Editor's Note: Each month, Inver Grove Heights Patch asks the owners of a well-established, local business what makes them successful. We publish their answers in our regular feature, "Secrets to Success."

When Paul Goodwill was 16 he bought his first car—a 1967 Chevelle. There was only one problem: He didn't have enough money to pay someone else to fix his car when it needed repairs, so he learned how to do it himself.

Little did he know then that it was the start of his lifelong career in the automotive repair industry.

Now 55, Goodwill is the owner of Paul's Auto and Tire Center, located along 65th St. E in Inver Grove Heights. He took over ownership of the business that was formerly known as Wayne's Auto and Tire in 2005 and has been doing what he does best ever since—providing general auto repair and preventative maintenance as well as tire and wheel services. If it needs to be fixed or repaired, Paul's can do it. They repair just about anything and everything—except transmissions.

The secret to success is simple, says Goodwill. Provide excellent customer service, treat others fairly and most of all, be honest. That's why the majority of his business is from referrals and many customers have put their trust in him for over 25 years, he said.

"So many people think the mechanic is out to rip you off," said Goodwill. "So there is a stigma about this type of business. But I wouldn't have a business if it wasn't for referrals. I'm proud to say we have a strong reputation as an honest repair shop. If I wouldn't do it to my car, I wouldn't do it to your car. Times are tough. People just can't fork out money. I've always taken pride in being honest with the customer and providing great service. It's a simple philosophy."

And a philosophy that works. Paul's has an 'A' rating by the Better Business Bureau. One satisfied customer said this about the shop on an online review:

"Paul's is a very honest a reliable shop. I had just moved to town and happened upon them. Now I take my car there 100 percent of the time. Very busy shop, but worth the wait!"

Within a five-minute span on a Monday, Goodwill went out and looked at a customer’s engine, signed off on an invoice from a parts delivery person and then took a phone call from a customer. The shop has seven bays and all six that were open were full. His team of three employees are certainly busy, but busy is the sign of a company with a strong reputation.

"Mondays are especially busy," says Goodwill, as he runs to his office for a minute. "Cars break down on the weekends and people are here bright and early Monday mornings needing them to get fixed."

Goodwill was born in South Saint Paul but moved to Eden Prairie after his father passed away when he was 10 and his mother remarried. He's made visits to Inver Grove Heights his entire life, and got his start working at a local Mobile station, where he worked for nearly 25 years. He went to work for Wayne's before eventually buying the business and becoming the owner.

"My dad died when I was young and my mother raised me to be honest and considerate," he said. "She taught me to try to do the best you can for people and that's what I do. I consider Inver Grove Heights home and I consider many of my customer’s friends. It's really simple, I want to make a living and do a good job, but do so by being fair without gouging the customer. I'm just trying to do a job and be fair doing it."