Monday, December 8, 2003 7:05AM EST

Unemployed man becomes business owner



Staff Photo by Mel Nathanson


By JONATHAN B. COX, Staff Writer

After losing his job, Jerry D. Gala switched from steam to gas to power his career.

Gala, 34, was laid off from Steam Saver Systems of Maryland two years ago when the company's largest customer, Enron, crumbled. Based in Apex, he had traveled around the nation for the company, helping clients that use steam harness it more efficiently.
"The job was wonderful. It was a lot of fun," Gala said. "But I guess it wasn't meant to be."

So he turned to an old interest: fixing cars. Gala got back to work by starting an auto repair shop.

The journey wasn't simple. After losing his job, Gala said, he had little idea of what to do.

He had been pursuing an associate's degree in automation and robotics technology from Wake Technical Community College. He finished the remaining classes.

He also began night courses through Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration. All the while, Gala was calling acquaintances and sending resumes in search of a job.

"You send resumes out and go out and visit people," he said. "Some days, it just didn't feel the response was there to justify all the work."

Gala and a friend had talked 10 or 15 years ago about starting a car repair business. But the time was never right.

Now it was.

He and his partner put their houses, cars and bank accounts on the line as collateral for loans.

"Everything either one of us had ever worked for, we had to sign away," he said. It was hard to decide which was scarier: being jobless or starting a new business.

On Feb. 3, 2003, Apex AutoWorks opened its doors. Creating a business from the ground up has been a struggle. No matter the planning, a business owner can't anticipate every issue, Gala said. But the shop is doing well.

And Gala, a father for seven months who once traveled four nights a week, is happy.

"Even though I don't get home until late every night, I still get home every night," he said. "It's like a whole new life. I love it."

(With the economy recovering, some companies are hiring again. If you were out of work but recently found a job, send us a note (include your name and daytime phone number). We'll run a few employment success stories through the holidays. Contact Work & Money editor Alan Wolf, at 829-4572 or awolf@newsobserver.com.)

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