Steven Saffier spent most of his free time as a child exploring the woods behind his Artwood Drive home and at the nature center at Pennypack Park. He had an early, almost innate aspiration to become an ornithologist. At the same time, his father, who grew up with the racing Holbert family, worked in the automotive industry including owning an auto parts store in Warrington in the mid-’70s. Growing up in that environment resulted in a dual passion that continues to this day for the 57-year-old Saffier.
After 15 years with the National Audubon Society, Saffier rolled the dice with an automotive radio show in 2018.
“It was a magical year and a half,” Saffier said. “But COVID impacted how advertisers were spending money and I pulled the plug in 2020.”
Soon after, Saffier used his bird expertise to land a job with Wild Birds Unlimited in Buckingham and was also contracted by the Bucks County Audubon Society to work on a biological inventory project.
In 2021, a former sponsor of his radio program, Classic Auto Mall, called with the idea of launching its own automotive podcast and hired Saffier and his media company to produce the show. CarSmarts Media (a doing business as of Saffier’s Artwood Entertainment Inc.) produces not only the weekly podcast with host Stewart Howden, but all aspects of social media for Classic Auto Mall, located in Morgantown, Berks County. To date, the company has garnered more than 2 million video views and thousands of followers.
“We’re proud of what we’ve built organically,” Saffier said. “And being around classic cars and car people nearly every day is just icing on the cake.”
Saffier recently received his state sales license and bills himself as the “in-person contact in the Philly suburbs” for people interested in consigning their car at Classic Auto Mall or if they’re interested in purchasing any of the 600 classic cars currently in inventory at the mall.
“It’s an astounding place and ‘wows’ everyone who enters the doors of this former outlet mall filled with cars. I’m happy to be able to help people in the Philly area sell their pride and joy,” Saffier said.
“The genesis of my occupations can all be traced back to Northeast Philly. It was a warm community where neighbors not only interacted, but became family. That kind of safety allowed a kid like me to pursue two distinct passions that are now full-time professions.” ••
For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.classicautomall.com or www.carsmartsradio.com.
