Flagstaff Featured Business: Greasy D’s Rod & Kustom
(as published in the July 3 edition of The Community Press)
The Flagstaff Region Featured Business is a monthly newspaper and web feature presented in partnership by Flagstaff County and The Community Press.
Greasy D’s Rod & Kustom
5014 49 Street
Daysland, Alberta
780-678-6809
“I really enjoy taking something – a big rusted, dented heap – and turning it into something fantastic,” explains the owner of Greasy D’s Rod & Kustom in Daysland. “I always say that I’m building people’s dreams, and I truly, honestly am.”
As a prime example, Weiss tells the story of a friend who acquired a rebuilt 1931 Ford Rat Rod from him and liked it so much that he had it tattooed on the inside of his forearm.
“That’s unbelievable that a car that I built has that much meaning to a guy to emblazon it on his body,” he chuckles. “That’s pretty sweet, pretty awesome.”
Weiss also tells the story of another gentleman who had wanted a particular car ever since he bought a model of it as a teenager and painted that model bright yellow.
“He had that model for years,” Weiss says. “Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to build that car for him just the way he wanted it when he was a lad. The car has been all over North America and Western Canada, and won numerous awards, and it’s a real feather in my cap.”
Weiss followed his own automotive dreams in 2006, when he launched Greasy D’s Rod & Kustom, working as a contractor for restoration companies.
In July of 2014, he curtailed the contract work and established a location for his own auto restoration and fabrication work.
“Five years ago, I had the opportunity to rent some space here in town and try to do this for myself and for my family,” he says. “I was building cars for other people, doing all of it anyway, so I figured it was maybe time just to do it for myself. That’s how it came about.
“My wife (Wendy) is from here. My family’s here. We have a house about six miles south of here. The first time that I sat down and had lunch with my family, I realized that it was the right decision to come and do this for myself.”
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Indeed, Greasy D’s is the culmination of a lifelong dream for Weiss, who recalls building cars with Lego as a kid.
“I had uncles that were always into cars and that just trickled down on me. That’s how it started, just as a passion,” he explains. “I worked in collision shops, other shops as well, and we always had one old car project to work on, and I just honed my skills on those sideline projects. That’s pretty much what I had done at other shops, and just finessed and learned from other guys that I’ve worked with, and just went from there.”
Restoration work is the number one priority for Weiss.
“It’s my love, it’s my passion,” he notes. “It’s what’s kept the doors open, and what’s kept me going since late high school work experience.”
While Weiss has had “a couple of other guys” help out in the shop, his main employee is Rod Korney. Weiss’ wife Wendy, meanwhile, takes care of the books.
“My eldest will be 10 in October, so we found a little truck we’ll fool around with to build him something when he’s 16,” Weiss adds. “As much as I don’t want them (Weiss’ children) to be part of it just because it’s a tough industry – the chemicals and the dust, and it’s hard on your body – truth be told, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to let my legacy carry on with one of my three.”
Regardless of what transpires down the road, Weiss is grateful for having the opportunity to follow his passion for restoration work.
“I’m 100 per cent blessed to be able to do what I do every day, and have food on the table, and pay our bills, and have a guy with me,” he says.
That gratitude extends to the community at large, which Weiss points out has been extremely supportive of his venture.
“When I was in the carwash there, I was an unknown entity until this building (5014 49 St.) came up for purchase, and then more people knew about me,” he says. “I was worried that they wouldn’t want this kind of business in town because I do a little bit of sandblasting and stuff outside, and it can be dirty, and it can be noisy. But anybody locally has been 100 per cent behind it as far as the businesses goes. The Business Association, they were more than happy to have another business in town.”
Weiss, who hosts an annual car show during the Canada Day festivities in Daysland, offers the following advice to anyone looking to start their own business.
“You have to follow your dreams. It takes time to do it, but if you have that passion, and if people see you have the passion, and people feel your passion, they will come to you. Just follow your dreams.”
Be sure to find Greasy D’s Rod & Kustom on Facebook and Instagram.
As published in the July 3 edition of The Community Press – on newsstands today. Never miss an issue, become a SUBSCRIBER today!
The Flagstaff Region Featured Business is a monthly newspaper and web feature presented in partnership by Flagstaff County and The Community Press. For more information, contact Jenalee Blackhurst, Economic Development Coordinator, at 780-384-4152.
