From $400 and Survival Mode to an Entrepreneurial Spark

Most people look at $400 as a small cushion. For Jason Diaz, it was the only money he had to his name during his first days of college. Sitting in his dorm room and realizing that those few bills would run out quickly, he brainstormed a way to stretch them further.

Instead of playing it safe, he placed an ad online offering to buy used iPhones. Within hours, he had deals lined up. By cleaning them up and flipping them for profit, he turned his last $400 into the foundation of his first real hustle. That moment wasn’t just about survival. It was the start of a mindset that would carry him through every stage of his entrepreneurial journey.

A Childhood Surrounded by Cars

Jason’s story really began years earlier, working alongside his father in Orange County’s automotive industry. His dad was a car detailer, and Jason often woke up at dawn to help wash and dry entire dealership lots. While he didn’t love detailing, he knew he wanted to build a future connected to cars.

That early exposure gave him two things that would later prove invaluable: a strong work ethic and familiarity with the automotive world.

From iPhones to Tint Shops

After experimenting with side hustles like eBay sales and even vape pens, Jason eventually found himself back in the car industry. A conversation with a Tesla owner about the high price of window tinting sparked an idea. Tinting not only had higher margins than detailing, but it also demanded a level of precision and skill that few could master.

Jason invested in training, bought materials, and attempted his first tint job. It took him all night, cost him an entire box of film, and earned him just $100. Most people would have quit. Jason doubled down. He was willing to lose money and sacrifice comfort in order to master a skill he knew had massive potential.

Building a Business Out of Grit

Jason’s first tint shop wasn’t glamorous. He leased a small, bare-bones space with no waiting area, no office, and just enough room for a single car. In the early days, he battled unreliable employees, quality control issues, and the constant fear of receiving a bad review.

At one point, the stress nearly pushed him to walk away. But Jason refused to quit. Instead, he asked himself a simple question: “If anyone is going to cause stress, why not let it be me?” That mindset pushed him to take ownership, fire underperforming staff, and rebuild his business on a foundation of quality and accountability.

The Power of Reviews and Reputation

One of the most remarkable aspects of Jason’s story is his obsession with maintaining quality. In an industry where poor workmanship often leads to negative reviews, Jason built his reputation around customer service and craftsmanship. Six years into running his shops, he has never received a single one-star review — an achievement that sets him apart in a competitive market.

That dedication to reputation has allowed him to charge premium prices, attract loyal clients, and expand into new locations. While other shops cut corners, Jason invested in higher-quality materials and training, knowing that clients would happily pay more for peace of mind.

Scaling and Thinking Bigger

Jason’s business didn’t just survive — it scaled beyond what he once thought possible. After navigating challenges like COVID-19 shutdowns, relocating shops, and reinvesting every dollar back into growth, he reached a point where his tinting company was generating millions in revenue.

He now operates multiple locations, has expanded into residential and commercial tinting, and employs a growing team. But what truly sets him apart is his willingness to dream bigger. For years, Jason thought that making $10,000 a month would be the peak of success. Today, he sets his sights on multi-million-dollar growth, commercial contracts, and building a legacy that goes far beyond cars.

Lessons for Entrepreneurs

Jason’s journey holds lessons for anyone chasing a dream:

• Start with what you have, even if it’s just $400.

• Be willing to learn, even if it means failing through your first attempts.

• Value your reputation, because trust is often more valuable than advertising.

• Dream bigger, because small goals limit what you’re capable of achieving.

Watch the Full Story

Want to hear Jason share his story in his own words? Watch the full interview below and see how persistence, resilience, and vision turned an ordinary start into an extraordinary success.