Modernizing the Family Business: Zepeda Auto Service

As a young child, Carlos Zepeda came to the U.S. from Mexico with his family, where his father founded none other than Zepeda Auto Service. Over 30 years later, the business is thriving in Chicago, now guided by Zepeda himself.

Though he didn’t initially see himself entering the industry as a young child, as he grew more ambitious in adolescence, Zepeda began wanting to enter the field for himself and make improvements he knew the shop would benefit from. After receiving professional automotive training, he managed to transition the shop from antiquated practices, training its technicians to perform more electrical jobs and introducing services like digital vehicle inspections.

Zepeda sat down to share what it is about the auto repair industry that has drawn him in, and how he’s taken the business his father built and prepared it for modern, computerized vehicles.

A Growing Ambition

In the 1980s, when Zepeda was only six, his father moved to the U.S. from Mexico, where he worked as an industrial mechanic and had experience working with vehicles. He first opened the family business in 1989, operating out of a back alley shop he was renting.

As a kid, Zepeda spent much of his time hanging out in his dad’s shop. Having an interest in art, he considered becoming an architect once he grew up. But in high school, the more time he spent in the shop, the more he began innovating ways for it to improve.

“As I got involved more, as I was growing up, I kind of saw the potential and also saw the struggles,” recalls Zepeda. “I was like, ‘I want to help out.’ So I got involved.”

This motivated Zepeda to enroll in an automotive training program at Lincoln Tech immediately after graduating from high school. Upon his return in the mid-2000s, Zepeda’s father began to incorporate him into his duties as the owner, giving him an opportunity to transition into that role and eventually take over.

Time for a Change

Zepeda realized there was much around the shop that could be updated. He had a new computer brought in for keeping track of parts and labor, and implemented improvements to how they calculated their labor rates.

The shop’s technicians were not yet trained to perform electrical work such as diagnostic calibrations, so Zepeda began attending seminars, classes, and whatever resources he could find to help him prepare his team as he slowly began incorporating services like digital vehicle inspections into his family’s shop.

Some of the older technicians left during the transition, leading to Zepeda and his father helping in the shop more. It was difficult for a bit, but necessary to grow the shop’s capabilities. They rebuilt their team, and hopes were on the horizon for a second location potentially opening soon.

Dusting Yourself Off

The shop’s biggest challenge came in 2008, when an investment by the family fell through during the Great Recession. As the shop continued to improve its equipment, the Zepedas suddenly found themselves having to find a new space to operate out of.

Their plans to launch a second location would be postponed another eight years as they worked to recover—but, as always in tough situations, Zepeda managed to keep a level head and make a plan forward.

“At the time, in 2008, the struggles that we went through—I remember telling my father: ‘They took the hard work that we built, but they couldn't take our hands, our feet, or our brain,’” tells Zepeda. “I got my hands, I got my feet, I got my brain. Let's make it happen.”

For Zepeda, it’s crucial that he views times like that as a lesson that can be learned from; a philosophy that’s only helped him become a more capable business owner.

“Yeah, it was a hard time,” adds Zepeda. “Sometimes you want to say all these negative words, but it doesn't matter. At the end, what matters is how are you going to resolve it? How are you going to take this? Are you going to dwell on this? Or are you going to turn that negative into a positive, learn from that and hope that you don't make the same mistake again?”Though he is officially retired, Zepeda’s father—referred to as patrón, or “boss” by the team—still comes in the shop, helping out around the place as if nothing’s changed; except that he’s taking it a little easier these days, deservedly so.

“The day we don't see him, it's like, ‘Where he's at, what is he doing?’” says Zepeda.

For Zepeda, he is motivated to build on what his father established and maintain his family name's legacy.

“Whatever motivates you to move forward with good intentions, don't stop pursuing them, but don't forget your beginnings, especially. Don't forget your people. Without our people, we can't do anything.” reminds Zepeda. “Whatever inspires you, just keep doing it—and just be happy. I mean, at the end of the day, I think that we’re just borrowing a little bit of time from this world and this life. So make the best out of it.”