it is to steal from you or cause you harm. I have learned to trust my gut and also implement practices that will help to avoid negative situations as much as I can, but it still happens.

I have learned that creating a system and sticking to it is vital for success and growth. Make certain that when you go into any partnership you are very diligent about communicating expectations, roles, limitations, boundaries and exit strategies. Find time for yourself as much as it makes sense. You have to be able to balance you work, life and peace. If you are not great at some part of your business, don’t be afraid to hire someone to help you with it.

I want everyone to know how grateful I am for the love and support over the years I have been in business. I look forward to continuing to grow and hopefully start providing more employment opportunities in the future. This journey has not be simple, easy and without tears, but it has all been worth it to create a life that allows me the flexibility to live the way I prefer to live.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I really enjoy going to the movies and my favorite place to do that in Atlanta is the IPIC theater. The design of the space for comfort and privacy is unmatched. They have great food and beverage options as well. I would take them to the Alliance Theatre for one of their incredible shows. Atlanta has some great rooftop options so happy hour at Rooftop LOA or Ponce City Market would be on the list. The views are breathtaking. I do enjoy nature so a trip to the Roswell Mill waterfall or up to Amicalola Falls could be great. One of my go to restaurants for great food and drinks is No Mas Cantina or Vickery’s. I would also take them to a wine tasing at 3 Parks Wine shop and take a walk or bike ride on the beltline. I am not very much in the clubs, but I will hit a good dive bar from time to time for some karaoke.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I will dedicate this story to me Uncle Curtis who taught me everything I know about to glass industry. Also, my mother and sister for being there in the beginning and throughout the past three years providing guidance, ideas and assistance with the day to day work. I have to thank my very large community of supporters for sending your business and those who you know to me.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/AtlantaAutoGlass?mibextid=uzlsIk

Instagram: @AtlAutoGlass

Image Credits
JP Moore – JP Designs Art