At seventeen, Ray Lopez took an after-school job at a local parts counter to make a few bucks and talk cars. What he didn’t realize was that the smell of oil and the sound of impact guns would set the course for a lifetime in the automotive industry.
In this episode of Driven to Success, Vic Tarasik and David Wofford sit down with Ray to talk about his first Pontiac, his early days behind the counter, and how curiosity, hard work, and a few Chilton manuals built a career that still fuels his passion today.
You’ll hear how selling spark plugs led to lasting relationships, what Ray learned from the technicians who shaped his path, and why a simple opportunity can turn into a calling.
Key Takeaways:
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The power of saying “yes” to small opportunities
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Lessons learned from the retail counter and early mentors
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How curiosity and consistency shape a lifelong career
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