Mon-Fri: 8:00AM-5:00PM
The Unseen Weight of Running a Family Auto Shop
A behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to run Sager & Sons Auto in Boise, Idaho
If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the garage doors of a family-owned auto repair shop, you're in the right place. In the very first episode of the Sager & Sons podcast, Dan and Katie Sager pull back the curtain on what it's really like to build a business from the ground up, together, as a family, right here in Boise, Idaho.
Spoiler: it's not just wrenches and oil changes. It's sacrifice, love, subscriptions, stress, laughter, and a whole lot of cereal. (Apparently cereal isn't cheap anymore.)
Meet Dan and Katie, The Husband-and-Wife Team Behind the Shop
Dan Sager is the heart of Sager & Sons Auto. He grew up in a tow truck, spent over 30 years in the automotive industry, and started the shop because of a simple, genuine love for fixing cars. Katie? She's the self-described "fun one" and the operations powerhouse who keeps everything running smoothly.
Together, they've built something rare: a true family business where their kids are literally in the shop. Two of their sons, Alec and Gage, are full-time ASE-Certified Technicians. Their youngest, Elliott, is 14 and already sweeping the shop floor. That's five kids, eight grandkids, and a whole lot of family under one roof (and one lift).
What People Get Wrong About Auto Repair Shops
Here's a question Dan loves to unpack: What do you think customers assume about running a shop like this?
The honest answer? Most people think it goes like this:
- Car rolls in
- Mechanic pops the hood
- Problem spotted
- Bill handed over
But the reality is far more complex, especially in today's world of high-tech vehicles. Modern cars are computers on wheels, and staying equipped to properly diagnose and repair them requires serious, ongoing investment.
Dan broke it down plainly in the podcast:
- Ford and GM factory-level diagnostic software: yearly subscription
- Zeus and Topdon scan tools: yearly subscriptions
- Ongoing software updates for every scanner
- Specialized tools just to perform a brake job (yes, really, modern brakes require a scan tool to enter "brake access mode" before you can even swap the pads)
All said and done? Dan estimates roughly $6,000–$8,000 per year just in software subscriptions, before a single tool is touched. That's the unseen overhead customers never see when they're surprised by a repair bill.
It's why transparent communication is such a cornerstone of how Sager & Sons operates. When you know why something costs what it costs, that trust gap disappears.
The Weight of Working With Family
Running a business is hard. Running one with your spouse and kids? That's a whole different level.
Dan and Katie were candid about this. Two of their kids no longer work at the shop, and one relationship is still being rebuilt. It's not a failure story; it's a human one. Dan put it plainly: he'd rather be his kid's friend than lose the relationship over a work disagreement.
And yet, despite the complexity, the family dynamic is also what makes this shop different. When Katie finally stepped into the business, it wasn't just to help, it was to help Dan build something worth passing down. A legacy. A shop that could one day fund retirements for both generations.
Would You Rather Have a 25-Year-Old With 15 Years of Experience?
One of the most interesting moments in the episode was the discussion about Gage, their 17-year-old son who's now working the front counter. Some customers see "a kid" and wonder whether he knows enough to help them. Dan has a direct response to that: Gage has been wrenching since he was 12. By 17, he had already completed multiple LS engine swaps, built a turbocharged drag racing truck from scratch, and earned his ASE certification.
As Dan put it, would you rather have a 25-year-old fresh out of school with only book knowledge, or a 25-year-old with 15 years of hands-on experience? Age isn't the metric. Experience is.
What Sets Sager & Sons Apart: Owning Mistakes and Making It Right
Near the end of the episode, both Dan and Katie circled back to something important: accountability.
No shop is perfect. But what separates a great shop from a forgettable one is what happens when something goes wrong. At Sager & Sons, the answer is simple: they own it, and they fix it.
"We always try to make it better. If we make a mistake, we make up for it." ~ Dan Sager
That's not just a nice sentiment. It's the foundation that's earned them hundreds of 5-star reviews from real Treasure Valley drivers.
Why They Started the Podcast
Dan and Katie launched this podcast for one reason: to let you get to know them, not just as mechanics, but as people. A family that gets up every day to keep Boise's cars running, keep their kids employed, and keep the lights on. A family that, like you, is just figuring it out day by day.
"We're not getting out alive. So let's do our best." ~ Dan Sager
That's the spirit of this shop. That's the spirit of this podcast.
Ready to Experience Auto Repair the Right Way?
If you're a Boise-area driver looking for honest, transparent auto repair in Boise, ID, from a team that actually communicates with you, Sager & Sons is here for you. We're located at 6126 W. Franklin St. on the Boise Bench, and we've been serving the Treasure Valley since 2012.
Here's how it works:
- 📅 Schedule your 8am drop-off online, no back and forth
- 🔍 We diagnose and send you photos, videos, and transparent pricing to your phone
- ✅ You approve, we fix it right, and your car comes back safe and reliable
We offer a nationwide 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty, complimentary vehicle health inspections, and ASE-certified techs on every job.
👉 Book Your Appointment at Sager & Sons Auto📞 Call us: 208-761-9406 | 🚨 Emergency Tow: 208-213-7447
📍 6126 W. Franklin St., Boise, ID | Mon–Fri, 8:00AM–5:00PM
COMPANY
SERVICES
MAINTENANCE
CUSTOMER CARE
Proud Member of
© Copyright 2026. Sager & Sons Auto LLC All Rights Reserved.