Good service, honesty and friendliness are three reasons George and Laura Calisto, owners of George's Auto Electric in Selkirk, have reached the one million dollar sales milestone in only three and a half years.

George's Auto Electric employs two full-time and one part-time staff. The company specializes in servicing and exchanging starters and alternators and is a dealer for Monarch Pumps, GE Electric Motors and East Penn Batteries. "You must believe in the products that you sell because if you don't the customer won't either", says George with confidence.

When they opened for business in October 1997, the Community Futures North Red clients projected first year sales of $150,000. They achieved $267,000 in sales their first year, almost double their projections. Sales have increased ever since with $302,000 in 2000. On March 17, 2001 George and Laura Calisto reached the million dollar milestone which they attribute to the customers they have proudly served. "If it weren't for the customers we wouldn't be here", says George.

To George and Laura customers are special people, they are not just a sales statistic. George believes in excellent work for a fair price. If he cannot beat a price, he will let the customer know where he can find what he is looking for.

Since October 1998 the Calistos have been donating returned battery credits from East Penn Battery to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Selkirk. Other businesses rebate the return to the customer but the couple feels this is their way of giving back to the community. Customers are happy to participate in the program and to date the response has been excellent.

George's Auto Electric puts the customer first. The growth of their business is a direct result of taking the time to explain problems to the customer and helping them understand what is needed to correct them. As George puts it, "We want to make the customer feel comfortable and understand what we need to do to get them back on the road".