Servers, Service Bays, and Shared Values: How Clinton and Stephanie Townsend Built Business Success in Kentville

On a busy stretch of road in Kentville, where thousands of cars pass by each day, a familiar letterboard sign often makes people smile before they even realize it. Clever, ever-changing, and sometimes just a little cheeky, the sign outside Butt’s Auto Service has become something of a local landmark.

But behind the humour—and just next door (literally) —there’s a much bigger story unfolding.

It’s a story about two businesses, one rooted in automotive repair and the other in modern technology. It’s also a story about partnership—both in business and in life—for Clinton and Stephanie Townsend, who together have grown Butt’s Auto Service and Triple E Technology into two thriving, people-focused enterprises in the Annapolis Valley.

And like so many other small business stories, it didn’t start the way you might expect.

From a Laptop and a Laundry Room

Triple E Technology began in 2016, not in a polished suite or a tech hub, but in a home; more specifically, a laundry room-turned-home-office.

“It was just me and my laptop,” Clinton recalls with a chuckle.

At the time, Clinton had just left his position with a local IT firm to work for an auto sales company owned by Stephanie’s parents. When word spread that he was getting out of IT, something unexpected happened.

“People were coming out of the woodwork saying, ‘You can’t get out of IT—we need you to service our stuff,’” he says. “So in between selling and detailing cars, I was going out to visit customers when they needed help.”

That organic demand quickly turned into a business.

Within months, Triple E had its first employee. Within a year, it had outgrown its first small office. And soon after, Clinton and Stephanie made a bold decision—to try and purchase a building on Main Street in Kentville.

“At the time we thought, ‘We don’t need a space that big,’” Stephanie recalls. “And then things just kept growing.”

That’s when the duo contacted Darren Sequeira at CBDC Hants-Kings.

“I knew Darren a little from the local Rotary Club,” says Clinton. “We went in to see him, and before you knew it, we owned a building.”

Growth, Gaps, and a Reputation for Customer Service

Part of Triple E’s rapid growth came from a clear gap in the market.

“At that time, there really wasn’t anybody doing IT support at the level we were, especially for businesses,” Clinton explains. “We felt there was a big opportunity there.”

But it wasn’t just Triple E’s technological capabilities that gained attention: it was the company’s approach to relationships.

“We pay particular attention to the relationships that we build—with customers, with partners,” Stephanie adds.

Word spread quickly across the Valley. One client led to another. Then another. At one point, the company absorbed entire groups of customers from other IT providers—growth that was both exciting and overwhelming.

“It was a little chaotic, to say the least,” Clinton says of one particularly intense stretch.

Today, Triple E supports businesses across the Annapolis Valley and beyond, with a proactive service model focused on long-term tech support rather than one-off fixes.

A Family Business Comes Full Circle

While Triple E was growing, another opportunity was quietly taking shape.

Butt’s Auto Service had been part of Stephanie’s life for years. Her parents purchased the business in 2002, building on a shop that dated back to 1975. Over time, it became a well-known and trusted name in the community.

“I started working there part-time at the front as a service advisor,” Stephanie says. “So it’s kind of interesting to come full circle now.”

By 2021, with her parents ready to step back, Clinton and Stephanie made the decision to take over.

“It was probably more of a difficult decision for me,” Stephanie admits. “I’m less of a risk taker.”

Clinton – a self-acknowledged lifelong car enthusiast – saw the potential immediately.

“I’m always excited about what’s possible,” he says.

Once again they visited Darren at CBDC Hants-Kings, and once again they received the necessary financing to purchase the business. In a matter of months, the couple completed the purchase and stepped into leadership—bringing fresh eyes and energy to a long-standing local business.

Two Businesses, One Philosophy

On the surface, IT services and automotive repair might seem like very different industries. But for Clinton and Stephanie, the approach is the same.

“We’re very relationship-focused, people-focused,” Stephanie says. “Our teams are the most important, and our customers are very close. Both businesses are built on trust.”

That philosophy carries across both businesses.

At Butt’s Auto Service, the team has grown to include multiple Red Seal technicians and apprentices, working in an industry facing a significant labour and skills shortage.

At Triple E, the service team supports a wide range of clients, often acting as both problem-solvers and trusted advisors in an increasingly complex and high-risk digital landscape.

And in both businesses, culture matters just as much as technical skill.

“Credentials definitely matter,” Clinton says. “But if the fit’s not there, it’s not going to work.”

Recognizing this, the couple has invested heavily – financially and emotionally – in building a fun and rewarding workplace culture.

Adapting in Fast-Changing Industries

Both industries have changed dramatically in recent years—and continue to evolve.

In IT, the shift toward cybersecurity and cloud-based systems has transformed how businesses operate.

“Ten or fifteen years ago, cybersecurity was talked about—but not in the same way,” Clinton says.

In automotive repair, the rise of electric vehicles and increasingly complex onboard technology is reshaping the skills technicians need.

“Cars are as much computers now as they are mechanical,” he adds. “Our businesses are sort of growing towards each other.”

For the Townsends, staying ahead of those changes isn’t optional—it’s essential. The couple is keen to consult with other industry experts and business owners to stay on top of best practices.

Built on Community

Back outside, that sign continues to draw attention—and smiles.

Originally started by Stephanie’s father, the sign was never meant to sell—it was meant to connect.

“My dad used to say, ‘if I ever start advertising oil changes for a certain price,’ it’s all over,” she says.

Instead, the focus has always been on humour, creativity, and fun. As further evidence (as most locals will know), Butt’s marked its 50th anniversary in 2025 by rolling out a widely noticed ‘I ♥ Butts’ bumper sticker campaign.

That same spirit extends to sponsorships, local events, and a steady stream of word-of-mouth referrals that continue to drive both businesses forward.

“I’d say most of our growth has come from referrals in the community,” Stephanie says.

Looking Down the Road

And as for the long-term? Well, the Townsends’ vision is still evolving. The couple has two children, one of whom already spends his summers working in both businesses.

“We’ve always said, for our kids, if there’s interest there down the road, they’re welcome to be part of it,” says Stephanie. “But it’s not an expectation – there’s no pressure.”

What is clear, though, is that continued growth is part of the plan.

“I’d love to see expansion,” Clinton says. “There’s a huge opportunity in both industries.”

Stephanie is a bit more measured, but equally open to what’s next.

“We’re very open to growth,” she says. “But we want to do it in a way that makes sense for us.”

Whether that means new locations, diversifying services, or simply continuing to serve their community, the mission remains the same.

Because at the end of the day, for Clinton and Stephanie Townsend, success isn’t just about fixing cars or solving IT problems.

It’s about building something lasting—together.