Today we’d like to introduce you to Randy Begin.
Hi Randy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have had a passion for the automotive industry since I was 14. Changed my first motor at 15 built my first race motor at 16 I have never done anything else for a living in my life other than repairing vehicles(other than six months at a 7:11 lol) And because I love it so much. I feel like I’ve never worked a day in my life.
Early 2005 I realize that if I wanted to be ethical transparent, and honest I would have to start my own repair facility. I reached out to the only former employer that I felt was an honest operator Woo Choi at Mission Hills Automotive. I bought his business in 2008 and it was an immediate success. 2012 I opened my second location in Pacific Beach Cass St automotive with an emphasis on working on classic and custom vehicles. As of 2025 both shops are doing quite well and we recently won best Auto Repair facility in San Diego by the Union tribune readers pole at Mission Hills Automotive, and have been awarded best automotive repair shop gold award from uptown News in the Mission Hills area. and for the 13th year running we have won best automotive repair facility with San Diego‘s Beach And Bay Press at Cass Street automotive.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Taking over Mission Hills Automotive was relatively smooth and straightforward. It had been run fairly efficiently by an honest operator a couple of small changes and it was roaring away.
Cass St automotive was a much different story. It had been run into the ground by three different administrations before I took over. It had a terrible reputation and it took two years of extremely hard work to get it up to profitable status.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mission Hills Automotive?
From the start, I wanted to be honest and ethical every step of the way. I do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor do I tolerate anybody who does. This makes operating in the automotive repair industry quite difficult, considering all the bad players that have taken over large pieces of this industry. So my most proud accomplishment is to be able to offer my clients honest effective Auto Repair with their best interests in mind. Consider my shops an automotive fiduciary always looking out for my customers. Best interests.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
It’s just as easy to be polite and kind as it is to be rude and forceful, condescending and dismissive. Truly listen to the concerns of your clients and make sure you address them as the number one priority.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.missionhillsautosd.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/missionhillsautomotive308
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionHillsAutomotive308/
