Three Arizona entrepreneurs are combining business success with community service, as Freedom Brands LLC has expanded its auto repair services across Arizona while giving back to local residents in big ways.
Led by co-presidents Gene Boiseau, Jake Brown and Jake Morrow, the multi-store business includes five Meineke Car Care franchises and four Maaco locations across Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott.
“We opened in June 2020 and the business has been booming ever since,” said Morrow. “We provide affordable paint jobs with collision repair for the car owner, and we provide our fleet customers a great combination of quality, speed and affordability for both paint, collision repair, mechanical repair and maintenance all in one stop. It has really been a winning combination for us.”
The team doubled down on that winning combination to create a dynamic community philanthropy program.
“We are grateful to be in a position where we have a successful enterprise and are in a position to be able to give back,” said Boiseau. “We all believe strongly that when you have been fortunate enough to experience success, it is important to help others less fortunate for whatever reason.”
One of the many ways that they have accomplished that is providing reliable transportation to people in need through the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program. Their goal is to gift four vehicles a year.
So far, the company has gifted three cars to individuals facing challenging circumstances, including a mother of four children, two of whom have autism, and a single mother leaving an abusive relationship. The team is currently working on its fourth vehicle donation.
“We believe very strongly about the importance of giving back to those in need, and the NABC Recycled Rides program has given us the opportunity to do that with a turnkey program,” said Brown. “We always like to see the smile on the face of a satisfied customer when we deliver their car, but this takes it to a whole different level when you see the joy on the face of these people struggling to take care of their families without a reliable vehicle. You realize that you are truly changing a life. It is humbling and rewarding.”
In addition to the vehicle donation program, the company supports the community through food drives, backpack collections for underprivileged children, and collaborations with local rotary club fundraisers. Freedom Brands has also established the Freedom Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to expanding these outreach efforts across Arizona.
