Why We Exist
"Cars are our language, but people are our focus."
As the founder of Unicorn Automotive, I have spent over 22 years in the automotive industry. I've learned this business from the ground up, starting as a General Motors apprentice turning wrenches, and eventually running a multi-location fixed operations department. I know how dealerships and independent shops operate inside and out. But more importantly, I know how they can make people feel.
I built Unicorn Automotive for three very specific reasons:
First, building inclusion in a traditional industry. The automotive repair world can be an incredibly intimidating and traditional place. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how rigid and exclusionary this industry can be. My Head Technician—an exceptional Red Seal certified mechanic—and I share a core belief: a truly supportive business helps everyone. People deserve an honest, helpful environment regardless of who they are, what they look like, or what they believe.
If seasoned professionals can see the deep flaws in this trade's culture, we know how terrifying a repair shop must be for someone who doesn't know the difference between a brake pad and a ball joint. I wanted to build a shop that is a true rarity in this industry—a unicorn. Whether you are a woman, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, someone who feels out of place in traditional shops, or just someone looking for straightforward service, this space was built for you. And that inclusion extends to our garage bays, creating a welcoming home for apprentices and technicians who just want to work in a genuinely safe environment.
Second, changing how the industry handles vulnerability. During my years working the service counter at major dealerships, I watched time and time again as people broke down in tears because they couldn't figure out how to pay an unexpected repair bill. All I wanted was to be able to reach into a fund and tell them, "Don't worry about how you're getting your kids to school tomorrow. This is taken care of." Unicorn Automotive exists so we can finally do exactly that. We focus heavily on community emergency repairs, ensuring that safe, reliable transportation isn't a privilege reserved only for those with deep pockets.
Third, absolute, 100% honesty. I was entirely done with the industry's white lies. I was exhausted by the excuses we were forced to give and the lack of 100% honesty. I was tired of watching people get ripped off by massive markups just so a bloated dealership could pay for unnecessary infrastructure and funnel profits up to wealthy executives at the top. You deserve absolute transparency about your vehicle, plain and simple.
When you bring your vehicle here, you get mechanics who will listen to you, respect you, and give you the honest truth about your car—without the corporate red tape or the dealership up-sells.
Our doors are open to you. Come exactly as you are.
Founder
Unicorn Automotive
40+ Combined Years of Industry Experience
We bring deep, certified master-level technical expertise directly to your driveway, delivering dealership-level diagnostics and repairs without high-pressure tactics or middleman markups.
- Founder & Business Manager: 22-year trade veteran spanning GM apprenticeship, shop management, parts management, service advising, and leading a multi-location fixed operations department.
- Lead Technician: 19-year automotive veteran with 7 years as a Red Seal Certified Technician at Toyota, holding official Hybrid, EV, and Toyota Master Technician certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go to the dealership to keep my new car warranty?
No. Under Canadian consumer protection laws, manufacturers cannot void your factory warranty simply because you used an independent shop. As long as the service uses fluids and parts that meet or exceed OEM specifications, your warranty is protected. All of our invoices are strictly compliant with the warranty reporting requirements of manufacturer warranties within Canada, fully documenting your VIN, mileage, and specific part numbers used.
Do I have to do everything recommended at a certain mileage?
It is crucial to understand the difference between manufacturer recommendations and dealership recommendations. To maintain your full factory warranty, you really should follow the exact maintenance schedule outlined in your owner's manual by the manufacturer. Skipping a factory-required service (like a fluid flush) can cause warranty problems for that specific system down the road.
However, many dealership service departments add their own "recommended" up-sells that are not actually required by the factory. We will tell you exactly what the manufacturer mandates to keep your warranty intact, and you make the final decision on what you want authorized.
How does your service model work compared to a traditional repair shop?
We start at your driveway to save you time and tow bills. Our mobile diagnostic service vehicle comes directly to your house to perform advanced diagnostics and complete any feasible on-site repairs.
If a job requires a hoist or heavy shop equipment, we coordinate and sublet the vehicle to our trusted partner facility. When this happens, you still only deal with Unicorn Automotive. We handle all the logistics and the billing. We do not use this as a profit center—we apply a minimal markup to the sublet labor strictly to cover the hard costs of transporting the vehicle and processing the transaction. You get the convenience of mobile service with the capabilities of a full shop, without a middleman mark-up.
What happens to the profits from Unicorn Automotive?
We operate with a community-first mandate. After covering standard business operating expenses and team wages, 100% of our remaining business profits are directed into a dedicated fund to provide emergency vehicle repairs for vulnerable individuals. When we utilize this fund for community repairs, the money covers only the direct cost of the parts and the exact base hourly wage of the technician doing the work.
Additionally, 100% of any public donations we receive—whether through the donation link on our site or collected at local events—goes directly into this exact same fund. For more information on this initiative, visit unicornauto.org/outreach.
Does independent maintenance show up on my vehicle history report?
Yes. Every repair and maintenance service we perform is automatically reported directly to CARFAX Canada. This guarantees your vehicle maintains a time-stamped, third-party verified digital service history, which is crucial for maximizing resale value.
What happens if a recall is discovered during a diagnostic scan?
If a full system scan reveals an open recall or a warranty-covered Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), we document the code and can direct you straight to the dealership so you don't pay out of pocket for a repair the manufacturer is legally obligated to fix for free. Alternatively, if you want to skip the headache entirely, we can handle the logistics of dealing with the dealership service department and transporting your vehicle for a small charge to cover our time and costs.
Have Questions or Need Assistance?
Get in touch with our team for mobile service inquiries, vehicle appraisals, or community outreach questions.
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