December 21, 2012

SLV SBDC Success Story



Troy Duran likes making old stuff look good at his new business, AA Detailing & Wicked Stitches Upholstery.  He also likes to make it easy for customers by offering free estimates and locating “hard to find” upholstery matches.  Troy is working with the SLV SBDC (589-3682) to develop his business.  He is feeling the typical entrepreneur pressure of “I’m doing everything myself” from customer service, to bookwork to the detailing.  He has been open just under one year, and is expanding at his location to include a show room.  The business is located on Highway 285, across from CDOT, in the former Lucy Taco’s building.
Troy’s passion for cars and bikes goes back to when he was young and bought a ’55 Chevy at the age of 14.  He discovered he was good at restoring cars, and graduated from Wyoming Tech Institute in 1991 with a special trade in Trim and Upholstery Technology.  One technique that he has mastered is repairing and restoring convertible tops.  One job like that can consume 12-16 hours.  He has restored quite a few vehicles that have been in the Early Iron Festival as well as the local Father’s Day car show.  Troy was interviewed by David Miller during the 2012 Early Iron festival for a potential article, called “Drive What You Build.”
As you enter the showroom, you will also find bar stools, custom chairs, and restaurant booths that he has restored.  Troy is able to locate old car parts, such as a recently found ’38 Chevy pick-up grill.  He has an eye for detail and can match old material to new.
Troy is proud of his 1956 ½ ton Studebaker 4 wheel drive pick-up, that he and his family found in New Mexico in really bad shape.  He’s spent the last 3 years restoring it.  It’s his pride and joy – and he’s happy to show it off in the nice weather months outside of his business.  This past summer he was amazed by the number of people who stopped by to take pictures and tell stories as the truck conjured up memories for them.  Troy can be reached at 719-480-2931.