The Schumans: A Family That Cares

When Ken and Marilyn Schuman moved from Ohio to Cape Coral in the early 1970s, they did much more than start a car repair shop. They laid the foundation for a lasting legacy that continues to ripple goodness throughout the Cape and beyond. Their 53 years in business is a testament to what hard work and truly caring for your customers can do. Their volunteer activities are a testament to what giving back can do. The accomplishments of their five children – who have bios that read like a who’s who in Florida – are a testament to what leading by example can do. Their 60-year marriage is a testament to what the power of love can do. And Ken’s Auto Repair shop is at the heart of it all, with loyal customers whose children – and now their children – come for the expert services and exceptional attention. Sure, they may lose a customer from time to time. But not from being dissatisfied. “There’s usually a funeral involved,” Ken said. The shop opened in 1973, when Del Prado was a two-lane asphalt road largely surrounded by vacant land. Ken grew up immersed in cars back in Ohio, with his grandfather owning a six-story garage and his dad owning three gas stations that offered car repairs. Opening a family shop would be a natural fit – and ensure a livable income. “Back then everybody made about $1 an hour,” Ken said. Even in the 1970s, that would be a tough stretch for a growing family. He had left his job as a Sears manager back with the snow in Cleveland.

Starting the family business in the Cape not only assured a solid income while providing a much-needed service, but it also served as a training ground for the Schumans’ five children: Ken Jr, Brian, Kim, Karen and Donna.

“Work ethic is the most important thing you can teach your kids,” Ken said, and his children received hands-on lessons they pass along to their own children today. While Ken was interacting with customers and managing repairs, Marilyn was behind the scenes helping with bookkeeping, office duties and, Donna said, “making sure the five of us were always where we needed to be. “They made a fantastic team,” she said about the couple who just celebrated 60 years of marriage. “I married the right woman,” Ken confirmed. The two first met when he was a drummer in a rock and roll band he and a few of his pals from their all-boys Catholic high school had put together. The boys played at places around town – including the Cleveland Clinic before it became the massive global healthcare system it is today.

They were playing at a dance when he first met 15-year-old Marilyn. They met again when the band was playing at a wedding where Marilyn and some of her family members were in attendance. He recalls meeting her mother, “a little old Italian lady” who had a firm rule when it came to her daughter’s dating: “You’re not allowed to go out on a date until you’re 16.” That nearly put the kibosh on the couple’s first date when Ken had called to ask her out – until Marilyn’s brother Leonard chimed in. A full colonel in the U.S. Air Force, Leonard immediately vouched for Ken. “I know his father, went to school with his sister,” Ken recounts Leonard saying. “Mom, you don’t have to worry about the Schuman boy.” “That was the beginning,” Ken said. Ken and Marilyn had grown up in neighboring Ohio townships and even bought a house together before they were married – thanks to a house-for-sale tip Marilyn’s mother heard while at her job at the A&P. Ken, Marilyn and her mother were about to start eating one of her mom’s homecooked meals when mom shared the tip. Ken immediately asked if they could put a hold on dinner while he zoomed over to take a look at the house. It was going for $10K and in an ideal location. “I don’t care what it looks like,” Ken had thought. “I’m going to buy it.” So, he did.

The couple moved into the little house together after they were wed, transforming it into a bigger house over the seven or so years they lived there. “I chopped it up,” Ken explained, transforming the abode into a five-bedroom, three-bath haven for a growing family. “I started in construction long time ago and can fix almost anything,” Ken said. “My wife calls me the engineer.” Those skills served them all well over the years, coming with the Schumans to Florida in 1972. Ken had been enamored by the balmy weather when the U.S. Navy stationed him in Key West.

Marilyn’s parents had moved to Southwest Florida, and the couple had visited them – and fell in love all over again. This time with the entire Cape Coral scene. “My mother-in-law was a great salesman,” Ken said, adding he and Marilyn were sold. Ken and Marilyn’s first house was a three-bedroom, two-bath on the water that sold for $22.9K. “I thought I died and went to heaven,” Ken said. He also put his priorities as a new Floridian quickly in order. “Before we even went to Publix [to stock the house with groceries], we bought a boat,” he joked. The house on the canal served them all well for several years. Ken lectured for the Power Squadron, started the auto-electric business that eventually transformed into the auto repair shop, and opened an insurance agency.  He also obtained – and still holds – a real estate license even though he doesn’t work in real estate. “Everybody who lived in the Cape had to have a real estate license,” he laughed. Ken and Marilyn began coaching Little League, taking their team to championships and helping to build Cape Coral’s oldest baseball field. They helped in the renaming of the area to Jason Verdow Memorial Park in honor of a 9-year-old player who was murdered in 1976.

