Both men decided to take their love of working on small engines and turn it into a business.

By December, they had begun doing work out of Johnson’s garage in Quinnesec but quickly outgrew the location and moved to their present site at W4789 U.S. 2 in Vulcan.

Chellew is a Norway native who was a union laborer for several years until an injury disabled him and left him looking for something to do with his time. Johnson is originally from Ishpeming and is making the transition from being a FedEx truck driver to full-time small engine mechanic.

Chellew said he began working on engines even before high school, such as tinkering with boat motors. Both Chellew and Johnson own side-by-sides and had never taken them elsewhere for service.

WHEN WEATHER ALLOWS, the building’s exterior will be painted in the J&M Repair signature colors, orange and black. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

While small engines are not as technical to work on, they can be more difficult to work on than cars due to them being so tight and compact, Chellew and Johnson said.

“It is hard with small engines — a lot of people do not want to deal with them because it is so frustrating,” Chellew said.

Chellew and Johnson only recently found the Vulcan location, fixed up the building with a new furnace and office area in between taking care of customers. When weather allows, the building’s exterior will be painted in the J&M Repair signature colors, orange and black.

Chellew said the region has a definite need for J&M Repair’s services.

“There are a couple of places, but they get like $100 an hour and they are always packed; they turn a lot of people away,” Chellew said.

J&M Repair will work on just about any type of small engine, including ATVs, side-by-sides, snowmobiles, motor bikes, outboard motors, snow blowers, lawn mowers and even leaf blowers and chainsaws.

J&M Repair also offers boat winterizing and for a small fee will come and pick up the machine.

Chellew said snow blowers kept them busy this winter and, after a brief lull, business is once again picking up with customers getting lawn mowers ready for the upcoming season.

Chellew is happy with the positive feedback he has received so far and said that aside from their technical know-how, they offer something extra.

“Communication and friendly service,” he said. “A lot of places will say, ‘This is what we will do’ then it is done, here is your bill,” Chellew said. “We communicate with them, tell them here is what we are thinking it is and the parts you need and if you give us the OK, how much time we are going to need. Communication is key.”

Chellew and Johnson say they will never outgrow those values and if they get that busy will hire help to keep up.

While they will offer military discounts, they otherwise plan to keep regular prices as low as they can at all times and not take a markup on parts, Chellew said.

Chellew and Johnson both say they are dreaming big, hoping to eventually grow out of their current location and become a dealership of some sort or perhaps sell lawn mowers and snow blowers.

J&M Repair is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They can be reached at 906-396-0025.

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The Daily News plans to highlight some of the new businesses in the region. Know of one that recently opened or changed hands? Contact Jim Paul at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or jpaul@ironmountaindailynews.com.