How Mark Granam Built a Business—and a Life—on Grit, Grace, and Gratitude while Celebrating 20 Years in Business Serving Palm Coast and All of Flagler County, Fl.

Before the wrenches, the shop bays, and the trusted name Mobil Mark became synonymous with quality automotive care in Flagler County, there was a young boy in Akron, Ohio, trying to make sense of a world that didn’t seem fair.

Mark Granam was just 13 years old when he faced a life-altering loss. His mother, who had been courageously battling cancer, lost that fight. It was a moment that shook the foundation of his world. The pain, confusion, and grief settled deep in his chest — and it didn’t go away. Mark was angry. Angry at the world, at life, at the injustice of it all. And as the years passed, that pain turned into rebellion.

Palm Coast Local Fourteenth Business Insider Features Shawn Griffith with Home Seal, LLC
From Foster Care to Finding His Way: A Story of Wildlife, Redemption, and finding his way to Palm Coast.

Some stories don’t begin with a plan or an idea, they begin by living in the moment.

Shawn Griffith grew up in the shadows, navigating the chaos of foster care with no roadmap and few constants. But even in those early years, moments of quiet connection with stray animals and the rhythms of nature gave him a sense of calm in a world that often felt anything but.

Palm Coast Local 13th Business Insider Features Tony Dahm with Asap Pro Services Plumbing and Drain Cleaning.

Many of you may know Tony—maybe you've seen him on a job site, shared a round of golf, or called on him during a plumbing emergency. But what you may not know is the journey that brought him here to Palm Coast. His story isn’t just about pipes and fittings—it’s about grit, growth, and the bold decision to break away from the expected. It’s about walking away from a path laid out by circumstance and instead carving a new one toward purpose and passion.

This is the story of how Tony found his way—not just to a career he loves, but to a life he's built from the ground up.

Palm Coast Local’s Twelfth Business Insider Features Kristy Craigle – Longtime Resident, Loving Mom & Children’s Book Author

We first met Kristy Craigel during the Washington Oaks Earth Day celebration back in April 2025. She caught our eye as she strolled past our table, gently pushing a stroller with purpose in her step.