Trusted Auto Mechanics
Disrupting Car Care in Columbus, OH
Here to challenge how the auto industry operates everywhere.
Meet Your Car Care Big Sis
(Hi, I’m Alissa!)
Will and I didn’t start Penelope’s Garage with a lifelong dream of opening an auto shop. We started it because we saw how the car care system actually works, and once we saw it, we couldn’t unsee it.
Before Penelope’s, we were deep in the world of Washington, DC politics. High-pressure environments, long hours, big expectations, and wins that didn’t always feel connected to real life. After we started a family, our priorities shifted. We wanted work that felt honest and rooted in our community.
When we moved back to Columbus, Will leaned into a long-standing curiosity about how things work, especially cars. He completed automotive coursework at Columbus State and worked as a technician at Firestone. Meanwhile, I was experiencing the auto industry from the customer side while helping run our car rental business. The pattern was always the same: confusing explanations, pressure-filled recommendations, and pricing that fell apart under scrutiny.
Between what Will saw in the shop and my experience as a customer, it became obvious that the industry wasn’t designed around trust. It was designed around transactions. Penelope’s Garage is our response to that reality.
Meet THE Penelope’s Team
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![A woman with dark hair, wearing sunglasses and a patterned scarf on her head, is sitting inside a car reading a newspaper.]()
Alissa
I run Penelope’s Garage, and most importantly, I’m Penelope’s mom! I’m here to bring order to an industry that thrives on confusion. I come from a world where clarity mattered, and advocacy was non-negotiable, and I’ve carried that into car care. I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 25, so trust me when I say I understand what it’s like to feel intimidated by cars. My mission is to make this whole experience feel calmer and a lot less like you’re being talked down to.
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![A man working on a vehicle in a garage, holding a power drill, surrounded by tools, with a smile on his face.]()
Will
I’m the mechanic and the one who keeps the cars (and this place) running. Oh, and most importantly, I’m Penelope’s dad! I combine formal training with real shop experience, and I take the time to explain what’s going on under the hood without the BS. I do it right the first time, don’t cut corners, and never pressure people into repairs they don’t need.
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![A young girl, wearing safety glasses and a blue shirt with a cartoon graphic, is sitting on a stool in a workshop or garage, holding a tool.]()
Penelope
Hi, I’m Penelope — yes, THAT Penelope. I’m the reason this place has my name on the door. I showed up early, surprised everyone, and made it clear from day one that I was not here to follow the script. I’m the real boss around here, and everyone knows it. It’s my world; everyone else is just living in it.
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![A family of four posing outdoors in front of a beige, metal roll-up door. A young boy with brown hair in a bright blue winter jacket is on the left, smiling. Next to him is a young girl with light brown hair tied in pigtails with pink bows, wearing an orange jacket with cartoon animal prints, looking slightly to the side.]()
William Jr.
Hi, I’m William, the other Will. No garage named after me (yet), but I’m part of the operation. I help clean cars and keep morale high.
“I love Penelope's Garage. They take care of everything for a flat fee. Oil changes, tire pressure, and cleaning. Will handles all the mechanics in-house and charges for materials at cost, so they aren't making a profit from overhead. My car maintenance costs have reduced by $1000 a year!” —Rick, member since 2025
We’ll Obsess Over Your Vehicle So You Don’t Have To
If you’re ready for a better way to care for your car, we’re ready for you. Book your free consultation (with free vehicle inspection) today and learn why Columbus, OH drivers trust us with their auto repair needs.