Auto Body Shop That
Fixes Cars and Changes Lives

story by K.J. NALLY

Jonathon Best isn’t your average Body Shop Director. He runs his company with a passion and purpose that is contagious to his customers. This past year, Jonathon opened a new Fender Mender in Beaufort, expanding from his successful eight locations in Charleston. “We love Beaufort, and we love the community,” exclaimed Jonathon.

“We are devoted to our customers and their families,” explains Jonathon. “And, we understand our commitment to restoring their vehicles and taking care of their family whenever we are called upon. Fender Mender knows that car accidents are something you cannot prepare for, so we take pride in always being prepared for you.”

Jonathon explained that his father worked in the car industry also. “Growing up, my dad and I used to work on cars in our back yard. He would bring me to his shop, and I would help sweep up and learn about cars in my free time,” recalled Jonathon. The owner of Fender Mender also took Jonathon ‘under his wing,’ teaching him what he knew of the business over lunch. “I listened and learned every day. He taught me for many years, taking me in as if I was his family. I learned a lifetime of business from him,” said Jonathon. Over the years, he worked up the business ladder from detail, parts, estimator, assistant, and General Manager. Until he prepared and saved “every penny he made” and built his own store.

“I opened because I wanted to create something bigger than myself and something big enough that we would be able to make an impact on the world,” smiled Jonathon. The Charleston store became one of the most successful stores ever built in the Fender Mender Organization. Then Jonathon took the role of Chief Executive Officer for the entire Fender Mender Organization. “I reorganized the business, I restructured my teams, and I spent much time on the mental aspect of myself and my team,” said Jonathon.

“I believe wholeheartedly in reciprocating the inspiration my teams gave me. I learned how to help my team understand that we are not working for a paycheck, but for a vision. As a group or better yet as a family, we became unstoppable. My vision is continuous growth and continuous improvement while creating jobs for people that want to work and support their families and friends.”

“Fender Mender became a large fine-tuned machine that our great team will help to make the world a better place,” explained Jonathon. “The world is a big place, yes, I know. Being part of a company that restores people’s vehicles, we make customers happy by being there for them in a time of need, supporting employees and their families by paying them more than anyone in the industry, training young men and woman at no charge so they are able to adapt and survive in this tough world, and our most recently added mission to launch our non-profit company this year.” Jonathon understands that we change the world one person, one act of service at a time. He’s doing his part and hopes to inspire others to do theirs.

“Our goal is to become the best automotive collision center in every market we serve,” said Jonathon. “We become friends with our customers. We are not scared of commitment, a lifetime relationship to you and your family is what we aim to create. We love our customers, we love our employees, and we love what we do!”

Charleston native, Jonathon Best, and his wife stopped for lunch in Beaufort when they were passing through on the way to Hilton Head. “When I drove through downtown Beaufort, I was overwhelmed by how much it was like Charleston. Beaufort is just a smaller, quainter version of Charleston. We had the most amazing lunch, then we went for a drive through some of the historic homes, and I was astonished at how beautiful the homes were. I fell in love with Beaufort and told my wife if we ever have an opportunity to move here or open a store here than we would,” explained Jonathon.

At the beginning of this summer, Jonathon received a call from a retired Colonel in the Military who owned a body shop in town. Someone anonymously gave him Jonathon’s phone number on the week that he and his wife decided they would explore the area for opportunities. “It felt like there were other energies at work to put us in Beaufort. Now we are here, and we love it!”

Not only do Jonathon and his wife love Beaufort, but he explained, “the Beaufort Community has been wonderful in welcoming us. I feel like I just walked right back into my hometown. The people are what make any city, and the people of Beaufort truly wow me every day,” smiled Jonathon. “We have committed to Beaufort to deliver quality repairs and great service. The people know that we are a new business in town, and they are telling everyone about us.”

Jonathon explains that he prides himself on having an honest company that takes care of the customer, employees, and works honestly with other businesses. “We are playing a small part in being a role model for businesses everywhere,” said Jonathon.

The Fender Mender Organization has always sponsored local schools, sports programs, local charitable events, and team up with the local Military to find military members who need transportation. “We buy wrecked vehicles from our customers than repair these and give them to men or women who served in our military,” explained Jonathon. “We used to pay our employees to fix these vehicles. Now they do it for free. Not because we want them to, but because they want to. Just another example of how giving is contagious.”

A new portion of the business will be to donate a portion of every dollar to help fight mental illness in the communities that we service. After experiencing a mental illness tragedy in their own family, Jonathon and his wife want to make a difference in fighting mental illness. “We do not want anyone to go through the pain of losing a loved one as we did.”

Jonathon explained the people are what excites him to go to work every day. “I love being there for our customers. I am always in search of happiness in our customers. When my team is busy, I enjoy taking a few minutes to walk in the office to have a conversation with customers as they are waiting,” explained Jonathon. “I am not only intrigued to learn about them and their story, but I am also in search of something that will help put a smile on their face!”

The business sign may read, Auto Collision Repair, but what Jonathon Best and his exceptional team truly focus on is making customers happy and keeping them safe. Check out the Fender Mender family off Industrial Village Road. “If we can inspire happiness in people, they will pass it on. A few minutes of conversation while getting your car fixed may pass on a lifetime of happiness!”