Born into a family of restaurateurs (his dad owned Gino’s in San Francisco), Blake Andros seemed, in many ways, destined to carry on that tradition. And he did—eventually. But first there was a slight detour.
“Growing up, my passion was owning and using tools,” he remembers. “By 1972, I was charging a whopping $5 an hour to be a handyman.”
That same year, Andros had a less-than-satisfactory service experience that changed his life. “When I was 16 years old, I brought my motorcycle to a collision repair facility…and received it back six weeks later! It was then I decided to learn how to paint and repair vehicles. I read a book and soon started charging $5 an hour to repair dents and paint cars and motorcycles. I also started doing custom striping and flames. So Blake’s Auto Body ‘unofficially’ started in the summer of 1972 in my parents’ driveway in Corte Madera.”
By age 19, Blake had “officially” opened for business. Today, there are four Blake’s Auto Body locations in Marin and Sonoma. (And yes, it’s a little more than $5 per hour these days.) And after all this time, he’s finally found his way back to his first calling. “A few years ago, I committed to my management team that I would either open or purchase one more body shop. But after six months of no luck, I found Izzy’s Restaurant [in Corte Madera] for sale. I had to break the news to everyone that the new body shop was a restaurant!”
Do you have a pet?
For the last 40 years, I’ve almost always had a purebred Hungarian Vizsila. They’re great dogs that were bred to guard royalty, so they’re energetic and loyal. They’re also quite good with babies and children.
How are you like your mom? Your dad?
I love to cook like Mom, and I inherited Dad’s work ethic.
How many bones have you broken?
When I was 2 years old, the town of Corte Madera was planting trees and left a hole in our front yard. I fell into it and broke my leg. And once I fell off a horse and broke my arm.
Do you play a sport?
I love to golf, water and snow ski, and go dirt biking.
If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be and what would you want to talk about?
The President of the United States. I’d ask him why business owners like myself have to keep our business running at a profit, but he can run his business in the red. No one’s funding my game but me.
If you had three wishes, what would they be?
1. For our government to be out of debt and run its business at a profit.
2. To be skiing in four feet of fresh powder in Utah.
3. For someone to give me a golf membership to the Madison Club in Palm Springs.
List three words to describe yourself in high school.
Greaser, golfer and certainly not the most likely to succeed.
What television show from the past would you like to see back on the air?
“Laugh-In.”
What was the biggest mistake you made starting out in business?
Borrowing money at 22.5 percent interest in 1980.
What big challenge have you taken on recently?
The “College of Hard Knocks” was my destiny. After 30 years of body shop ownership, I had to start all over again when I purchased Izzy’s. But I’m certain this will be my last apprenticeship.
What do you think happens after you die?
You get lots of sleep.
What have you done in your life that required the most courage?
Jumping off an 80-foot-high rock into the Yuba River.
What lesson has failure taught you?
Preparation is the most important part of success.
What’s one guilty pleasure you enjoy too much to give up?
Ice cream.
What’s your favorite fast food restaurant?
In-N-Out Burger, but I only go about twice a year.
What personal trait was most responsible for getting you where you are?
I always do what I say I’m going to do.
What was your first car?
It was a 1964 Chevy Malibu two-door hardtop.
What’s your favorite song to sing?
“Mack the Knife.”
