From Technician to Owner

When Nestor Gutierrez first walked into Rancho Express Lube, he never imagined one day he would own it. At 19, he started as a lube technician, shy, introverted, and more comfortable under the hood of a car than talking to customers at the front desk.

His early days weren’t easy. The business had gone through several ownership changes, it was slow, and he often thought about quitting. But the absentee owner saw something in him that Nester didn’t yet see in himself. He pushed Nester into leadership roles, challenging him to do the very things he disliked — customer service, management, and leadership.

That uncomfortable stretch became the training ground for everything that followed.

An Unexpected Opportunity

Three years into the job, the owner told Nester something that seemed impossible: one day, this business would be his. At the time, Nester had only $80 in his bank account. Buying a business felt out of reach.

But with support from family and creative financing from the owner, he made it work. A $40,000 down payment, structured payments over three years, and relentless drive allowed him to pay off the business in just ten months.

This leap of faith completely changed the course of his life.

Building the Business

Owning the shop came with new challenges. At first, Nester worked grueling hours, often from early morning to late at night. His wife joined in by helping with paperwork to ease the load, but Nester quickly realized he had bought himself another job, not true freedom.

The turning point came when he invested in better systems and mentorship. By attending conferences and surrounding himself with industry leaders, he discovered new tools, better software, and smarter ways to run operations.

That investment in knowledge paid off. Revenue grew steadily, and in just two years, the shop hit more than $2 million in sales.

Lessons in Leadership

Success didn’t just come from working harder. It came from making tough leadership decisions. At one point, Nester realized some of his best technicians were also holding the business back through bad habits and lack of accountability. Firing employees he once relied on was painful, but it opened the door to building a stronger culture based on integrity, quality, and teamwork.

He began to see that great businesses don’t just attract customers. They also attract the right people when leadership sets clear expectations and values.

The Power of Mentorship

Throughout his journey, mentorship played a pivotal role. Nester invested heavily — over $750,000 in coaching, training, and events with leaders like Grant Cardone, Brandon Dawson, and Andy Elliott. Each step helped him sharpen his vision and scale faster.

His philosophy became clear: commit now, figure it out later. That mindset pushed him past self-doubt and gave him the confidence to keep growing.

Looking Ahead

Today, Nester is not only running a thriving shop but also coaching other automotive business owners through 10X programs. He shares the same lessons that transformed his life: embrace discomfort, invest in mentorship, and build systems that allow businesses to grow beyond the owner.

His next big goal is franchising, with a plan to expand to five locations in the next 15 to 18 months. Long-term, he also hopes to acquire struggling shops, revitalize them, and scale them into profitable businesses.

Final Thoughts

Nester’s story is proof that you don’t need to have everything figured out to start. What matters most is the willingness to take risks, learn quickly, and surround yourself with the right people.

As he puts it:

“Don’t be afraid to open up a business or grow your business. Sometimes the magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.”

Watch the Full Story

Want to hear Nester share the full journey in his own words? Watch the episode below.

This story is a reminder that with grit, mentorship, and vision, even a young technician with $80 in his account can build a multimillion-dollar business.