It all started when one of my buddies worked at the old Malibu Texaco station, which later became a Shell station. Back in the day, Texaco still had full-service fuel pumps—you know, where an attendant would fill your tank and check your oil. My friend, one of the attendants, introduced me to the franchise owner of the station. After an initial meeting, the owner gave me an incredible opportunity: he offered me a parking space at the back of the station, rent-free, to set up my car wash business.

At the time, Malibu didn’t have many car wash options, so I jumped in with both feet. Armed with all the money I had, which was about $250 from my previous job as a drain cleaner, I bought $90 worth of car detailing supplies, a shop vac from Sears, and a banner that proudly said “Malibu Car Wash.” I still laugh about my dad’s advice to keep the vacuum receipt in case it broke—because it did. A lot. I must’ve exchanged that vacuum 10-15 times, which probably didn’t help Sears stay in business!

In the early days, I called on friends to help when things got busy, though their availability was hit or miss. Eventually, as business picked up, I was able to hire someone to work with me full-time. From there, it was slow but steady growth.

Soon after, I began offering additional services like window tinting and paintless dent removal to better serve my customers. Around the same time, I discovered eBay—when it was still fairly new—and started helping my clients sell their cars online. I’d handle the listings, negotiations, and logistics, earning a commission on every sale. It was an innovative and exciting way to help expand what I could offer.

But just when things were rolling, I hit a major roadblock. Shell Oil bought out Texaco and didn’t renew the franchise lease. The new station owners weren’t interested in keeping my car wash arrangement, and I suddenly found myself scrambling for a new location.

That’s when luck—and one amazing customer—stepped in. One of my regulars introduced me to the owner of a nearby shopping center. After meeting with him, we struck a deal for a 15-year lease at a fantastic location. Even better, the shopping center owner made significant improvements to the property, giving me the chance to turn Malibu Car Wash into the thriving business it is today.

What started as a one-man operation in a single parking spot has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s been a journey full of challenges, growth, and opportunities. I'm deeply grateful for the continued support of our customers. This path of success wouldn’t have been possible without the love and encouragement of the Malibu community, and I carry that gratitude with me every step forward. I love you, Malibu – here's to many more milestones together!