
4/3/13
Gratitude for Great Customers

9/21/11
Small Business of the Year

Have you ever had a surprisingly good thing happen to you? Well, we did and I can tell you, “It feels really good!”
This article is dedicated to all of you hard working small business owners. As a group we are a unique breed and rarely get outside recognition for our long hours, dedication and risks we take.
The State of
The year 2007 Assembly member John Laird chose us to be the 2007 Small Business of the Year. Mr. Laird said, “Water Star Motors is leading the way on the
We were absolutely blown away when Mr. Laird’s office called to give us the news. It literally brought tears to my eyes. Our whole staff feels enormously honored to represent
The California Small Business Day event was really spectacular. From 8:30 to 2:30 all the honorees were given enthusiastic, genuine and supportive attention.
After checking in at the VIP booth we got a chance to talk with the various exhibitors who sincerely wished to help with any small business concerns. For example: folks from the State Board of Equalization and EDD.
The morning session had several representatives from Capitol Hill presenting their pro small business viewpoints. Last year we hired 80% of all the new-hires and contributed 48%
Then we were ushered upstairs to a fabulous luncheon. Each of the 70 honorees got to sit with their Assembly member or Senator who had 2-3 minutes each to honor their candidate. Of these, there were only five businesses who were recognized for being green. (in 2007)
The formal Keynote address was given by the honorable Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He passionately spoke non-stop, without cue cards, for 30 minutes. He is doing everything he can to keep CA the 6th in the world economically and ahead of the pack when it comes to supporting our environment. His favorite project concerns instituting Universal Health insurance for CA. If successful, the rest of the country will follow suit. Yes, he still works out and he ended with, “I’ll be back.”
We had the bonus pleasure of seeing Mr. Laird’s office in Capitol Hill. And he gave us a personal tour of the Assembly floor. Assembly member Laird is a stellar example of a good politician. Thank you!
1/17/11
Thank You!
Your Serene, Green Auto Repair Team and Small Business of the Year.
Written by Henry & Lisa Carter
Two years ago, Water Star Motors – Import Car Specialists, won the Metro Santa Cruz Goldies Award for #1 Auto Repair Shop! Yippee!! Yahoo!! Last year we were chosen for the Metro Silver Award. Again; Yippee! Yahoo! This year we are Gold again (Santa Cruz Weekly) for Auto Repair and Bronze for Oil Change!
These achievements would not be possible without a certain special group of wonderful people…You, our customers! Thank you, thank you, and thank you! We have been, and continue to be blessed with the friendliest, smartest, most green and honorably dedicated patrons any auto repair business could ask for.
We work hard to give the very best service possible under all conditions. We have been blessed with many awards over the years and will continue to progress with improvements on the levels of excellence that has brought us to this point in the first place!
We like to use the philosophy of, “Do the job right or don’t do it at all.” I guess we must be doing a good job too because folks come up to us and say things like, “You’re a lifesaver,” or that we made their headache better (even though we don’t sell aspirin here).
We help people every day; it’s what we love to do. We are your Serene, Green Auto Repair Team. We are leaders in the certified green auto repair industry.
One of our corner-stones is our green business philosophy. Our daily practice and implementation of these ideals help all of us as well as the planet. Remember, being green starts with every one of us. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

