CARSTAR Universal of Fort Oglethorpe: James White

by Jodi Varnado

As we enter into a busy holiday season packed with hurried shopping trips and family travel, road and weather accidents can happen regretfully and unexpectedly. If you find yourself and your vehicle in need of accident support, towing assistance, or damage repair, the welcoming team at CARSTAR Universal of Fort Oglethorpe is ready to help!

CARSTAR, North America’s premier network of independently owned collision repair facilities with more than 500 locations, has found its roots throughout our neighborhoods. Georgia franchise owner, James White, is proud to serve the Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe, and Ringgold communities with four locations. CARSTAR has been a part of the White family for over ten years. “My uncle, Ken White, opened Ken’s Bodyworks in 1997 and then joined CARSTAR in 2010,” said White. “I started working for him in July of 2010.”

As a construction worker turned Auto Body Shop owner, White never imagined he would find himself where he is today. “It was a gift from God that put me in this spot,” said White. “My wife and I built many houses, and we would move into them until they sold. In 2008 when the economy crashed, it was all we could do to survive. For two years, we were only making ends meet, and then one day, Ken called and asked if I would be interested in working for him. After taking time to pray about it and discuss it with my wife, I decided to join the venture. It was later, in 2014, that he decided to sell it to me.”

The family business has flourished since 2015 when White purchased Ken’s CARSTAR North and opened a second location one short year later. Since then, White has opened two additional locations in the Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold areas. Today, White and his CARSTAR

team of fifty-five employees—led by Tony Blansit, Spencer Stewart, Eddie White, and Zach Clark—continue to support these communities with compassionate care. “I credit all of our success to God and my amazing team. God has opened many doors for me and this business. Here at CARSTAR, we firmly believe in helping others and being honest. We love to tell our customers that the reason we are booked out for months at a time is that God has blessed us,” said White.

CARSTAR Universal of Fort Oglethorpe offers 24/7 accident support and towing assistance, dent repair, dent removal, storm damage repair, and other collision services. They repair all makes and models of vehicles, work with most insurance companies, and offer a limited nationwide warranty. The sentiment of their slogan— Relax, we’ll take it from here—is felt as quickly as a phone call or a step into the shop’s easygoing environment. “The Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe locations are unique due to their small-town feel. They are extremely laid back and welcome everyone! Both areas are very close-knit, and everyone around knows you or someone you may know,” said White. White’s Georgia locations are centered around community support and charity involvement. “We focus about 80% of our advertising budget on local grass root areas—from sponsoring schools, Little League teams, local fire and police departments, Special Needs organizations, Cystic Fibrosis organizations, and the Miracle League,” said White.

CARSTAR’s characterizing phrase, “a trustworthy Auto Body Shop,” is backed by White’s attention to customer care and mission-minded business approach. “We do all we can to use the shops as a tool to spread the gospel—from giving out Bibles, using the shop as a platform to invite customers to church, to pray with customers in the office, and to simply lead and live by example. I can honestly say we try our best to be disciples of God on an everyday basis at all of our locations,” said White. “I love to help out our customers who have been in an accident, and I enjoy seeing the smile on their faces when we are able to get them going again.”

If you find yourself in need of auto body repair this holiday season, call CARSTAR Universal of Fort Oglethorpe at (706)-965-4946. Visit CARSTAR’s website, www.carstar.com, to request an estimate or appointment time. CARSTAR Universal of Fort Oglethorpe is located at 5407 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, GA. They are open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.