In the often male-dominated auto industry, Carolyn Edgington arrives at her shop wearing pink lipstick and mascara. The lovely lady owns and operates a car repair and tire center in Minneola, FL. Though she is dainty, you’ll find her rolling tires across the pavement, ordering parts, and inspecting under hoods.
Like a butterfly, she flits from one responsibility to the next with an airy graciousness. She greets customers by name and makes time to listen to their stories and how their day is going. The genuine welcome she extends—as she juggles 15 tasks at a time—doesn’t reveal the pressure she often feels inside.
Both her parents have health issues, and she serves as the main caregiver. She and her husband have three grandchildren they love to spend time with. When she’s not organizing invoices or running payroll, she coordinates work orders with her mechanics.
“I just pray that I can keep up with everything,” she said. “I feel stretched and the pace is tough.” She has been in the auto industry 16 years, and opened her shop six years ago.
No matter how busy the day gets, she stays cheerful. She keeps containers with sweets on the counter and has a drawer of toys for kids. Still, she admits it is difficult to play all the roles she wants to. “It’s hard to be everything.”
Customers return year after year because she is fair and trustworthy. She takes stressful situations, like when a transmission goes out, and reassures stranded travelers what can be done.
“I try my best to be positive every day,” Carolyn said.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Lake Car Care’s website is https://www.lakecarcarefl.com/.
