Golden Rule Small Engines: Serving Others Runs in the Family

Since opening shop in 2014, Joel Kreider has looked forward to each day as an opportunity to meet people, care about people and serve others as the owner and operator of Golden Rule Small Engines in Red Bluff. The name of his shop is a reminder to treat others as you would want to be treated and, every day Joel has the challenge to model that for his sons who join him at work.

Sons Partner with Their Father to Learn Life Skills

Some days at Golden Rule you can catch as many as seven of Joel’s sons doing everything from selling lawn mowers to learning how to fix their own bicycles. Joel and his wife, Fern, have 10 children—bringing eight boys into the world before their two girls came along. The children range in age from three to 20. Their oldest, Josh, is the service manager at Golden Rule and Victor, 17, runs the sales counter. Michael is also there daily and, one by one, all the boys are becoming partners in the business. Joel’s intent is “for each of our sons to commit to the business for a season before pursuing their own goals and interests.”

From left: Joel, Caleb, Conrad, Victor, Michael, Joshua. Front: Josiah, Leonard.

The three oldest Kreider boys have graduated high school and each of them is working on certifications for the shop. Several of them are certified with STIHL and Husqvarna and hope to get certified in generator repair. These are useful skills the boys will be able to take into life and use for both work and for helping others. It is a win-win for everyone.

Joel learned this firsthand as a teenager helping his brother in mower repair in Texas before moving to Red Bluff to serve as a pastor, start a family and open his own business. All three of these endeavors are connected—overflowing into the other throughout the day. Joel is one of three pastors serving at Followers of Christ Fellowship on Baker Rd. He shared that all of the pastors teach that “God is the center of our lives and is part of all we do in life; work, raising families and interacting with our community.”

Quick Service and Dedication

Theodore Yoder is part of Joel’s fellowship and serves as a General Partner of Sequoia Sheds on Baker Rd. Theodore’s opinion of Golden Rule Small Engines is that it “is a refreshing place to visit. Joel and the boys are always helpful. I highly recommend their store for any small engine needs.”

One of Joel’s goals at Golden Rule is to provide quick service to the landscapers in the area so that they can get back to work and finish their jobs. Jay Gross, owner of Northern Property Services, Inc., appreciates that and had this to say about the business: “It is a small family-owned business operating with integrity—always helpful, extremely knowledgeable and conducting business with a smile. Why do business with anyone else?”

The shop has been very busy selling gas operated machinery ahead of California’s impending ban on gas engines. Kreider even offers home pick up and return for equipment needing repair. This is a handy service for those without trucks or trailers.

Joel feels very blessed to be raising his children alongside the business. Parenting is not something you leave at the end of the day—children learn the most from working and living alongside their parents.

Visit their website Golden Rule Small Engines and see what is currently available in used or new mowers, chainsaws, weedeaters, generators and more. Or, better yet, stop in at 22835 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff and see what those Kreider boys are up to—their energy and joy are contagious. The shop is open Monday through Friday, 7:30am- 5pm.