Meet The Owner – Fast Eddie’s Tire Pros

Editor’s note: MyEverettNews.com is working to introduce our readers to more independent business owners here in Everett, Washington. We want to highlight their businesses, tell their stories and invite you to shop locally and help move Everett forward. If you know of a business we should feature, send us a suggestion via email: news@myeverettnews.com. Leland Dart – Publisher
 

Forty-four years ago, Ed Hemp was in high school and began pushing a broom at a south Everett auto care center to earn some money. One of the first automotive tasks he learned was alignments. He became really good at alignments, worked fast and earned the nickname “Fast Eddie” for both his shop work and also his ability to drive a race car.

Ed kept working at that shop, went to school and took classes. Automotive classes, business classes, studied hard and bettered himself. He also paid attention to the owner of that shop, Andy Carlos.

“Andy was like a father to me, my dad died when I was twelve years old and Andy taught me so much,” Eddie said when we talked this week. “I started here at sixteen years old and learned honesty, to always do your best to take care of the customer, Andy genuinely cared about you.”

As Eddie grew older, racing cars gave way to raising a family. “He kept the nickname Fast Eddie” given to him by friends and continued to learn more about the tire and automotive repair business. “I want his job and then I want his job,” Eddie laughed recalling how he kept working his way up until he bought the business.

Eddie’s seen a lot in the 44 years he’s been here. “The sidewalk used to be way out there,” he said, pointing out front. “Now Evergreen Way is seven lanes and so much has changed.”

A major change has been in the advancement of technology. “Cars have gotten so technical, you have to keep up in both equipment and education,” Eddie told me. “Everyone has a tablet, I just bought the latest scanner and new alignment machine and my people train regularly.”

Eddie says they take advantage of technology, adding a digital shop platform that lets them keep customers updated on the progress of repairs and can send pictures so customers can see what’s going on and make informed decisions.

Like many other business owners we’ve spoken with in this series, Fast Eddie’s Tire Pros is a family business. His son Jeff and daughter Melissa both work there as does his wife. His best friend’s daughter works there and his lead technician has been with him twenty-five years. “I can leave this place and not ever have to worry about it,” Eddie said. “I’ll never quit but I may semi-retire and the kids will take over.”

He’s also been through a lot. In 2001 Eddie was diagnosed with Malignant melanoma. “I’m a cancer survivor and I beat the odds,” Eddie declared. “I’m still here today to cause all kinds of havoc.” That battle with cancer shapes how Eddie runs the business. “I tell my employees to have a Never-Quit attitude, you’ve got to want to.”

Like most every business owner finding and retaining employees during and after the Pandemic has been a challenge. The store’s hours are designed to give the employees a break. “I believe in resting and family time,” explained Eddie. “We close early on Thursdays cause these guys need to get home to their families during the week, we’re also closed on the weekends.”

However when the store is open the employees are kept busy. “If you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean,” Eddie said with a smile. “If you don’t show integrity you can’t work for me. Andy Carlos taught me about having a good moral ethic and while we may not be the cheapest we’re not the most expensive either, we’re honest and fair.”

You can learn more about Fast Eddie’s Tire Pros here on their website. They’re located just south of the Fred Meyer at 8810 Evergreen Way in south Everett, Washington, The phone number is (425) 355-7110. Monday thru Wednesday and Friday 8AM-5PM and Thursdays 7AM-4PM, closed Saturday and Sunday.