Business owner sets good example

Having seen his business grow yearly since 1996 (in spite of the recession), Affordable Automotive owner Mike Button likes to give back to the communities that have supported him. Raised and still residing in Durham, he volunteers for various athletic concerns and donates to different booster clubs for baseball and football. Last year, he coached a junior peewee football team in Chico and gave the players merchandise to sell. He’s also helped support CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Cancer Connections, an Enloe Medical Center-based organization that helps cancer patients and their families. Button also serves as volunteer president for his local Business Networking International chapter. Affordable Automotive is located at 2106 Park Ave. Visit its website at www.chicoautomotive.com.

When did you start your business?

Affordable Automotive started out as a tire shop in 1996. I realized tires weren’t really what I wanted to do, so it evolved into a general auto repair shop.

What is your secret to success?

For us, it’s about giving the customer options and choices as well as seeing that the car gets back to the customer in a timely manner. We’re a place where people can bring their car and get their problem solved without getting the big runaround. We really do look out for the customer’s best interests. We do a lot of communicating with customers instead of just assuming what they want. And we’re always willing to talk and work things out.

What led you to support various athletic groups?

I had played sports myself and realized I could give back to the community where I had grown up.

Why did you choose to donate to Cancer Connections?

I asked Enloe if they had a program that we could support that is local and that really gives back to the people of this area. Cancer Connections helps local people who are going through chemo and radiation, offering resources to them and taking care of things insurance companies don’t fund.

What’s new with Affordable Automotive these days?

As part of the Park Avenue corridor façade improvement, we’re having our building renovated: new painting, replacing siding, new doors and windows. It’s exciting.

What do you do when you’re not at work?

I’m busy with my wife and children taking trips, going on hikes, taking bike rides, going camping and boating, attending youth sports events, and going to after-school activities.

What do think about owning and operating a business in Chico?

I really can’t imagine owning a business anywhere else or being a part of any other community. I couldn’t see myself doing this anywhere else. There’s a shared respect among myself and my employees and our customers.