The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Laura Wilhite, The Quill
Seth Berlett talks about his business, Berlett Autoworks, located on the northwest corner of La Harpe off Highway 94.
What peaked your interest in cars? Did you help your dad with his vehicles when you were a child?
I always liked cars from a small child, especially classic cars. I started working on cars at a young age with there being pictures of me at age five working on a motor.
I got my first car, a Chevy Nova when I was 12. I worked on it and had it ready for the road when I turned 16. I still own it today.
When did you realize that you wanted to open your own business?
My plan when I went to college was to open my own business.
I decided it would be a good thing to get some experience before starting my own business, so I worked for Shottenkirk in Ft Madison body shop for about 12 years, then opened my own and have been opened for 11 years this November.
When did you open your shop?
We opened the shop on November 1st 2014.
What services do you provide?
We mainly do Insurance/Collision/Refinishing repair, but also do a few classic car restorations.
We strive to keep the most up to date equipment that we can to keep up with the ever changing new vehicles.
We do frame straightening, glass replacement, and PDR repair also.
Where are you located and what is your contact information?
315 North State Highway 94 La Harpe IL, 61450.
Our shop phone is 217-659-3545.
What were the first 5 years like? Did you get a lot of business?
The first year was the hardest, just getting established and learning how a business operates?
The hardest part was trying to figure out how to deal with insurance companies and learn the office side of the business. My wife April, thankfully deals with most of that.
We have always been blessed with enough work for the most part.
We are fortunate to work in an area with tons of deer that keep us busy.
How many employees do you have?
We have 1 full time employee, Shane Lewis that has been with us almost eight years.
Our daughter Alexa helps out a lot of the time with office stuff, to detailing the completed cars, to sanding parts to be painted.
What is your favorite part about working in La Harpe?
La Harpe is all we have ever known and wouldn’t change it.
We love the small town feeling and knowing most of our customers personally.
What advice do you have for someone that is thinking about opening up their own business in this area?
Just be prepared to work hard and do your best.
Left to Right: Shane Lewis, Alexa, April and Seth Berlett