TAMPA – The sight of automotive batteries scattered in front of a building along with workers covered in grease, may not seem like the image of a successful business, but that isn’t the case for this small automotive battery shop. “The customer base continually grows, but we still service customers that have been coming since we started selling batteries 35 years ago,” said Larry Calhoun.

Calhoun, owner of Square Deal Battery, worked with customers and prepared for a day at the shop on Monday morning, while he talked about the history of his business and its success over the years.

Over 969 automotive repair shops advertise in the local Yellow Pages, 19 of them specializing in batteries. Given that number, competition seems as though it would be an issue for Square Deal Battery, but that isn’t the case.

“On an average day we sell and replace 150 batteries, on a busy day about 300 and on a slow day about 90,” said Calhoun.

According to Jaymes Kehoe, who has been an employee at the shop for six years, any other battery store in the area, like Sam’s Club, Pep Boys, Discount Auto Parts and Interstate Battery, are considered to be competition, but Square Deal’s batteries are substantially cheaper, so as of right now there is no serious competitors.

Calhoun has worked at the shop for nearly 35 years, and he just recently became the owner three years ago. “I started working for the shop when I was 16 years old and have been here ever since,” said Calhoun. “This is the only real job I have ever had.”

According to Calhoun owning a business is a challenge, but figuring out how to overcome those challenges is what makes a business successful. “As a business owner you want a level of service given to the customers that is above and beyond anything they can get anywhere else; the challenge in that lies within finding the right employees,” said Calhoun. “Finding employees who will provide this kind of service to your customers and be trustworthy is a difficult task.”

Calhoun believes that at Square Deal Battery there are employees who are both excellent with customers and honest. Good employees aren’t easy to come by, and Calhoun didn’t just get lucky. “You lead by example,” said Calhoun. “My former boss, taught by example, and he taught me the proper way to talk, handle and deal with customers. When you lead by example, your employees watch you.”

The shop is home to a total of 11 employees. Some have been there as long as 22 years. “When we find a good employee, we like to keep them,” said Calhoun.

“I really do enjoy working here,” said Kehoe. “I love to see the smile on people’s faces when I see their car start up after I finish replacing their battery.”

Due to this positive attitude, Square Deal Battery has a customer base that continues to grow. They have many loyal customers who have been coming for years that refer their relatives and friends.

“The employees are always very helpful, and I have always had a great experience here,” said Susan Bailey, 51, who has been a Square Deal Battery customer for 30 years. “Friends, family, strangers, I recommend this shop to everyone.”