Today we’d like to introduce you to Rudy Mateo.
Hi Rudy , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m Rudy Mateo, and I run Zs Clean—a mobile detailing company I built the slow way: one mistake, one lesson, one car at a time.
I was born in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, and came to the U.S. with my mom when I was about eleven. Moving to a new country without the language was hard, but I’m grateful for the opportunities here and I try to honor them by doing things the right way. We’re licensed and insured, and we take pride in operating above board. We didn’t have much growing up, but we had enough. My dad—Mateo—was the classic Latin dad: he provided, showed up every day, didn’t say much, and his love looked more like actions than words. That mix—tough, steady, not very soft—taught me to work even when it’s uncomfortable.
I started detailing in 2022, not because it looked glamorous, but because I needed a path forward. It wasn’t a passion at first. I was nineteen, no one in my family had run a business, and I didn’t know how to price my work or value my time. I made every beginner mistake—once I spent eight hours on a car for $80 and still heard complaints. I even quit for two weeks and tried delivering packages. Those two weeks showed me exactly what I didn’t want: a life where I wasn’t building anything of my own. I came back determined to learn, charge fairly, and do it right.
So I went back to basics. I took low-priced jobs, chased perfection, and learned fast that some cars aren’t going to be perfect—pet hair, sand, oxidation, clear coat issues. I started with the dirtiest cars at the lowest prices, and that’s what sharpened my skills. I don’t live with regret; I believe every action moves you toward the goal, good or bad. I passed out flyers and business cards, knocked on doors, posted on Facebook, and worked through the San Diego heat. The thought of quitting showed up sometimes, but the goal was clear. I kept showing up—working, learning, improving.
Things shifted when my brother Brandon stepped in. He started running ads, built a website, and took some weight off my shoulders. We grew from there. We’re not perfect—I’ll be the first to say it—and I’m not yet where I want to be. I’m ambitious, and I aim higher for my family’s well-being and a better future. Nothing’s going to stop us. We plan to keep growing, learning, and moving forward. It’s a long road, and I’m ready for it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No—it hasn’t been smooth.
I came to the U.S. at eleven without the language, so “figure it out” became normal early. That followed me into business. When I started Zs Clean in 2022, I was nineteen, with no blueprint, no mentor, and a head full of questions like: How do you price time? How do you say no when a job isn’t right? How do you build trust when you’re the new guy with a bucket, a machine, and a last name people mispronounce?
I undercharged a lot in the beginning. I remember spending eight hours on a car for eighty dollars and still hearing complaints. That one stung. I quit for two weeks and tried delivering packages, thinking maybe a steady paycheck would fix the knot in my stomach. It didn’t. It just showed me what I didn’t want—clocking in, clocking out, building nothing. I came back to detailing, a little embarrassed but more serious.
The work itself was humbling. I took the jobs no one wanted—pet hair packed into carpet, beach sand welded into floor mats, oxidation that laughed at me. I chased perfect on cars that couldn’t get there, and the clock punished me for it. In the San Diego heat, I was passing out flyers, knocking doors, posting on Facebook Marketplace, and learning the slow, quiet skill of being told “no” without taking it personal. Some days the calendar was empty. Some days a client canceled the morning of, and the whole week felt like it tipped over.
There’s the business side, too—the part you don’t see in before-and-after photos. Cash flow when you’re mobile and self-funded. Equipment that fails the day you need it most. Water tanks, generators, chemicals, pads, insurance, licensing—paying for all of it before you pay yourself. Being young and not always taken seriously. Learning to write estimates that respect the work and still win the job. Fixing small mistakes the right way, even when it costs—because the brand is your last name.
Marketing was another uphill climb. I didn’t understand websites or ads. I tried things that didn’t work and paid for lessons I only understood months later. Then my brother Brandon stepped in—built a site, started ads, brought some order. That helped, but it didn’t skip the hard parts. You still have to earn every review, answer the phone when you’re tired, and keep promises when it would be easier to reschedule.
The personal part is real, too. I grew up with a dad whose love was action, not words. That shaped me—steady, not soft—but it also meant I had to learn how to slow down, reflect, and not carry every loss like a judgment on who I am. There were nights I came home quiet, thinking about a missed spot, a tough client, a job that went long and killed the next appointment. Some weeks I felt behind on everything—work, sleep, family, my own thoughts.
What changed? Not a miracle—just small pivots stacked up. I built checklists. I priced by the reality of the work instead of the fear of losing it. I learned to say, “This is a paint correction, not a quick shine,” and stand by it. We invested in better tools. We put systems around booking and follow-ups. We committed to being licensed and insured, to bringing our own water and power, to doing things the right way even when it’s slower.
Is it smooth now? No. But it’s steadier. The road still has bumps—weather, cancellations, hard jobs that test patience—but the difference is I’m not guessing in the dark anymore. I know who we are, what we offer, and how to carry myself through the tough days. Zs Clean was built the slow way—one mistake, one lesson, one car at a time—and if I’m honest, that’s the part I’m proud of. We’re not where I want to be yet, but we’re moving, and I’m not stopping.
We’ve been impressed with ZS CLEAN SAN DIEGO , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Zs Clean is a family-run mobile detailing company serving North County San Diego. We come to you with our own water and power, we’re fully licensed and insured, and we keep every visit organized—clean setup, tidy teardown, clear communication, and respect for your time and driveway.
