A family business starts with family and from there extends its outreach.  Eventually the whole business feels like family.  Today Mechanical Extremes numbers 13.

At the core of Mechanical Extremes are Harold and Stacey Wilkes.  What is their history?  Both are from a small town. Their high school graduating class consisted of only 54 students.

Was their life a little like what we hear in the song Jack and Diane?  As far as we know, John Cougar Mellencamp did not look up Harold and Stacey in the Addison High School yearbook to inspire his lyrics.  But, by random chance there are similarities and differences from the song.  Harold and Stacey were high school sweethearts. Just like the song they grew up in the heartland and spent time at the Tastee Freeze (Freddie’s Freeze here).  In their own way they “held onto 16 as long as they could,” but with a twist. Instead of “life going on after the thrill of living is gone,” they feel inspired by each new day.

Part of that thrill is seeing their two daughters, Haley and Hope, growing up.  Another thrill?  Their thriving business has helped countless customers.  And close to their hearts are their employees.  Both the team and many of their clients have really become family.

Harold and Stacey are grateful for the many ways this sense of family has evolved.  They truly have grown up as “two American kids doing the best they can.”

Below, Stacey Wilkes in her present day role as Office Manager.