Harley Earl's Dad's place...

Harley Earl who became the first design director of GM, got his start with his father's business.
 J. W. Earl began work as a coachbuilder for horsedrawn vehicles in 1889 but changed over to custom bodies and accessories for automobiles, founding Earl Automobile Works in 1908.
Harley Earl began studies at Stanford University, but left to work with, and learn from, his father at Earl Automotive Works. By this time, the shop was building custom bodies for Hollywood movie stars. A local Cadillac dealer bought the company and it was through this connection that Harley Earl came to the attention of GM.