There were no special favors when Bill Friedrichs and Shawn Olson began working for their dads 15 years ago. Shawn was a ninth grader and Bill a sophomore.

“We were pumping gas and cleaning toilets,” said Shawn, now 30, and part owner of Friedrichs Oil and Tire Co. in Sauk Centre. “We started at the bottom and were expected to work our way up.”

Olson and Friedrichs purchased the Sinclair service station from their dads last year. They are still learning the ropes of being business owners rather than just employees. Slowly they are learning how to deal with the challenges that come with being business owners.  

“It’s a lot different,” said Olson. “There’s a lot more responsibility, a lot more to keep track of.”

The tables have been turned. Jim Friedrichs took over ownership in 1979. Jim was a second generation owner, taking over for his father, Peanuts, and Bob Friedrichs.  The station has been a staple on Main Street for several decades and is celebrating its 40th year with Sinclair. Olson joined him as business partner in 1981. Now 29 years later and they are no longer the boss, handing those duties over to their sons.

“It’s been nice because they are still around to help out,” said Bill, 31. “It’s a lot more hours. When the clock hits six it doesn’t mean you get to go home.”

Jim runs the bulk tank side of the business, delivering gas to farmers in the area while Lonnie ran the automotive repair side. Shawn attended college to study automotive repair and always knew he wanted to follow in dad’s footsteps. Bill wasn’t so sure. 

“When I was young I didn’t really care for it,” he said. “But once I went to college I decided I didn’t want to sit behind a desk 40 hours a week.”

To read the rest of this story, please read the Herald on-line with our new "E -Edition" by clicking here. an >