When Tyler Stager and his friend David Symonds found themselves working reduced hours at their jobs as automotive technicians, they started chasing their long-held dream of starting their own auto shop.

“It gave us time to think,” said Stager, 27.

At the time, Stager and Symonds were working at two different New Hampshire auto shops. Both had had hours reduced, and Stager was ultimately laid off. But despite that, the duo became convinced that the pandemic could be a good time to start a business.