I started working at my dad’s tire shop about two years ago. Then, I was only allowed to clean up around the shop. It was a boring job and I rarely got to do any of the things that I wanted to do: drive the car around back, work on the engine, or even work in the front office. When I was finally allowed to work on cars, I was terrible at it. Eventually I got better and faster at it and was able to do more jobs. After removing the tires I learned to dismount the tire from the rim and put a new tire on. Next, I learned how to rotate and balance the tires. I struggled balancing them, due to the weight needed in the process. A small weight is hammered onto the rim and makes it so that the tire is equally balanced and will roll straight. The first time I tried to put a weight on, I hammered my finger and cracked my nail. Eventually I got the hang of it and began to work on different jobs around the shop.

Working at my dad’s shop has taught me many valuable lessons. He owns a tire company in Healdsburg, which is one of three shops run by my family. My dad and his family came to America from Mexico with almost no money. Growing up they struggled to make ends meet and faced hard times. My dad and uncles worked hard every day and it paid off. They were able to buy a small company from an employer and turned it into a thriving business. This accomplishment is something that I have always admired. My dad’s story taught me to believe that with hard work and determination you can achieve anything.

Before I began working for my dad I used to walk around the shop as a kid. I had gotten to know the employees and they knew me. Most of the employees are from Mexico and mostly speak Spanish. Although I used to see the language difference as a barrier, between the employees and myself, it soon became a way to bond with one another. Working at the shop, I have gotten the chance to practice my Spanish. When I first started working I always needed help and the only way to ask was in Spanish. Eventually I started to have full conversations in Spanish with the employees and laugh at their jokes. On my first day of work I was given a nickname and for two years since then I have been known as “El New Guy”.

Now I am allowed to drive the cars around back to work on and sometimes go on service calls along with one of the other employees. Currently I am trying to learn more engine work and more technical parts of the car. Through working I became a hard worker and gained mechanical skills that will always be useful. Although it is a difficult and tiring job, I enjoy going to work with my dad. My experience working at my dad’s shop has made me realize how important work ethic and determination are in becoming successful in life. My dad has always told me that if you are going to do something, then do it right. I apply what he told me, to everything I do in life from shooting a three-point shot in basketball to studying for an upcoming Economics test. Looking back on my experiences I now understand and accept that nothing is given to you, you have to earn it.

After learning about my family’s story, the hardships they faced and how they overcame troubles, I began to wonder about my life. In some ways I feel as if I could never be the man my father was. He was able to make something out of nothing when faced with numerous obstacles. In my life I have been given everything, I have never truly earned anything of significance compared to my father. However, what I have been given will allow me to add on to my father’s accomplishments. He has supplied me with strength and character needed to succeed in the world. His story gives me a sense of obligation to go to college so that I do not need to depend on him. I will honor his sacrifice by achieving as much with my mind as I have with my hands.