SANTA ROSA, Calif. (June 8, 2016) — AAMCO Transmission Inc.'s franchise operation has signed on new owners for its service center in Santa Rosa.
The location's new owners are Marjan Barabian and her husband Basim Mughannam, who have been residents of Sonoma County for 25 years, according to AAMCO, which said the duo took over the outlet on Feb. 1.
Horsham, Pa.-based AAMCO said Mr. Mughannam “has always had a passion for cars,” and spent his early years as an auto mechanic in a number of local shops owned by his family. “He brings an extensive business background to AAMCO, as he owns a 25-year-old local commercial custom cabinetry business,” the franchiser added.
Ms. Barabian, who will manage the day-to-day operations, spent more than 17 years in the professional beauty industry, working for companies, like Chanel, and holding executive positions with OPI, Sexy Hair and Dior.
The company did not say who the shop's previous owner was or the circumstances surrounding the new ownership.
The shop — at 1250 Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa, the county seat of Sonoma County with an estimated population of about 174,170 — has six service bays and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, according to Horsham-based AAMCO.
“When my husband and I were looking for businesses for me to operate, I knew regardless of the industry it must be something I would enjoy learning and have a passion for,” Ms. Barabian said in an AAMCO press release. “My father taught me about auto mechanics while growing up and by the time I was 15 years old, I already knew how to change a car's tire and oil.
“When we first met with AAMCO and walked into the Santa Rosa location, I instantly felt this was the right opportunity for us. As a new business owner, I want the AAMCO of Santa Rosa to be a place where customers can also feel at home and just as confident in our assessments and repair work as we are. Customer satisfaction stands as our utmost priority.”
According to AAMCO, Ms. Barabian admitted “she is still learning all of the ‘nuts and bolts' of a transmission,” but is “confident in her business acumen and that her seasoned team of expert technicians will continue to drive the business forward.”
Brian O'Donnell, senior vice president of franchise sales at AAMCO Transmission Inc., noted that a number of the company's franchisees “are not automotive industry professionals and come from a variety of backgrounds, but they are all passionate about entrepreneurship.
“Given the brand's extensive training and ongoing support, each and every one of our franchise owners are set up for success.”
Established in 1962, AAMCO operates nearly 700 service centers across the U.S. and Canada.