Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Langford.
Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story and the story of BL Performance are deeply connected.
Before BL Performance existed, I had already experienced some major hardships. In 2008, I survived a carbon monoxide poisoning accident that resulted in the loss of my right leg and the death of someone close to me. Rebuilding my life after that took years.
In 2010, I met Brittney Tellone. Brittney became my best friend, my partner and eventually my wife. We shared a love for cars, racing and the automotive world. We married on June 28, 2013, and began building a life together. We had recently moved into a home with a shop, using most of what we had, so I could work toward starting a business repairing import cars. It was something we were excited to build together.
On October 22, 2013, an intruder entered our home and shot Brittney, her father Michael Tellone and me. Brittney and Michael were killed, and I survived. In a matter of moments, the life and future we had been building were taken away.
When I eventually began trying to rebuild my life, I knew I wanted Brittney’s name to remain part of whatever came next. That is what the “BL” in BL Performance stands for: Brittney Langford. It is not a slogan or a set of business terms. It is her name.
I started BL Performance in 2016 with approximately $700 and a 700-square-foot bay. At first, it was just me trying to turn my automotive knowledge and passion into a way forward. I had experience with performance vehicles and aftermarket modifications, but building a legitimate, trusted automotive repair business from almost nothing was another challenge entirely. I had to earn the confidence of customers, vendors and the community one relationship at a time.
In 2017, BL Performance moved to 1807 NE Diamond Lake Boulevard, where we began adding employees, equipment and new capabilities. We continued growing while learning plenty of difficult lessons along the way. In 2023, we moved into our current facility at 580 SE Oak Avenue. Today, BL Performance has grown into a full-service automotive repair business with a team of people who share our commitment to doing things the right way.
I am proud of how far the business has come, but its meaning has never changed. BL Performance carries Brittney’s name and represents the life we were trying to build together. I cannot change what happened, but I could decide what I built afterward. My goal has been to turn that loss into something lasting: a business founded on resilience, transparency, integrity and genuine care for people.
Today, I want BL Performance to prove what an automotive business should be: a place customers can trust, employees can build a future and the community can rely on. Every time someone sees the BL name, Brittney is still being remembered. That will always be the most important part of the story.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road.
I started BL Performance with approximately $700, very little financial backing and no established reputation as a business owner. In the beginning, one of the greatest challenges was simply being taken seriously. Customers, vendors, financial institutions and other businesses had no reason to trust us yet. We had to earn that trust one repair, one relationship and one fulfilled promise at a time.
We also began with a stronger reputation in performance vehicles and aftermarket modifications. Expanding into a full-service automotive repair business meant showing people that our abilities went far beyond building fast cars. We had to prove that the same knowledge required to make modified vehicles operate correctly could be applied to diagnosing, maintaining and repairing everyday vehicles at a high level.
Personally, I was still rebuilding my life while trying to build the company. I was dealing with grief, the physical challenges of being an amputee and the financial pressure of starting with almost nothing. There were times when simply continuing to show up was an accomplishment.
As the business grew, the struggles changed. I had to learn that being a good technician did not automatically make me a good business owner or leader. Hiring and retaining the right people, developing systems, managing cash flow, maintaining quality and learning how to lead a growing team were all difficult lessons. Growth can expose every weakness in a business, and we have made mistakes along the way.
The automotive industry also changes constantly. Vehicles are becoming increasingly complex, and tools, equipment, training and technology require significant ongoing investment. At the same time, customers deserve clear communication and confidence that their vehicle is being repaired correctly. Meeting that standard consistently requires a great team and a willingness to keep learning.
There have been many points where quitting would have been easier. What kept me moving forward was knowing what the BL name represents and recognizing the responsibility we have to our employees, customers and community. The road has not been smooth, but every difficult season has helped shape the business and the person I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BL Performance is a locally owned, full-service automotive repair facility serving Roseburg and the surrounding Douglas County community. Although the business began with a focus on performance and import vehicles, today we service most makes and models, from everyday passenger cars and family SUVs to domestic trucks, European vehicles and light-duty diesels.
Our services include routine maintenance, advanced diagnostics, electrical repair, brakes, steering and suspension, wheel alignments, tires, air conditioning and cooling systems, as well as major engine and transmission repair. Performance work is still part of our identity and technical background, but the majority of what we do today is help people keep the vehicles they depend on safe, reliable and on the road.
What sets us apart is not simply the number of services we offer. It is how we approach the repair process. We believe customers deserve honest recommendations, clear explanations and realistic expectations. We use inspections and diagnostic testing to understand the vehicle before recommending repairs, and we try to explain what is needed, why it matters and what can reasonably wait. Our goal is for customers to make informed decisions without feeling pressured or confused.
We have also invested heavily in our people, equipment and continuing education. Modern vehicles are complex and constantly changing, so providing quality repairs requires much more than replacing parts. It requires trained technicians, accurate information, advanced diagnostic equipment and a culture where people are willing to keep learning. Our repairs are also supported by a ProVantage 24-month or 24,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance, which gives our customers additional confidence after they leave the shop.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that BL Performance stands for something real. The BL represents Brittney Langford, but the values behind the name have grown to include resilience, transparency, integrity and genuine care for people. Those values influence how we treat customers, how we support our employees and how we make decisions.
I am also proud that we have built a team, not simply a place where people come to work. Some of the same people who helped us during our early years remain part of the company and its leadership today. Their commitment and the trust our customers have placed in us are greater accomplishments than any building, piece of equipment or sales number.
What I want readers to know is that BL Performance is more than a performance shop and more than a general repair facility. We are working to build a trusted automotive home for our community—a place where customers know they will be treated honestly and employees have an opportunity to grow, build stability and take pride in their work.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We officially are turning 10 years old September 8th 2026!
The most important thing I would add is that Brittney should be remembered for how she lived, not simply for how she died.
She was adventurous, determined and full of life. She loved cars, dirt bikes, racing, her work as a hairstylist and spending time with the people she cared about. BL Performance carries her name because of the person she was and the future we had hoped to build together. I never wanted the tragedy to be the only thing people associated with her name.
I would also like to thank the Roseburg community. BL Performance was not built by me alone. It exists because customers were willing to trust a new business, employees believed in what we were building, and friends, family members and other local businesses supported us through difficult seasons. Every referral, returning customer and person who gave us an opportunity helped us reach where we are today.
Success does not erase what happened, but it can give you an opportunity to create meaning from what remains. My hope is that BL Performance continues to honor Brittney by becoming something that positively affects other people: a dependable business for our customers, a stable place for our employees and a company that contributes something meaningful to the community that helped us survive and rebuild.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blperformanceinc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLPerformanceINC
