From the Magazine: It’s Your Turn: A new path for automotive technicians

A mobile repair business could be the key to breaking free from the corporate grind

I’ve been part of the automotive and transportation industry world since I was young. The pandemic provided an opportunity for me to return to school and, shortly after, I took a leap and opened my own mobile repair business, focusing on both diesel and automotive services.

Trade school was a thriving environment for me, and I took every opportunity to support my peers by offering tutoring sessions and sharing knowledge from my hands-on experience. After all, being a great mechanic means pushing yourself to continuously improve — and that’s only possible when you have strong competition. It’s a win-win-win for the customers, technicians, and the industry as a whole

Although I’m relatively new to the industry, having launched my company just three years ago, I’ve noticed an unsettling trend: Many new techs and a few older ones appear jaded and a bit sour of their current employment throughout the entire industry. There are many great technicians better than me who feel stuck.

The few standout techs that do excel often go unnoticed and are usually underpaid — especially in regions like the Greater Toronto Area, where the cost of living continues to climb, further souring the minds of those great techs out there. I am by no means the best technician or mechanic, but I did find myself trapped and becoming sour in this same situation. I knew there had to be a better option.

Many of these talented technicians find themselves trapped in what I call the “pizza party corporations” — large companies that offer superficial perks, like a slice of pizza, a handshake and a pat on the back for being great. Meanwhile, some of these large corporate companies reap record profits without properly rewarding their best employees. It’s a formula that leaves talented techs feeling undervalued and frustrated. All too often, that frustration seeps into their attitudes and work.

To those techs who feel stuck, disillusioned, and underappreciated: There’s another way. Don’t let bitterness take hold — don’t seek to “get even.” Instead, focus on getting better — the mobile business model is the solution.

You can’t start a mobile business and be a “Mickey Mouse” technician; you need to be 10 times better than all of your competition.

I have slowly been gaining traction in the industry, particularly on the mobile repair and security system side. But there are also lucrative and fulfilling opportunities in all areas of the industry. I’ve had the privilege of helping many of my peers and associates launch their own niche mobile operations — whether in mobile detailing, diagnostics, repairs, specialty parts, you name it.

What sets a mobile business apart is exceptional communication and the ability to deliver outstanding service. While my services may not be inexpensive — often rivalling the rates of major OEMs — the experience I provide is second to none.

The key advantage of running a mobile business is that the revenue goes directly to you. But — and a big one — that freedom comes with much responsibility. As a mobile business owner, you’re not just a technician — you’re also a service advisor, parts technician, payroll manager, ambassador and accountant. You’re responsible for the successes, but also for the inevitable challenges that come with running your own show.

Building a successful mobile business isn’t without its hurdles. There will be times when things go wrong — and they do go wrong. You’ll need to take responsibility, even when circumstances are beyond your control. Often, this means absorbing the cost of a mistake or sacrificing your own time to make things right. However, the most important asset in this business from what I have found is your reputation. Your name and the quality of your work will define your success.

Starting and running a mobile business requires more than just technical expertise. You need to be a skilled communicator, professional in every aspect and possess a high level of emotional intelligence to understand and meet customer needs. You must also be driven to continuously improve, honing your skills every day.

There is a mindset of “there are no problems, only solutions” that you must possess. You cannot start a mobile business and be a “Mickey Mouse” technician; you need to be ten times better than all of your competition. Not knowing everything in our industry is fine but you need to know how to compile and obtain information to find a solution.

With the busy lives of many motorists on the road, commercial and otherwise, I have found customers genuinely appreciate the services my business offers. I have not had one unhappy mobile repair customer nor have any vehicle I have installed a security system for been stolen.

Fix it right the first time still resonates with me from my time at a few dealers. Anyone can do what I’m doing, but the key is to do it right and do it quick — in that order. We are in the service industry. Great service should always come first.

To the next generation of automotive technicians reading this, I want you to know that there is an alternative to the corporate grind. While the path of a mobile business is not without its challenges, it offers the opportunity to take control of your career, earn the respect and compensation you deserve directly from your customers, and avoid the frustrations that often come with working in a traditional rigid corporate setting.

Whether you’re interested in detailing, welding or heavy repairs, the mobile business model can offer you a fulfilling, profitable, and self-directed career path that puts you in charge of your own destiny.

Mark Tirbany is the owner of MT Industrial in Toronto

This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of CARS magazine

Photo: Mark Tirbany performs a mobile repair using his 1969 Chevrolet Caprice