The Energy Behind the Execution

Feel-Good Energy Gutierrez says customers have commented about the positive atmosphere created by his staff at Rancho Express Lube.

Headquarters:

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Operator:

Nestor Gutierrez

Car count per week: 270 (average of 45 cars per day)

Staff size: 6 estor Gutierrez began his journey with Rancho Express Lube about seven years ago as a lube technician, but he had leadership on his mind from the start. Gutierrez says at the time, the managers weren’t running the shop effectively. He says they were tough on him, and they left him with a workload that wasn’t distributed fairly without proper compensation.

Gutierrez wanted better for the shop. His boss eventually noticed the poor leadership, got rid of those managers, and passed the store manager title on to Gutierrez.

“Since that day, my main focus was to improve on the culture of the

By Hanna Bubser Photos By SweetEmms Photography

business and retaining employees because people were coming and going and I didn’t think that was okay,” Gutierrez says. “In order to be successful, the team has to be on the same page and looking to stay in the long run.”

Gutierrez says it took several months to build a solid team and start establishing the positive work culture that he wanted to achieve. But it all paid off in 2019 when he got the opportunity to take over the business. These days, Gutierrez is the CEO at Rancho Express Lube, which is in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

“Ever since I was a manager, I always like to lead by example and take care of my employees because I’ve been on both sides,” Gutierrez says. “I know what it’s like. I like treating my people right and I want them to achieve their goals and dreams, just like [how] mine have become true.”

Through dedicated leadership, care for his employees, passion for the business and commitment to workplace development, Gutierrez has established a Best Workplace.

Incorporate Learning Opportunities

The Rancho Express Lube team is motivated to learn, and Gutierrez encourages this by bringing opportunities directly to his employees. He takes them to car and trade shows like SEMA and he offers them

Multiple Benefits

access to ASE training, all of which help the team stay up to date on new car models and information.

But the educational aspect goes beyond the automotive industry as well. Gutierrez is subscribed to the Rob Luna Wealth Academy to help his employees learn how to invest their money. Additionally, he offers sales training through a program with Andy Elliot, which is conducted via Zoom. Gutierrez says enlisting the help of these coaches is a worthwhile investment because it provides valuable insights to his employees.

“I’m willing to spend the money just so my technicians are improving every single day in a way that gives them the opportunity to make more money in the long run,” Gutierrez says.

Gutierrez says giving his team these learning opportunities helps keep everyone consistent when it comes to their approach to service. Jorge Puerto is an assistant manager and service writer at Rancho Express Lube, and he agrees with this sentiment. Puerto says their workplace is built on trust in one another and leaning on each other’s expertise to help the greater group. Learning from one another is encouraged and can be done in a productive way.

“These guys are problem solvers. They’re always looking to learn,” Puerto says. “Something comes up and they have like three or four different solutions and if not, they can always take a step back, have somebody else take the lead, and they’ll learn … they’re always trying to be er themselves as people and as technicians.”

Puerto says the whole team accepts constructive criticism well because it allows them a chance to grow. The team is