Auto upholsterer Lisa Driver switches to making face shields for essential workers
Small-business owners have always been the central pillars holding up every community in the nation, and Lisa Driver is a shining example of why.
Lions Automotive Upholstery in Omaha is a family-owned business founded in 1983. The owners pride themselves on their expert customer service in automotive upholstery, from classic cars to commercial fleet vehicles. However, the recent coronavirus outbreak has made them adapt a little.
When the Covid-19 outbreak began, owner Lisa Driver looked around the shop and saw supplies that she could use to assemble face shields for essential workers and medical professionals on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis. Working with her friends in the medical community and getting the approval of the University of Nebraska Medical Center after sending in a prototype, she has donated more than 775 face shields around the Midwest.
Her business partner continues to handle the car side of the business, which allows Driver to personally put her time into the face shield assembly process.
Friends, relatives, and even suppliers have donated time, money, and supplies to assist Driver in making additional shields. When asked if she sees this as a permanent move for the business, she responded in the negative. “This may be needed for longer than we hoped, but it is not the future of the business. This is just a small business joining a grassroots movement to answer the call of the nation.”
She is hoping other businesses, elected officials, and customers can help spread the word. She even did an interview with Sweet 98.5 KQKQ to share information on how people can contact her for a shield. If she can’t handle all of the orders, she will gladly connect them with others she has been in communication with around the nation.
People can contact her at the office by emailing [email protected] or through Facebook: @LionsAutoUpholstery.
“Lisa Driver exemplifies one of the most important qualities small-business owners have: The willingness to drop what they’re doing, roll up their sleeves, and get to work on a cause that needs solving now,” said Bob Hallstrom, NFIB Nebraska state director. “It’s an honor to have her as an NFIB member.”
