Cars are only the beginning…

Local businesses are the heart of a community like Grantsville, and business owners here know that. They often put everything on the line to bring a good or service to an area that wouldn’t otherwise have it. Seeing a need and filling it was something Kaidon Elmer sought to do in his community as he started Elmer Automotive, but his desire to help others reaches far beyond just fixing cars.  

Kaidon: A Helper at Heart

“I love helping people,” Kaidon says over and over, and his life reflects this sentiment. From the model of his automotive business to his volunteer work at the fire department, each aspect of his day revolves around how he can help others. Kaidon says that he grew up with a love of helping others and that this was the core reason for starting his business. “The driving factor behind starting my business was wanting to help people.”

Kaidon has been a resident of Grantsville for nearly 30 years. “Twenty-nine years and six months,” he says with a smile.  “I tried West Valley for about six months; that’s all I could stomach. And I came back.” 

His family roots grow deep in the soil. His uncle and grandfather both served as volunteer firefighters before him, making him a third-generation firefighter with Grantsville Fire. “I’ve been volunteering with the fire department for almost 10 years. I love helping people.”

The Frustration That Sparked a Business

Living in Grantsville, Kaidon realized there was a problem getting automobiles serviced and repaired. “I noticed we would have to go to one place if we wanted tires,  then take it to another place to do an alignment, and if you need parts replaced, then you have to take it to a third shop,” he observed. “It was frustrating that we had to go to multiple places.” People were losing time and money bouncing around — or needing to leave the county altogether for the service they needed, and that didn’t seem right to him. 

 Kaidon Elmer envisioned a single trusted place that handles everything you need for automotive repair.  His vision was inspired by his time working at Quality Tire in West Valley, where they could repair any problems you brought in. There have been a lot of growing pains in getting something like that started here, but he wants to bring that same convenience and reliability home to Grantsville.

 “That’s my overall big picture. It doesn’t matter what it is, we want to make it easier to get repairs, not only for the everyday consumers, but the companies with fleets.”

 He hopes to eventually get a brick-and-mortar facility to increase visibility for his business. 

What Makes Elmer Automotive Truly Special

“I think realistically, what’s unique to us is we very rarely say no,” Kaidon says, and when he does have to say “No,” it is usually because there is a different way to do things, and he will suggest an alternative. Kaidon likes to find a solution to the problem, and not just shut people down, even when the issues are not straightforward. 

“We come and do a proper diagnosis, like when you go to the doctor, and they’d actually test and figure out what’s wrong before giving you medicine.” Elmer Automotive wants to fix the issues in your car, and not just change parts. “That’s one thing a lot of people don’t realize that when a part breaks, something else causes them to break.” He feels they can save customers hundreds by looking into root causes rather than just patching up symptoms. He wants to solve problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. “We typically can find it and fix it for a lot less.”

“We don’t want to just change parts. We don’t want to throw a little oil in or give you a temporary duct tape fix. We want to fix it the first time. Our main focus is helping you out in the best way possible.”

Elmer Automotive is unique in that it is a fully mobile setup that meets people where they need help. Whether it’s a driveway, field, or worksite, they can repair on location. Kaidon proudly says, “It doesn’t matter what you need done. We come and do it. We’re set up to do anything in the field.” His business has become a lifeline for busy families, fleet vehicles, and folks unable to travel.

Most importantly, Kaidon Elmer wants his business to provide customer service that feels human. “Honestly, I love meeting new people,” he says. “It helps to understand their personal struggles, and it just feels good.” With his outgoing personality, Kaidon finds it fulfilling to meet new neighbors and hear their stories. He is genuinely curious about their lives and wants them to come away from the experience happy and grateful. 

Where Business Meets Heart: Serving the Community Every Day

Beyond business, his commitment to the community shows up through his service in the fire department. “We are a full volunteer fire department, but we train, certify, and perform just like a full-time, paid department. If you were to call and needed us to come,  whether we volunteer or not, you want us to perform.” And they do perform, providing fire safety for the community and other outreach programs. That is the kind of mindset they have.

He currently serves as the president of the department’s non-profit outreach programs. “The things I enjoy the most are the public meet and greets or the fire prevention programs, when we go around to the schools.” The joy of watching his uncle and grandfather serve during his childhood sparked his ten years of service.  He loves to see the kids’ faces as they go in the community. 

“Just seeing that same light that I had in my eyes is what gets it for me. Because I was that little boy once.” 

Balancing a growing business with deep community service isn’t easy, but it’s precisely why his reputation stands out. Honesty, heart, and a refusal to cut corners have built trust across Tooele County– “I just thoroughly enjoy helping people.”

The Challenges He Faces — and What They’ve Taught Him

Running a business is not without challenges. Repairs can be costly, and often more expensive than the customer hoped. Kaidon wants to repair things the right way, not with quick fixes that will cost more in the long run. It is challenging to get that through to the customer.

City licensing and zoning have also been challenging to navigate as he seeks to build a place for his business. The company’s growth and increased demand for staff have required creative solutions and adaptations. But growing a business is a lot like fixing a car. You have to seek out the causes of the problems, not just the symptoms, and keep moving and problem-solving until the machine runs smoothly. 

 

“We’re usually on, plan X for 90% of the time. It’s nothing but problem-solving. It’s just like fixing a vehicle; figure out the solution to the problem.”

Even amidst all the chaos of running a business, Kaidon has learned some simple truths. Fix it right the first time. Help people the best he can by making vehicle repairs easier for everyone. Help families to feel taken care of, not taken advantage of. And keep it local if you can.

A Neighbor You Can Call, Not Just a Mechanic 

From fire trucks to family minivans, Kaidon Elmer isn’t just fixing cars.
He’s easing stress.
He’s restoring trust.
He’s showing up — whether that’s for a broken-down vehicle or an emergency call.

 

His mission stays the same: serve first, serve well, and take care of the people who call this place home.

And for many in Tooele County, that makes all the difference.

–Written by A.A. Woodruff. She lives with her family in Pocatello, ID. She loves hikes, time with her family, and writing books and poems.