Our Story

Sheldon Teierle, Founder and Owner of Mikasa Automotive in Red Deer, has built his business with integrity and perseverance.

His journey, from the inquisitive, motivated child to an entrepreneurial adult and owner of a facility that services import vehicles, has been fueled by his passion to build on the success of the past and to improve the future.

Sheldon comments,

“One of the driving factors of where I am today is that, while we didn’t have a lot of extra money when I was growing up, I wanted to better myself. My first business venture was when I was six years old. I started a Kool-Aid stand, but I noticed that there was more traffic at the ball games at the park nearby, so I made a mobile, portable Kool-Aid stand using my tricycle.”

At age eight, Sheldon became fascinated with lawn mowers:

“My dad gave me his old, broken mower to take apart so I could learn. He gave me a little help, but eventually I got it running myself.”

Sheldon’s natural mechanical and entrepreneurial ability was a key factor, which led him to other business opportunities. He remembers,

“I began to mow lawns and fix mowers for other people.”

Before he was fifteen, Teierle had not only rebuilt several automobiles that he had acquired from various equipment trades, but also had bought a brand new 1990 Isuzu Spacecab truck. Because he was too young to have a driver’s license, Sheldon paid a friend to drive with him around Red Deer so that he could work on his lawn equipment and landscaping jobs. During his high school years, Teierle’s passion for fixing vehicles - particularly imported German vehicles - grew, along with a desire to open an automotive repair shop. 

After working for various agricultural, equipment rental, automotive, and heavy duty mechanic shops, Sheldon decided to open his own automotive repair business, called “Mikasa Performance,” in 2000.

He financed his first shop by hauling heavy equipment on the side. 

In the spring of 2004 Sheldon was reacquainted with a classmate from grade school, Laurel Tym, a Suzuki Violin Teacher. Although they had been childhood rivals, this time was different and they clicked. Both saw a bright future ahead. On August 4, 2008, they were married. Laurel’s father also had his own business, so she was used the non-stop work life that an entrepreneur lives and she wanted to join Sheldon in on the adventure ahead. 

By 2009, Mikasa needed more space for the growing business. Sheldon admits that it was so busy that

“the technicians and I were running back and forth between four separate bays and even had a night shift.”

Eager to expand Mikasa Performance, now called Mikasa Automotive, Sheldon relocated the business one street south of the original location, but kept the business in the Riverside Industrial Park for the central location in the city of Red Deer. This expansion meant 8 service bays, as well as an alignment rack and a wash bay.

With growth and expansion not only with the business, but also at home with 2 beautiful children, Sheldon recruited his wife, Laurel, to take a more active role at Mikasa Automotive. With a Bachelor of Arts in Music, additional training in Suzuki Pedagogy, and a joy for working with people, Laurel transitioned into the role of Business Manager at Mikasa Automotive. Laurel explains,

“Sheldon’s strength is in understanding the mechanical and diagnostic side of our business. I enjoy looking after the financial side of our business, as well as working with the great team we have here at Mikasa.”

Over the years, Mikasa has grown to a team of ten, including five Red Seal Automotive Technicians and a service team. Mikasa’s core values and commitment to excellence continue to be at the centre of everything we do and our award-winning customer service has developed a substantial clientele in the Red Deer community. Sheldon comments,

“It’s rewarding to look back at the growth and to have so many satisfied customers.”

Mikasa Automotive is honoured to have earned the trust of so many customers in our local community and is committed to raising the bar consistently on our high standard of service with integrity, reliability, and excellence.