Jason Gamache

J a s o n G a m a c h e - HOW ONE LOCAL BUSINESSMAN KEEPS A HEALTHY EYE ON COMMUNITY

By Natalie Downey

Local businesses are the heart and soul of our community. They each contribute their own flavor, color, and texture, combining as a whole to make the tapestry of our community uniquely our own. Local entrepreneurs are the hands and feet that build the local businesses that contribute to the story of our community and are a welcome and much needed aspect of local life.

One such local entrepreneur, Jason Gamache, dreams big, and instead of keeping these ideas to himself, he expands them until they become a reality he can share. With a passion for helping fellow entrepreneurs, Jason carries with him a dynamic energy and a world of possibility.

At just 17 years old, Jason began his automotive business in his parents’ backyard after facing the disappointment of not being accepted into the corporate position he had hoped for. Within the same year he signed his first lease and his business was officially up and running.

“I saved $200 and bought automotive accessories because I was really into cars,” Jason recalls fondly.

He began reinvesting into his automotive detailing business with any profit he made, and he continued to grow without needing to rely on loans and debt. Committed to quality and a genuine connection with the customer, Jason expanded his business and continued to dream bigger dreams. Today his local automotive company, called PTAP, sees business from all over the nation. His company services cars belonging to celebrities, well known athletes, and the citizens of our city. Specializing in a variety of services from custom tires and paint to everyday maintenance, PTAP is driven on integrity and quality work. “We’re not looking to be just another mechanic shop or custom shop”, Jason says, “We want to offer the best customer service we can provide and always take our customer experience to the next level.” From big name celebrities to elderly women just needing an oil change, all get the same personal and attentive treatment at PTAP.

PTAP - Perfect Touch Automotive Playground

Jason cares about his employees and strives to make his business a place where not just customers are treated right, but employees are taken care of and treated like family. “We have a small staff here, but they’re all rock stars, as so the quality we put out is on another level,” Jason says.

Jason and Alayne Gamache

The PTAP Family

Along with its quality service, something PTAP is known for is producing an ad for the Super Bowl each year, and this year did not disappoint. Filmed by, starring, and produced by Columbus locals, the commercial focuses on a group of people Gamache feels has been forgotten in the midst of the economic uncertainties our nation has recently faced: our soldiers and their families. Our community takes great pride in this commercial, its quality production, and its message. For PTAP, the commercial is about much more than advertisement, it’s a way to honor our military personnel.

During Production of LocaL Commercial

Gamache eventually also became passionate about the real estate industry. He began purchasing real estate in Uptown with a vision for helping people start their businesses like he had done himself so many years ago. “I love it because I get to work with entrepreneurs and people that have a passion and dream like I did, and help them have the potential to launch their future,” Gamache says. “I just want to see people be successful,” he says, appreciating the fact that real estate has given him the opportunity to build personal relationships with local entrepreneurs.

Along with real estate for small businesses just starting out in Uptown, Gamache co-created Pop Uptown with Jacy Jenkins, a space located at 1234 Broadway where local entrepreneurs can present their business concepts. A unique aspect of Pop Uptown is the opportunity to lease the space for a short timeframe, giving entrepreneurs a venue to get their feet in the water and test their ideas without having to invest in a long term lease. This trial and error element of entrepreneurism is an element Gamache finds to be especially important and an inevitable part of the process of creating something new. Pop Uptown provides opportunity for the evolution necessary as new business owners find their niche and perfect their product.

In addition to providing entrepreneurs a space to launch new ideas, Pop Uptown offers a uniquely customizable venue in the heart of Uptown Columbus for hosting events like wedding receptions, parties, and business gatherings. The Pop UP Video Film Festival will take place in this venue on May 30 (for now). Featuring independent films created by artists from the surrounding areas, the festival will include a special showing of Moments of Joy, a film close to the heart of Gamache and his wife Alayne. As a cancer survivor, Alayne tells her story in this film which portrays the many emotions and challenges people face in their battles against cancer.

Jason & Alayne With @Chispahouse In Front Of Pop Uptown Location Of The Pop Up Video Film Fest

While Jason Gamache continues to inspire our community as an entrepreneur, the true depth of his contributions to our community rests in his commitment to the people behind local businesses. With the uncertainty facing many small business owners at this time, Gamache hopes to encourage the community to support one another by shopping and eating local. He sees the challenges we’re facing from COVID as an opportunity to “grow in our faith and understand what really matters.”

Jason & Alayne Having Fun At Pop Uptown

As a business owner, he is approaching the current situation by stocking up on inventory to ensure that PTAP is able to continue offering reliable services to their customers. As a fellow citizen and personal friend of many local entrepreneurs, Gamache plans on making sure our small businesses are not forgotten. He points out that we can continue to take advantage of local restaurants by ordering takeout, or buying gift certificates to use in the future. By intentionally supporting our local businesses during this time, we’re not just keeping the unique qualities of our community alive, we’re helping ensure a successful future with a return to normalcy and continued growth. “Whatever we’ve got to do to help each other out, this is the time to do it,” Gamache says.

PTAP - Perfect Touch Automotive Playground - is located at 839 Veterans Pkwy | ptaponline.com | follow them on facebook & IG | Gamache Properties | Pop Uptown