Tackling the Whirlwind of Business Ownership

Upon graduation from high school in 2001, Jason Metcalf went on to attend various community colleges in Washington. As he was trying to determine a career path, he floated between Edmonds, Cascadia, and Bellevue Community Colleges. Through a dual credit program with Cascadia Community College, Metcalf even attended the University of Washington for a time. Although he never did finish a degree program, he did complete his automotive training through the Chrysler Academy (CA).

After several name changes, CA is currently known as Stellantis Performance Institute (SPI). According to Metcalf, SPI covers all technical training for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Fiat. Given that new vehicles and new technologies emerge every year, learning and training are an on-going reality for Metcalf, who is currently fully certified to the highest levels in all categories.

After working in dealerships for 19 years, Metcalf and his wife Jennifer (Jamieson) decided to take the risk of business ownership and opened Chinook Automotive, LLC. At 428 Indiana Street, the Metcalfs began offering automotive repairs, routine service work, diagnostics, and vehicle maintenance on January 17.

Beyond basic vehicle repair and maintenance, Metcalf will perform oil changes, as well as address shocks, front end issues, suspension systems, brakes, and tires. "As far as engine repair and diagnostics go, I will take that one step at a time depending on my schedule and what the job is. Because new vehicle repairs take a lot of special tools and technology, I may not have what I need for a certain job, but those things will come with time," Metcalf explained.

About this important step to independence, Metcalf stated: "I always wanted to go out on my own and do my own thing. In some dealerships, while serving as a technician, you are just a number-kind of like a sub-contractor in a way. When this opportunity came up for me to have my own shop, I decided that there was no better time than now to jump on it and get something started while I am still young."

To this new endeavor, Metcalf brings not only his formal training but his multiple job experiences. He began working at a GMC Buick dealer when he was 19. After wrenching there for a couple of years, his boss at the time moved to a Dodge dealership.

"He recruited me to come with him, and I have worked at four different Dodge dealers since. So, I have been in the automotive dealer industry for 20 years; almost 19 of them were with Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram."

Owning a business comes with its share of surprises, and because Metcalf is building from scratch, he has first-hand experience with the amount of work required in becoming operational. Although he admits to being aware of the time and financial investments involved in start-up, he was somewhat shocked by all the steps required to reach the point of opening a new business and referred to the process as "kind of a whirlwind."

In describing that whirlwind, Metcalf offered details: "I think the biggest challenge so far has been getting everything set up. The shop is pretty much ready to go, but I decided I wanted to do a quick remodel on the office area and get everything in the building up to my standards of working order. I am impatient when it comes to that stuff, and I want it done now! It just took longer than I had originally expected. The biggest reward so far is probably seeing some light at the end of the tunnel on what we have accomplished in just over a week of owning the building."

The Metcalfs plan to grow the business by branching out. Although Metcalf knows Dodge vehicles best and has a preference for working on that make, he claims to be able to work on almost anything. "I am going to start with the basics and see what comes in the door. A lot of people have asked me if I will be doing tires, and I am, but that is not what I will concentrate on. Mostly, I will be doing general repair and maintenance on almost all makes and models of vehicles."

While Metcalf's wife Jen will play a role in the business, assisting where she can, she will not have an actual position at Chinook Automotive. "She plans on continuing to work in the Blaine County Clerk of Court's office where she serves as Deputy Clerk, and on her days off, she will answer phones or help out at the business. I will be looking to add one or two people in the shop after I get things going. I am going to need extra help at some point. My business plan was to add someone after a year, but it looks like it might be sooner than that."

When he's not in the garage, Metcalf appreciates outdoor recreation. Among his favorite pastimes are hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. He claims that his two boys Jacob and Jaxton keep him busy. "I enjoy coaching baseball and getting out there and playing with the kids," he reported.

In addition to coaching, Metcalf is the president of the Chinook Youth Baseball and Softball organizations. He also volunteers with the Chinook Fire Department and serves as the department's Secretary. "I don't have a lot of down time; that's for sure," he chuckled.