As a newspaper, we have an opportunity to bring people together for a common good. To inspire and foster positive news presented by our readers that lifts people up in the communities we serve.
Starting in 2020, the staff at the Fillmore County Journal coordinated the first-ever recognition for the Business Person of the Year.
The newspaper publishes a form to fill out and submit in person, by mail, along with providing an online option for readers to nominate a business person in the newspaper coverage area to be recognized for this distinguished honor.
The 2020 Business Person of the Year was Todd Jones, owner of Ace Hardware in Spring Valley, Minn. For the 2021 Business Persons of the Year, Alex and Jenn Slifka, located in Spring Valley, Minn., were recognized for their revitalization efforts in the downtown area, with their continuous business expansion involving Chateau de Chic Salon & Spa, Chic by Chateau, Some Like It Hot, and Stellar 181 Taphouse. In 2022, we presented this award to Jerry and Nancy Kraus, owners of Kraus Oil in Spring Grove and Kraus Oil and Country Store in Caledonia. For 2023, it was Suzanne Gardner, owner of Some Like It Hot in Spring Valley, Minn. In 2024, Amanda and Jeremiah Ninneman, owners of The Wired Rooster in Caledonia, Minn.
Drumroll please…
The 2025 Business Person of the Year is Mike Steien, who owns the NAPA stores in Chatfield and Preston along with his wife Sylvia.
The history of the two NAPA stores began decades ago. Mike grew up in Rochester, graduating from Mayo High School in 1988. His father, John, owned an Amoco station located by Barlows Foods and a Goodyear store on 37th Street NW in Rochester. For Mike, with his father as a mechanic, he was destined to grow up in the auto industry.
After selling his stores in Rochester, Mike’s father was considering the next chapter in his retirement years. He saw a classified ad in the Rochester Post-Bulletin for a NAPA store for sale in Preston, Minn. John purchased the store in 1993.
In 1995, John was considering purchasing another store in the Eagan area until he saw an ad in the local newspaper for the NAPA store in Chatfield. As a matter of logistics and management, it made more sense to own and operate two stores only 15 miles apart, so he acquired the second location in the Chosen Valley.
And, that’s when Mike began to plant his roots in Gopher country. He moved to Chatfield, joining his father’s operations. While working at the NAPA store in Chatfield, in 1995, he met Sylvia – a customer at the time. They started dating and four years later they were married in 1999, the same year Mike and Sylvia acquired the Chatfield NAPA store from his father.
In 2001, along came their first son, Joey. That same year, Mike and Sylvia acquired the Preston NAPA store from his father, so John could fully retire.
Their second son, Nick, came along in 2003. Mike and Sylvia were busy with two young boys and two bustling auto parts stores.
What It Takes
Mike learned a long time ago that running any business well always revolves around taking care of the customer.
“We try to help people not have to drive to Rochester,” shared Mike.
Mike and Sylvia, along with their nine employees working at both stores pay attention to what customers are looking for. If people keep asking for something they don’t carry, they’ll stock it.
As their market needs have evolved, Mike and Sylvia have looked at ways they can serve their customers better.
In 2011, they transitioned their NAPA stores from strictly auto parts to add hardware as Hardware Hank authorized dealers at both locations. Sylvia took on this initiative, running the hardware side of the business.
For their Preston location, it was off the beaten path down by the Root River. It was beautiful scenery, but not highly visible for the general population that had never been to their store before. In 2013, they moved their storefront out to Highway 52 across from B & B Bowl and Restaurant.
With all of these changes over the years, they’ve always kept the needs of their customers in mind. As Mike said, “We like to get the sale, but we really like to see the smile on someone’s face when we help someone solve a problem.”
For Mike and Sylvia, their stores sell more farm-related supplies, filters and batteries than in the big city markets. With an average of more than 300 customers walking in the door between both locations each day, they have to keep their shelves freshly stocked.
There are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes to make for smooth operations.
Each day, they have their own driver heading to Owatonna to pick up orders from the NAPA warehouse. They also have an inventory database with access to multiple stores, so if they don’t have something in stock they can usually find it at another location.
His team also delivers parts to auto repair shops in the area, including Chatfield, Harmony, Preston and Wykoff.
Mike explained how the majority of NAPA stores are corporate owned with only a few in Southeast Minnesota that are independently owned and operated. The Steiens own the two in Chatfield and Preston. Locations in Plainview and St. Charles are also independently owned by other families.
What Customers Say
Mike has been described as a “visionary and an exceptional leader” by his customers. He “always goes above and beyond.”
The customer who nominated Mike for this recognition continued, “As a woman, he makes me feel comfortable and supported when asking purchasing questions. He is genuinely helpful.”
When asked what she thinks motivates Mike, the nominator offered, “personal satisfaction in being helpful and smart business practices,” concluding with what she feels is critical to his success, “Good service builds loyalty and reputation.”
Mike and Sylvia Steien have built a reputation for their business. They have a loyal customer base that appreciates getting what they need and saving a trip to Rochester. Saving time. Having the convenience of accessibility. That’s important to people in the area. And, that’s why so many customers make daily or weekly visits to either of their locations.
Yeah, they sell all sorts of parts for what you need. But, their customer service is the most important part of what they have to offer.
To see other nominees and what nominators had to say about them, look to the right. To be nominated is an honor in itself.
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