What we do: we restore, protect, and maintain daily-driven cars so they look good and last longer. Our core work is full interior and exterior detailing, plus paint correction and protection. Inside, that means deep vacuuming, stain extraction, odor reduction, leather cleaning and conditioning, and careful finishing so the cabin feels calm and clean again. Outside, we handle proper washes, decontamination (iron removal and clay), paint enhancement or correction when needed, and protection with sealants or coatings.
If your paint is failing or damage is beyond what detailing can do, we’ll say it. We won’t tell you a peeling clear coat or a deep, through-the-paint scratch can be “fixed” with a quick buff. We respect the value of your money and the work it took to earn it. If your car needs paint work, we’ll say paint work. If it needs a polish or a correction, we’ll explain the difference, what’s realistic, and how to protect it afterward. We’re not focused on squeezing every dollar—we’re focused on relationships, real results, and customer satisfaction. Our customers are the heart of the business, and we appreciate each one.
Our Services
• Interior-only, exterior-only, and full inside-and-out details (tiered so you can match the job to the car’s condition).
• Paint enhancement + sealant, multi-step paint correction, and ceramic protection options.
• Add-ons as needed: pet hair removal, heavy stain work, odor treatment, leather reconditioning, engine bay cleaning.
• Maintenance plans for regulars who want simpler visits and predictable pricing.
What sets us apart:
• Consistency you can feel. Checklists, standard processes, and the right tools so results aren’t random—the goal is the same finish, every time.
• Straight answers. We don’t blur “detail” and “correction.” We explain the work, the limits of the paint, and the protection that makes sense for how you drive.
• Prepared and professional. Licensed, insured, and fully mobile with water and power. We respect your space and show up ready.
• Helpful communication. Confirmations, reminders, and a completion message with photos so you know exactly what was done and how to care for it.
• Thoughtful products. Quality, biodegradable cleaners and methods that are safe around plants and grass while still delivering real, durable results.
Brand-wise, we’re proud we built this without shortcuts—honest estimates, steady improvement, and finishes that still look good a week later, not just in a photo the moment we pack up. If your interior needs a reset, we’ll make it feel calm again. If your paint needs correction, we’ll do it carefully and protect it properly. And if you just need maintenance, we’ll keep you on a simple schedule so the car stays clean without drama. That’s our lane.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I don’t have a formal mentor yet—I’m actively looking. I’m serious about it, too. If someone experienced is reading this and willing to help, I’m more than willing to pay, show up, and even clear my whole week of jobs to learn. Growth matters to me, and I learn fast when I’m around people who’ve already done what I’m trying to do.
So far, I’ve relied on podcasts, YouTube, courses, and classes. I take notes, test ideas the same day, and keep what works. It kept me moving when I didn’t have the budget for coaching. But I’ll be honest: a mentor compresses years into months. Courses are good; a coach is better. You get clarity, accountability, and fewer expensive mistakes.
What’s worked for me in the meantime:
• Keep showing proof of work (before/afters, real results) so people know I’m serious.
• Ask specific questions, not “got any tips?”—things like pricing a tough job, setting expectations, or when to say no.
• Follow up with value—share what I implemented and what changed. People open doors when they see effort.
• Join one or two real communities (local business groups and one niche online space) and contribute weekly, not just when I need help.
If you’re trying to find a mentor, here’s how I’m approaching it:
• Make a short list of people whose path looks like the one you want—local if possible.
• Reach out with a clear ask (30 minutes, one topic), offer to pay, and show what you’ve already tried.
• Be easy to help: show up on time, bring notes, implement fast, report back.
• Offer something in return—your time, your skills, or your network. Mentorship is a two-way street.
• Keep knocking—polite persistence beats one perfect message.
My mindset on this is simple:
• “Fail fast, learn faster.”
• “Give 100% over time and you’ll get there—the only instant failure is quitting.”
• “Clarity beats speed; accountability beats motivation.”
I’m still doing the solo learning—podcasts, videos, courses—but I’m ready for the next level. A mentor would sharpen my decision-making, save me from avoidable mistakes, and help me build smarter systems. Until then, I’ll keep doing what’s worked: do good work, document it, ask better questions, and keep showing up.
Pricing:
- • Mini Detail — Cars from $168, Small SUV $209, XL/Truck $239 (light interior refresh + exterior wash; no clay bar, wax, or shampoo; includes leather clean & condition)
- Complete Detail (Inside & Out) — Cars from $230, Small SUV $289, XL/Truck $329 (deep interior + exterior wash & decon, windows, trim)
- Paint Enhancement + Sealant — Cars from $349, Small SUV $399, XL/Truck $449 (1-step polish to improve clarity and reduce light swirls; sealant applied)
- Interior Only — Cars from $178, Small SUV $169, XL/Truck $189 (vacuum, cracks/crevices, wipe-downs, glass; leather clean & condition as needed)
- Ceramic Coating — 1–2 yr from $299, 5 yr from $1,199 (requires paint prep; final price based on condition and size)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zscleansandiego.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zscleansandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZsCleanSandiego
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-mateo-b9504a384/
- Twitter: https://x.com/zscleansandiego
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zscleansandiego
- Other: https://share.google/bL6qX11PYhama2Pff
