C and E Automotive: The road to entrepreneurship

His father’s side hustle became his profession. 

Charles Johnson, Jr., grew up watching his dad tinker with automobiles. It wasn’t long before he was helping his dad. By the time the younger Johnson was 16 years old – and ready for his own first vehicle – it became a father-son project. 

“When I was little, my dad used to work on cars for our family and friends,” Johnson said. “He’d do brakes and tune-ups, and stuff like that. He’d do his own motor and transmission job, and I always watched him. When I got my first car – it was an ’82 Mustang he got me – he and I put in the transmission. That’s when I started getting a passion for it.” 

For whatever reason, Johnson’s dad never did open his own shop. 

Johnson, however, decided to go the entrepreneurial route, opening up C & E Automotive in November of 2001. The business focuses on paint and bodywork, custom detailing, and repair work. 

In 23 years of business, Johnson has learned that entrepreneurship comes with risk. 

“Being a risk-taker means you have to take risks and not be afraid of the outcome,” Johnson said. “My family had some land out in Stuarts Draft. We were out there, and I was detailing cars with my uncle, and he was like, ‘Man, you need to get a shop.’” 

A business, however, is more daunting than a side hustle. 

“I was scared,” Johnson said, thinking back, “because my father did.” 

Eventually, Johnson did take the plunge, starting his business on North Augusta Street. 

In business for over two decades, Johnson has overcome his share of challenges, including a life-altering event in 2015. A difficult event eventually helped him rediscover his faith. Years later, Johnson is studying for ministry and even has a vehicle he uses to feed community members experiencing homelessness. 

Johnson also wants his faith to inform his business. He aims to do everything with integrity.  “The main thing I could encourage in business is just to keep your integrity right,” Johnson said. “You just have to have that passion and integrity to look people in the eye and tell them I can do the job, or I can’t do the job. Don’t just jump on anything you could do to get money in the door.” 

Story and photos by Chris Lassiter. Chris Lassiter is the director of engagement and inclusion at the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge. He highlights businesses for the Staunton Black Business Collective.