When Mark Pesognelli arrived at the Saratoga airport and began to walk down the hill, he said he was stopped five times by locals asking if he needed a ride. He was reminded of the small town he came from in Pennsylvania and immediately fell in love with the area.
Over the eight years he has lived here, his son, Ian, has visited several times and has grown to become fond of Saratoga too.
Ian had gone to school in Denver for auto mechanics and was doing well working at a Ford dealership as a mechanic.
Mark saw what he perceived as an opportunity to open a mechanic shop that would provide what he termed, "good quality service at a reasonable price."
The whole idea carried the added benefit of having his son join him in Saratoga.
So they talked and eventually decided the time was right.
In February the two began getting financial documents in order and started getting their business plan together. They got financing together, bought business insurance, got a business license and worked on structuring the corporation.
When that was settled, the search for a location began. Eventually, the two worked out a lease agreement with Patrick Rollison to take over a space at 404 Northeast River St. in Saratoga.
Then it was on to equipment acquisition.
In May the pair ordered a car lift, hydraulic press, tire machine, tire balancer, brake rotor lathe, parts cleaner and detailing equipment including a $7,000 hot water pressure washer.
The younger Pesognelli said he had, "... all the tools we need to work on pretty much any car."
As a next step, Ian hired Justin McWain, of Saratoga, as a full time employee. Mark pointed out that it was their intention to hire and buy locally to help the town's economy and added McWain had won detailing awards when showing cars and motorcycles with his grandfather.
With two full time mechanics on duty and the equipment set, Ian's Automotive and Detailing, Inc. was in business.
In their first two weeks of business the pair performed 24 details and several oil changes.
Though Ian plans on expanding services in the future, he feels comfortable that the services he offers now, which includes light engine work, detailing, oil changes, brakes, suspension work and tire sales, installation and balancing, is a good start.
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