Hidden Gems: Meet Mauricio Melendez of RestorFX

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mauricio Melendez.

Hi Mauricio, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in East LA, California, not the most hospitable of places to grow up in; My parents are Salvadorian natives who came here in search of the American dream. Through copious amounts of hard work, sacrifices, and perseverance, our parents achieved their goal of moving us to an area with a peaceful community, fresh air, and little traffic, Greensboro, NC. I joined the Marine Corps straight out of high school, with my sister joining a year later. I devoted 4 great years to the service of my country and was able to serve alongside the greatest men and women I have met, learn a new trade, and see multiple parts of the world. I left the service and went to work in the private sector but finally got that gut feeling that it was time to come home. I contacted Carlos (my Father-in-law), and we began to discuss the possibility of opening up a company in the Automotive Industry. We decided we would open an Auto Detailing company. We ran the company side by side for about 3 years until we sold it and bought into a great franchise, RestorFX. We now have two locations and great staff that keep the flow going. We have formed a great team, and everyone has a daily role to play to make this all possible.

I work as the Sales Director and lead contact for the Company while Carlos is the Shop Manager and Training Director for our shops. I take care of the company’s admin, company growth, and customer relations, while Carlos takes care of the company’s quality control, personnel, and financials. We have worked hard to continue to grow the pandemic. We had to downsize our shops and go from an enormous shop to a smaller one; unfortunately, we had to let some of our workers go due to lack of revenue for a period of time. We learned how to make it work, and slowly we began to grow again. We are not yet at total capacity but are working on it. Our company’s goal is to hire veterans and unreserved community members willing to commit their time and energy to produce quality work. My vision is to continue to grow and build more companies that will follow that path and provide jobs and benefits to those that need them.

I am currently enrolled online at the University of Arizona, where I plan to follow their Pre-Vet Program and attend Veterinarian School after graduation. I want to help save animal and human lives as my company (s) continue to grow and prosper.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been smooth at all as a child. I had to fight to stay out of the street life and not be pulled into a life of corruption. While in service and the private sector, life could have gone in many different directions, including death. I learned to remain calm and decide which route to take to survive. As business owners, we have had obstacles like never before, from personal feelings when working with the family to horrible financial roadblocks during the pandemic. We have seen a few obstacles come our way, but they remain. We have had obstacles such as staff shortage, financial stability pulled out, and even contracts lost to other companies.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are the pioneers in regenerative clear coat repair. We are an automotive restoration company based in North Carolina, where we have two shops with a few more on the way. Our main shop is located in Raleigh, NC; our second shop is located in Sanford, NC, with easy access to Fayetteville and Greensboro clients. We provide a service unlike any other company in the state. We give you the complete form of paint correction services that do not require a body shop. We take any vehicle, boat, RV, airplane, and even industrial equipment like farm or construction equipment and rebuild and restore to remove all the years of wear and tear from these vehicles. We do not use outdated techniques like polishing or aggressive cutting with a buffer. We use a technology that builds the clear coat back up without needing to repaint. Our process can be added to almost all types of painted surfaces and is guaranteed by us for the vehicle’s lifetime. Protection packages lie wax, ceramic coatings, and Paint Protection Film (PPF) is also offered to those who wish to add an extra layer of protection to their newly reconditioned vehicle. We work with local detailers and body shops to provide their clients an unmatched experience for a mind-blowing price. We can provide a 24-hour turnaround on most services and will provide pick up and delivery free of charge for vehicles in our area. We also provide interior and exterior detailing in-house for our clients who want us to upkeep their vehicles, boats, and RVs. We are proud of our unmatched process and results. We take pride in knowing that no one can provide the quality service and finish that we can. We work with local businesses and partners to bring the community together through car shows and exhibitions.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always interested in the military due to my father’s military history, but I did have my eyes set on a few other possibilities. I had a love for music and archeology. My passions came from Dr. Dre and Sam Neill in Jurassic Park. I did not imagine myself starting up and owning a company. I was always described as big-hearted, creative, and compassionate. I was a quick learner in Martial Arts, kind in school, and had a big imagination when playing with a friend and going on “adventures” into our imaginary worlds in the backyard and the skate park. I was and continue to be a very social and relatable person. I love to explore new things and emerge myself in different cultures.

Pricing:

• RestorFX Vehicles start at $599
• Vehicle Detail as low as $150
• Paint Protection starting at $499
• Free Estimates at home

Contact Info:

• Website: www.restorfxraleigh.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restorfxraleigh/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/restorfxraleigh/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=0

Image Credits
RestorFX International