The couple likewise got involved with the Cape Coral High School Band Boosters, St. Andrew Catholic School, Caloosa Elementary School, and many other organizations. But Ken said there was one more thing he wanted to do: build his wife her dream house. After they had been married about 25 years, they purchased five acres in “The Northwoods” of Cape Coral – and Ken told Marilyn to describe the house she always wanted. As is the Schuman way, everybody in the family pitched in to help out. The end result was a two-story, five-bedroom, five-bathroom dream home that the couple now share with their boxer Mattie. “She’s beyond high-energy,” Ken said of Mattie. “She’s got my wife and I well-trained.” Over their 38 years in the home, they have shared space with two other boxers, two rottweilers, “a little mutt,” rabbits, gerbils, snakes, Ken’s street rod collection – and, of course, their five now-grown children.

Their children’s families have also grown, with six grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren now part of the Schuman legacy. “Growing up in a small family business in an up-and-coming city helped teach me the power of community,” said daughter Donna (now Germain). She serves as president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral while volunteering for organizations such as the Guardian Angels of Special Populations and the Cape Coral Museum of History. “My dad is a very hands-on owner and still is to this day. He loves the customers and serves all of them with honesty and integrity.” Integrity is the word both daughter Karen and son Ken Jr. immediately used when asked about their biggest lessons learned from watching their parents run a successful business while giving back to the community.

“Your business/career, and ultimately your success, is built on reputation and integrity,” Ken Jr. said. “Doing what you say you are going to do, and honoring your commitments is imperative. The way you treat your customers matters.” His proudest moments were working side-by-side with dad in the auto shop, helping to build the longstanding family business. He worked in the business as a kid and held the role of service manager in the early 1990s. “When you do what you love, it doesn’t ever feel like a job,” Ken Jr. said. Cars were his father’s passion. His is IT. “I have had a successful career in information technology and consulting for the past 30 years after my time working with my father. I learned the work ethic and mantra of following your passion from watching and working with my dad.” Daughter Karen, (now Schuman Zeis), is a financial advisor who doubles as an avid volunteer. She and her husband encourage their three boys to give back to the community as well, setting the stage for the next generation of generosity. “Anything is possible if you are willing to work for it,” Karen said, “but remember that your name and your reputation will also follow you so take care with both.

Success means nothing if it is achieved without integrity.” The entire family helped out with last year’s Holiday Festival of Lights for the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. Karen has put in many hours with the chamber over the years, serving as co-chair of Leadership Cape Coral in 2014 and 2015. This 13-week program gives attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the infrastructure that powers the city. She’s also donated time and energy to the American Cancer Society and volunteered as guardian ad litem for the 20th Judicial Circuit. The guardian ad litem volunteer is in charge of investigating and representing minors in court cases. “This was truly the hardest, yet most rewarding volunteer experience of my entire life,” Karen said. 

Her volunteer efforts over the past seven years have focused mainly on Cape Coral’s St. Andrew Catholic School, where she is president of the Home and School Association. She absolutely adores helping each grade create personal keepsakes for their teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. “It takes a lot of time and tons of work but it’s so worth it,” she noted. “The kids work so hard and the teachers are always so appreciative. It truly is the best! “I personally give back, any chance that I get,” Karen said, “because I feel as though God has blessed me with such an incredible life and an amazing family. It is my way of thanking Him for the many blessings He has bestowed on our entire family. It also gives me tremendous personal joy to help others.” Her brother Brian, assistant vice president of Capital Markets at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, also derives joy from helping others. His favorite give-back activity is mentoring new hires in his department. “It is satisfying to see them grow in confidence and progress in their careers as a result of sharing my knowledge and experiences with them,” he said. The biggest lesson he learned from his family? “True success is not measured by how much money you make, but by the positive impact you have on those around you.” As the owner of Just Dessert Me Cakes, Confections & Cookies, his sister Kimberly has decidedly made a delicious impact on the community as well. She has also worked with Ken’s insurance agency since 1998 while volunteering for Saint Andrew Catholic School, a local animal rescue and the Girl Scouts. Now 82, Ken continues going strong with Marilyn by his side. And the family continues to play a role in the shaping of Cape Coral – a particularly important role during the current spate of enormous growth. Ken’s greatest hope for the city going forward is strong and experienced leadership.

“I suggest we take more time electing or hiring people who have experience with running a city, helping a city grow and not grow too fast,” he said. Keeping up with water availability, the quality of the roads, and the type of buildings being erected is also important. He likewise shared a few tidbits of wisdom for up-and-coming generations. “Get an education. Learn how to talk to people but learn how to listen better than you talk. Always give people an opportunity to say what’s on their mind without reacting.” Evidence that his tidbits work can be seen in the longstanding success of the family business, the family dynamic, and the fact that the family continues to help shape the Cape into the warm and supportive community that cares.

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