The Venezuelan husband-and-wife team behind Freehold Service Center — Ricardo Beria and Nellisa Khan — knew from their first day in business that they were in for a special ride.
“We always dreamed of opening a business in downtown Freehold,” said Khan. “This is the first town we lived in when we first arrived in this country, and we loved it very much.”
After trying their hand at running a service center nearby in Keyport, they finally found their perfect Main Street spot in Freehold and started operations in March 2023, where they’ve been ever since.
Beria grew up in the auto repair business — his dad was a mechanic and young Ricardo learned how to take apart and put together a whole car engine early on. Always talented and passionate about cars, he knew starting his own shop was a step he would eventually take.
“Opening up a business is always a scary thing to do because you never know how it will go,” said Khan. “You can only try your best to make it work and trust the process.”
Even with that uncertainty, both Beria and Khan worked two jobs for years to make their dream a reality.
The service center prides itself on keeping up to date with the latest industry technology, using the most durable parts for repairs, providing clear estimates with detailed explanations of the work that needs to be done — especially if it’s something urgent — and treating customers like family.
It’s no surprise that the town has reciprocated that energy.
Khan reflected that the love and support they receive is truly extraordinary, from people who stopped by to wish them good luck in the beginning to the community coming out to support their grand opening to all the people willing to give them a shot.
“We understand how busy life can get sometimes and how much a car is needed,” Khan said. “For a lot of people, it is not a luxury, but a necessity.”
PHOTOS BY JOE AMATO PHOTOGRAPHY
“We always dreamed of opening a business in downtown Freehold,” said Nelissa Khan, who owns Freehold Service Center with her husband Ricardo Beria. “This is the first town we lived in when we first arrived in this country, and we loved it very much.” The couple is from Venezuela and their business is on Main Street.
On top of that, every repair they perform comes with a one-year warranty for both parts and labor.
As a business owner, Khan said her favorite part of going to work is that something new and exciting awaits her every day, and her goal is always to improve and do the right thing. She especially enjoys interacting with customers.
“Now I understand the saying, ‘When you love what you do, it will never feel like you’re working.’”
Khan also says it’s a super rewarding feeling to help someone get back on the road and keep their life on schedule, thanks to the shop’s experienced mechanics who are trained to diagnose and solve problems efficiently and precisely.
To keep your automobile in tip-top shape, Khan recommends always paying attention to your dashboard, listening for any unusual sounds like squeaking, grinding, or knocking, and being aware of any odd smells, like burning.
If you feel your vehicle is driving differently, if there’s a vibration or pulling, or if you see a leak, these signs can indicate potential issues, so it’s best to have professionals check it as soon as possible.
As much as she loves the auto industry, Khan hopes more than anything that their business journey inspires someone else to start their own.
“I always tell people to try it. What’s the worst that could happen? If you fail, you can always start all over again.”
Khan said that if the duo finds another location that they love as much as this one, they are ready for Freehold Service Center Number 2.
“Freehold is a very friendly town where the community supports you, so if anyone is thinking of opening a business here, I highly suggest that you do.”
