Today we’d like to introduce you to Luis Lopez.
Hi Luis , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It started me leaving the family business in San Diego, November 2023. After being part of the business since 2014 and being co-owner since 2018 I decided to go back to school and pursue a master degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence. My goal was not to open a business in what I was doing which was suspension, alignment and commercial tires but to finish school and get a job as a Data Scientist, Data Analyst or as a Machine Learning Engineer, but life tends to work in mysterious ways. My dad had some old equipment that he used here in Washington to do precisely the services I used to offer in San Diego but he wanted to sell it.
So I started helping him to try and sell the equipment, I always thought he was basically giving it away but people did not seem to understand the value this equipment can bring. After many failed attempts into selling the equipment I decided to take the equipment and open up a new business. I knew the blue print of a successful business, I know how to run the operations, administration, sales and SOME of the technical aspects into the repairs. So I used up some of my savings, some of my student loan money and took the risk.
We saw a commercial building available, I build up a business plan and presented it the landlord, long story short, we were able to moving in October 2024. Since then, the business has been growing steadily, building an online presence, building local reputation and slowly acquiring market share.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say, challenging. Once I made the decision, I was really focused on what I needed to do. I was under contract on the commercial building for the next 5 years and everyday I was using my personal money to fund the start of the business with my dad only.
I started printing flyers and everyday I would drive around Tacoma and everywhere where I saw trucks parked, I would slide a flyer. There would be time that I would go to the same spots and see my card on the same place where I left it the previous days.
At the same time I was investing heavily on Google Ad, I knew that if I can sacrifice some of my investment towards an aggressive online campaign, I knew people will eventually see me.
The combination of these two actions led me to acquire one customer, from that customer he recommended us to another customer and all of a sudden I was beginning to see some momentum. Slow, but something was happening. I would open at 6am and close at 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays. I would sometime get calls during the weekends after I drove back home (35 min away in Yelm) and needed to go back to deliver my services. I would do road calls while raining, snowing or late at night. I knew all these action were necessary if the business was going to do well.
Fast Forward a couple of months and I needed to hire a technician, fast forward a couple of more months and I have 2 technicians, my dad and someone in administration. I am looking to grow my business even more and create more opportunities for people to work and contribute to my society as much as I can.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Expedited Truck Alignment?
We are a service facility for semi truck. We specialize on suspension, tires and alignment for commercial vehicles. I think what sets us apart is the genuine feeling to help the trucking industry better manage their suspension and tires to improve on-road reliability, tire life, improve MPG and overall enjoy their trucks when they are on the road.
We have been doing suspension and alignments for more than 20 year, we have unique skills that allows us to work more efficiently, provide the best warranties, the best customer service, the best results and the best experience. We understand that if a truck is not running then it is loosing money, that is why is crucial for us to get all of our customers truck on the road as soon as possible,
We sell any tire to our customers, but mostly we like to offer a brand named Hixih, a brand that shares the same ambition and values when it comes to delivering results. This commercial brand is young to the market when you compare it to other named brands but the results customers and fleets are receiving from this tire, helps them minimize their tire costs, improve safety and improve MPG.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
At the end of the day, what matters is you vision. Your vision and your legacy. What am I leaving behind? For me building the infrastructure for generational wealth for my kids and their kids, and their kids is what matters and will dictate my success. All I have now, is the tenacity, ambition, self-motivation to reach my goals and experience what I envision.
What gets me up each morning is the gratitude to be alive with a purpose and for the opportunity to build something for myself, society and family. Success for me is not within a couple of years or 3 weeks of continuous growth in sales, its an introspective experience where you can look back and say. I am fulfilled, I am successful
Pricing:
- 3 Axle Alignment $250 & Free Suspension Diagnostic
- Hixih Steer $475 out the door
- Hixih Drive $500 out the door
- Hixih Trailer $400 out the door
Contact Info:
- Website: https://expeditedtruckalignment.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-lopez-ml/
