Help Me Keep Heaton Automotive Open

This is really hard for me to do. My business, ERIC HEATON Automotive Inc has been voted Hillsboro, Oregon’s Best of the Best for the past three years in a row.  I have had my own automotive repair business since 1987, and now I need help to keep my door open. 

5 years ago I took out what I thought was a business loan, and now I realize that I was duped into a predatory lending trap. I’ve been able to keep up with the exorbitant payment plans, until an unreal amount of health issues and family emergencies within my family and my family business have overwhelmed me both personally and professionally.

I recently lost several key employees due to family deaths in their families in the past 3 years. Everything was back on track, and then my current shop foreman,  Brian, lost both his wife and sister-in-law within a 2 week time period. 

Most recently, I've been focusing my attention on taking care of my immediate family. My wife has recently been hospitalized with diabetes, and is in the recovery process.

On top of all this I have been a victim of credit card fraud and was charged back a large amount of money of undisputable charges. 

With a slow down in business and taxes and fixed expenses along with the burden of the minimum daily payments to my predatory lender, I find myself with nowhere else to turn. 


I am most concerned with making sure that I can keep paying my staff, while continuing to pay back my lenders. I am embarrassed that I have several customers and friends that have helped me financially that are going to be affected by this matter and I really don’t want to let anyone down. No amount is too small, and I really appreciate any support you can give.