Meet Kevin Saleeby of The Wheel Shop in Central Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Saleeby.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Like many of our stories, mine did not begin with this end in mind. I was born and raised in NC and after high school I worked construction and warehouse jobs while skateboarding and playing in a punk rock band in the late ’80’s/early ’90’s. Once I realized that fame and fortune were lofty goals for a barely talented guitar player in a small southern punk band, I began to look for a change.

Change came fast and I moved to Southern California for a new scene and while I was still working warehouse jobs, I was also taking college classes at night. For what seemed like a million years, I worked full time jobs and went to school part time. When the time came and I had finally earned my BS Computer Science degree, I was ready for my “dotcom” job and the life outside of the warehouse and construction site. Then came the dotcom bust of 2001…I still found work as a software consultant and eventually transitioned to life in corporate America working for an insurance company.

Fast forward ~15 years and there have been 3 awesome kids, a move to Phoenix, and a not so awesome divorce thrown into the mix. To make a long story short…I was looking for a change up again and decided to focus on starting up a business that blended a passion for motorcycles in a way that matched up with my lifestyle and the surrounding community. Then while researching commercial properties in central Phoenix, I came to learn The Wheel Shop was for sale. The previous owner was retiring after 46 years and I was lucky enough to be in a position to take over this Phoenix landmark.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been interesting to say the least. I was taking over an existing business with existing employees and a declining reputation. The biggest struggle has been integrating new technology and marketing practices in an old school shop without messing up the vintage vibe. The second…repairing the reputation of the shop since the previous owner/manager had become quite surly in the previous 5 years and drove a lot of new and existing customers away.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Wheel Shop specializes in motorcycle tires and accessories. We offer full wheel service including not only tire changes but lacing and truing of stock and custom wheels, brake repair, and minor maintenance repairs/customization. Our wheel truing service and our long tenure set us apart from the many other shops in the Valley of the Sun. Motorcycle shops are far and wide to service the many riders in the Phoenix market but our focus remains on tire service…we leave the full custom builds and heavy performance/engine work to other shops we partner with.

What were you like growing up?
I grew up in North Carolina in the 70’s and 80’s. I have always been a simple easy going guy with a few close personal friends and more fringe interests. Skateboarding…punk rock…tattoos…all things quite common today were aligned more with thugs and felons to the mainstream public back then (especially in the south). My friends and I spent a lot of time being chased by the police for no other reason except for how we looked and the heavy crime of riding a skateboard.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1621 E. McDowell Rd
• Website: www.thewheelshopaz.com
• Phone: 602-253-1344
• Email: Info@thewheelshopaz.com
• Instagram: @thewheelshop_az
• Facebook: @thewheelshop

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.