Laura Simon and Kevin S. Held
8 hours ago
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Ted Atwell may not be able to physically see the machines he works on, but he has a deep connection to them. Through touch and sound, he manipulates his technique with precision and skill.
“Believe it or not, for someone like me who's been doing it all my life, it's normal,” Atwell says, reflecting on his unique approach to his work.
Atwell is the middle child of five children. He and his twin sisters were born blind. Growing up, he faced adversity with resilience, which he attributes to his upbringing. They grew up playing outside and learned how to ride bicycles and skateboards.
“I remember my mother dressing us in certain dresses when we were little,” he says. “Well, I wanted to wear a leather coat. I wanted to wear boots. And my father said, 'Hey, do you want those?' You need to learn how to make money. ”
And that's what Atwell did. Ted learned the ins and outs of lawn mower repair from a young age, honing his skills and carving out a niche for himself. Although he did not like learning in the classroom, his passion for working with his hands propelled him forward in his life. He owned and operated a restaurant in 2005 and later also operated a bait shop.
However, in 2019, Atwell suffered a stroke that limited the mobility of his right arm and right leg, forcing him to use a wheelchair. But he still runs a business called Ted Atwell Small Engine Repair.
“I have people who help me,” he says. “And, you know, I'm very grateful for that, because without these guys I wouldn't be doing lawn mowers.”
His dedication to his craft, combined with his attitude of treating everyone with kindness and respect, has earned him a loyal clientele.
“I could sit back and collect failures. But you know, I'm a provider. Without that, I wouldn't have had anything,” Atwell says.
Aside from his successful business, Atwell is very devoted to his family. With a devoted girlfriend of 23 years and his four children, he feels happy both personally and professionally.
“Business is always good because I always treat everyone well,” he says. “I enjoy life. I enjoy people.”
