By Leanna Lehman —
Fallon welcomes to the community a new small engine repair shop, Bighorn ATV & Small Engine Repair, owned and operated by Joey and Star Olsen. With the doors opening Monday, February 18th, the niche repair shop will specialize in ATVs, side-by-sides, lawn tractors, push mowers, and water pumps along with other small engine work.
As new technology in small engines is making it more difficult for individuals to perform their own maintenance, the local couple has been waiting for the ideal time to launch a small engine repair business. After years of waiting and six months of actively searching for a suitable location, the perfect space at 49 N. Nevada Street became available when Lester’s Automotive moved to his new East Street location. “The right opportunity was presented to me and it’s something I have wanted to do since college,” states Olsen, “It was like dominoes fell into place.”
Joey Olsen started in small engine repair after completing Motorcycle Technician Training with Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in 2006. He then began putting wrench to bolt with Renner Equipment Company here in Fallon. For nearly ten years, he was a shop technician and further developed his skills in small engine maintenance and repair. After transitioning to Renner's sales department in 2017, Olsen realized that he preferred getting his hands dirty and has been working toward his entrepreneurial goals ever since.
After working with Small Business Develoment Center (SBDC) at Churchill Economic Development Authority (CEDA) during the initial phase of organization and establishing with the Fallon Chamber of Commerce, Bighorn ATV is excited to be part of our local community of merchants.
Early on, the Olsen’s sought to utilize local businesses to get the Bighorn ATV up and running; Louie’s Ace Hardware topped the list, signage from Fallon Glass & Sign, computer work by Steve Young with Nevada Computer Works, and even a speedy trade with Wings & Things Food Truck after a muffler mishap that Joey was able to salvage. Laughing at the telling of the story, Olsen quickly adds “but I don’t work for food.”
Before the ink was dry on Bighorn ATV’s new business cards, the word was out. Customers were hoping to book slots for their equipment long before the lease was signed. “Actually, people have been asking me for years to start a repair business,” Olsen said. “It just wasn’t the right time.”
Looking forward, he hopes to eventually build a stand-alone shop where he can design a custom layout more suited to the type of equipment he will be storing. But for now, they are focusing on goals like not have long waiting lists for customers and earning a reputation for turning out quality work and keeping costs down for customers. The Olsens agree, “We want Bighorn to be known for doing it right the first time.”
Bighorn ATV & Small Engine Repair: https://www.facebook.com/BighornATVandSmallEnginerepair/
775-315-3245
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