For Levi Johnson, owner of Turning Wrenches European Auto Repair, a career in the automotive industry started with a simple challenge from his dad and a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle that did not run.

Levi was just 16 when his father gave him the car and told him, "If you want to drive it, you need to fix it."That challenge sparked an interest that would eventually turn into a lifelong passion, an impressive career, and a successful Louisville-area business focused on helping people feel confident about the vehicles they drive every day. 

Levi grew up in a small Indiana town with a population of about 7,200. After graduating from high school, he headed west to Wyoming to attend WyoTech, where he earned an associate degree in automotive technology.

While at WyoTech, Levi was selected for the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Elite Technician Program. That opportunity took him to California for factory training and ultimately set the course for his career. After completing the program, he relocated to Louisville in 2001 and began working at a Mercedes-Benzdealership.

Levi went on to become a Mercedes-Benz Master Technician and spent years developing his skills at the dealership. He later transitioned into industrial generator service, which gave him another opportunity to use his technical expertise. While he enjoyed the work itself, there was one major downside. The job required him to spend too much time away from his wife and children.

That experience helped Levi realize what mattered most. He wanted to be present for his family, and he missed the personal connection that came from helping people through automotive repair.

So, he returned to the industry he loved.

Before Turning Wrenches had a shop of its own, Levi was already the person friends, family, and customers called when they needed automotive help.

For years, he performed repairs from his own garage while regularly fielding questions and offering advice. Eventually, it became clear there was enough demand to turn his skills into a business.

Levi initially tried building the company completely from scratch, but his path eventually led him to purchase an existing repair shop and transform it into the business he envisioned.

In those early days, the team consisted of Levi and just one other employee. Like many small business owners, Levi wore just about every hat imaginable. He repaired vehicles, wrote service tickets, worked with customers, and handled the day-to-day responsibilities of running the business.

As word spread and the customer base grew, so did the team. Levi brought on additional technicians and a service advisor to ensure Turning Wrenches could continue giving customers the quality and personal attention they deserved. 

Today, Turning Wrenches specializes in Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Mini, Porsche, and Audi, but Levi believes the biggest thing separating his shop from others is not simply its expertise with European vehicles.

It is how the team treats people.

Rather than simply telling customers what is wrong and handing them a repair estimate, Turning Wrenches takes the time to educate them. Every vehicle receives a comprehensive digital Safety and Reliability Inspection, complete with photos and detailed explanations. Customers can see what the technicians see and better understand what their vehicle needs and why.

That transparency is a big part of Levi's commitment to creating long-term relationships built on honesty and trust.

Turning Wrenches also backs its work with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, giving customers additional confidence in the quality of the repairs.

The goal is not to simply fix a car and send someone on their way. It is to become a trusted resource customers can rely on for years to come. 

After spending decades around vehicles, Levi has one important piece of advice for residents: do not wait until something breaks to take care of your car.

Preventative maintenance can save money, improve reliability, and, most importantly, help keep drivers and their families safe.

He also encourages people to find a repair shop they genuinely trust. A good technician should be willing to answer questions, explain recommended repairs, and help customers make informed decisions instead of leaving them confused or pressured.

After all, a vehicle is one of the biggest investments many people make. Having someone you trust to help protect that investment can make all the difference. 3

Behind all of Levi's professional accomplishments, family remains one of his greatest motivations.

After experiencing what it was like to travel for work and miss valuable time with his wife and children, he wanted to create a career that allowed him to serve his community without sacrificing being present for the people who mattered most.

Today, Levi has proudly called the Louisville area home for about 25 years. His focus is on continuing to improve Turning Wrenches, investing in training for his team, and making sure customers leave feeling valued and cared for.

His philosophy is a simple one: if something is worth doing, it is worth doing right.

That belief guides everything at Turning Wrenches, from the way vehicles are inspected and repaired to the way customers are treated.

Levi also appreciates the sense of connection within the local community. One of his favorite things about Stroll is the opportunity to learn more about local families, businesses, events, and the people who make the community special. 

From a teenager determined to get an old Volkswagen Beetle running to a Mercedes-Benz Master Technician and successful business owner, Levi's journey has always been fueled by a love of fixing things and helping people.

At Turning Wrenches European Auto Repair, that passion continues today with a mission that is refreshingly simple: provide honest, high-quality repairs while treating every customer like family.