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Jim Welch was on his way to pursuing an accounting degree when he took a job at a local car dealership. The more he got involved in the automotive business, the more he discovered he enjoyed it much more than accounting. After working for the dealership and an independent shop, he decided to build his own auto repair business in 1982. A Northern Bank branch was right across the street from the shop he rented, so he walked across the street to the bank each day to make his daily deposits. That started his 40+ year relationship working with Northern Bank.
“I was just a 25-year-old kid when I started my first business and learning what's involved in starting and running a business is probably the biggest challenge,”
Jim said. “You kind of learn as you go along. When I worked at the dealership, they were dealing with bigger banks and I felt I needed a bank that was more hands on. Northern Bank seemed to be a smaller bank working directly with local customers. It was more intimate and personal and that’s what I liked about it right away.”
"I set up my accounts for the repair shop in Billerica at Northern Bank and was a customer at the Billerica branch for years,"
Jim explained. “I also got my first home loan at Northern. When a friend told me about a repair shop in Littleton that was for sale, I called Northern Bank to inquire about a loan because I was interested in buying the property.”
“Mr. Mawn, one of the owners of the bank, went to take a look at the property. He came back and said it was a good piece of property at a fair price,” Jim continued. “If I wasn’t going to buy the property, he said, the bank was going to buy the property. He could have gone and bought the property and told me, I didn’t get the loan. But he stood by what he said and loaned me the money. That’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed with the bank all these years, because of that conversation and that level of integrity.”
“For me, it’s not just a business relationship. It’s personal,” Jim explained. “I’ve been approached by other banks asking me to move my loans and accounts over to them and I told them, they are just wasting their time. Northern Bank has always stuck by me and that means more to me than anything else. Anytime I’ve approached the bank, they’ve gone out of the way to get the deal done. No matter what idea I come up with, they find a way to make it work.”
"We currently own and operate One Stop Automotive and One Stop Auto Wash in Chelmsford.
My son owns the car wash. We’re looking at other properties where it makes sense to open up another one,” he said. “I would definitely work with Northern Bank again. No question. When you have that history with a bank and you know they’ll get it done, you’re confident. Northern Bank always keeps their word.”
Jim Welch has been an entrepreneur in the automotive business for over four decades running repair shops in Billerica, Littleton and now in Chelmsford. One Stop Automotive and One Stop Auto Wash (owned by his son) are his latest ventures. Both of his sons work with him and he says, “they will be the ones looking at potential properties to expand the business. I’ve been doing this a long time now and they have worked alongside me. They’ll be ready.”
Eddie Panozzo is an entrepreneur through and through. His mom and dad each owned their own businesses and Eddie always dreamed of opening his own restaurant. After working his way up in various fine dining restaurants, he achieved that goal. Later on, he decided to take a job in the corporate world and become a supplier. Still, there was a nagging notion in his mind that he should start something for himself.
When Copy-Pro owner, Bob Klein, was working as a technician for a local copier dealership, he developed a keen understanding of how to provide good customer service and how to keep customers happy and coming back. So, when he started his Copy-Pro business at the tender age of 21, he was determined that his business would be a service-oriented company.
After 11 years with Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership - including a transformative start as a first-time homebuyer herself - Cathy Mercado now leads the organization as Executive Director. When her longtime community bank announced a merger, she needed a new partner who would show up for the community the way she does every day.
Contact us now to learn more about how Northern Bank can help you realize your goals and dreams.