The college and cars: Marked by friendship
David Steffen
Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: News
Mechanic Ed Hiser has worked at Parney's for three years. He said he enjoys working there and that Parney is an accommodating boss, especially concerning family time for employees.
"Mike's a great guy to work for," Hiser said. "He doesn't have any problem with the time off."
Parney is a proud family man and Hillsdale native. His daughter, Janene, 29, is a Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher and his son, Joel, 26, manages a Missouri auto repair shop.
Parney, a Hillsdale native, said honesty defines his business practices.
"I think my parents did an excellent job raising me," he said. "They taught me to be honest and fair, and my father would have my hind end if he thought I cheated someone out of money."
Parney worked at Zeibart rust proofing in Jackson, Mich., for four years upon high school graduation. He set up his own Zeibart branch in Hillsdale on April 15, 1985. He expanded his business to include general auto repair, eventually dropping the Zeibart franchise.
For 13 years, his business thrived. Then on Nov. 11, 1998, a hot-water heater set his shop ablaze. His son first alerted him.
"He came down into our room and said our business was on fire. It was a very empty feeling," Parney said. "My son's joke was, 'My dad just got fired.'"
Parney's has since survived the influx of corporate oil-changing franchises like Wal-Mart. Parney's friend was manager of the new Wal-Mart quick lube and called the corporate office to voice concern over Parney's hometown business.
"They said, 'Just don't change anything - don't try to compete with us pricewise,' etcetera," Parney said. "They were right. It didn't affect us one bit."
Today, Lantis said he is a content customer and appreciates Parney's relentless work and business ethics.
"The work that's been done has always been good," Lantis said. "If something's not quite right, he makes it right."
"Mike's a great guy to work for," Hiser said. "He doesn't have any problem with the time off."
Parney is a proud family man and Hillsdale native. His daughter, Janene, 29, is a Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher and his son, Joel, 26, manages a Missouri auto repair shop.
Parney, a Hillsdale native, said honesty defines his business practices.
"I think my parents did an excellent job raising me," he said. "They taught me to be honest and fair, and my father would have my hind end if he thought I cheated someone out of money."
Parney worked at Zeibart rust proofing in Jackson, Mich., for four years upon high school graduation. He set up his own Zeibart branch in Hillsdale on April 15, 1985. He expanded his business to include general auto repair, eventually dropping the Zeibart franchise.
For 13 years, his business thrived. Then on Nov. 11, 1998, a hot-water heater set his shop ablaze. His son first alerted him.
"He came down into our room and said our business was on fire. It was a very empty feeling," Parney said. "My son's joke was, 'My dad just got fired.'"
Parney's has since survived the influx of corporate oil-changing franchises like Wal-Mart. Parney's friend was manager of the new Wal-Mart quick lube and called the corporate office to voice concern over Parney's hometown business.
"They said, 'Just don't change anything - don't try to compete with us pricewise,' etcetera," Parney said. "They were right. It didn't affect us one bit."
Today, Lantis said he is a content customer and appreciates Parney's relentless work and business ethics.
"The work that's been done has always been good," Lantis said. "If something's not quite right, he makes it right."
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