Have you ever felt stuck in a job that drained your soul, dreaming of a way out but unsure where to start? That’s exactly where Desiree Hill found herself six years ago. As a nurse battling long commutes and emotional exhaustion, she took a leap of faith, trading her scrubs for a wrench. Today, her auto repair shop pulls in nearly half a million dollars a year. Her story isn’t just about cars—it’s about courage, reinvention, and building a life on your own terms.
From Bedside to Garage: A Bold Career Pivot
Desiree’s journey began in a place many of us know too well: dissatisfaction. Working as an oncology nurse, she faced grueling hours and a three-hour daily commute. The emotional toll of her job, coupled with missing precious moments with her kids, pushed her to rethink her path. “I was miserable,” she recalls, “and I knew something had to change.”
Her solution? Start a side hustle. But instead of picking something safe or familiar, Desiree dove into the world of auto repair—a field she knew nothing about. Armed with YouTube tutorials and sheer determination, she began buying, fixing, and selling cars. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was profitable. Her first flip—a truck bought for $1,200 and sold for $4,000—lit a spark. “It felt like a rush,” she says. “I knew I was onto something.”
Why Auto Repair? The Power of a Universal Need
Desiree’s choice of industry wasn’t random. She saw opportunity in a simple truth: everyone needs transportation. Cars break down, and people will always pay to keep them running. Unlike trendy ventures that come and go, auto repair offered stability and scalability. “It’s a necessity,” Desiree explains. “No matter the economy, people need their cars fixed.”
“Transportation is a constant. It’s a business that won’t disappear.”
– Desiree Hill, entrepreneur
Her first step was small but strategic. She invested in affordable vehicles, learned to diagnose issues through online videos, and turned quick profits. Each success fueled her confidence, and soon she was juggling her nursing job with late-night repairs. It was exhausting, but the payoff was undeniable. Within a year, she’d flipped 38 cars, pocketing around $100,000.
Taking the Leap: From Side Hustle to Full-Time
By early 2020, Desiree faced a crossroads. Her side hustle was thriving, but it demanded time she didn’t have. The long hours at the hospital, combined with sleepless nights fixing cars, were unsustainable. “I was barely seeing my kids,” she says. “Something had to give.” So, she made the bold choice to quit nursing and go all-in on her auto repair venture.
It wasn’t easy. Leaving a stable career for an industry she was still learning felt like jumping off a cliff. But Desiree’s grit carried her through. She started as a mobile mechanic, driving to clients to fix their vehicles. This low-overhead approach allowed her to test the waters without committing to a physical shop. In just six months, she earned $13,000—modest, but proof her idea had legs.
Building a Brand Through Social Media
Desiree’s next move was a game-changer: she took her business online. By documenting her repairs on social media, she attracted a flood of new clients. Her posts, raw and authentic, showcased her skills and personality. “I didn’t expect it to blow up,” she admits, “but people loved seeing a woman in this space.” Today, her social media presence boasts over 120,000 followers, driving a steady stream of customers to her shop.
Her online success highlights a key lesson: visibility matters. In today’s digital age, a strong online presence can make or break a small business. Desiree’s transparency—showing the messy reality of fixing cars—resonated with clients who valued her expertise and relatability.
- Post consistently to build trust and engagement.
- Showcase your unique story to stand out.
- Use video to demonstrate expertise and connect with audiences.
Scaling Up: From Mobile Mechanic to Shop Owner
In 2022, demand for Desiree’s services outgrew her mobile setup. She rented a small garage space, but even that wasn’t enough. A lucky break came when a client offered her a $10,000 loan to open her own shop. Desiree insisted on paying interest, signing a three-year contract to repay the debt. By September 2023, she’d moved into a 9,000-square-foot facility, now the home of her thriving business.
Hiring a team was the next hurdle. Desiree brought on a mechanic, a welder, and a towing professional, each renting space in her shop. This clever setup covered nearly half her rent, easing the financial strain. “It was a no-brainer,” she says. “I couldn’t do it all alone.”
“Surround yourself with people who fill your gaps. That’s how you grow.”
– Desiree Hill, business owner
Overcoming Stereotypes in a Male-Dominated Field
As a 4-foot-11-inch woman in auto repair, Desiree often faces skepticism. Customers walk into her shop and assume she’s not the boss. “I have to prove myself every single day,” she says. But she doesn’t let it faze her. Instead, she wows clients with her knowledge, breaking down complex issues with ease. Her confidence is contagious, and it’s built her a loyal customer base.
In my experience, breaking stereotypes is about consistency. Desiree’s story reminds us that expertise trumps doubt. By showing up and delivering results, she’s carved out a space in an industry where she’s often underestimated.
Financial Wins and Future Goals
Last year, Desiree’s shop generated $440,000 in revenue, a figure she expects to double in 2025. Her monthly revenue has already jumped to $70,000, and her business is profitable. She paid off her loan in just 18 months—a testament to her financial discipline. But she’s not stopping there. Her next goal? Owning her shop outright to reinvest profits into her team and business.
| Milestone | Year | Revenue |
| Started Flipping Cars | 2019 | $100,000 |
| Mobile Mechanic | 2021 | $13,000 (6 months) |
| Opened Shop | 2023 | $440,000 |
Owning a property isn’t cheap—her current building would cost $4 million—but Desiree is exploring mortgage options. She’s also considering further education, eyeing an online mechanical engineering degree to deepen her expertise. “I’m always learning,” she says. “You have to keep growing to stay ahead.”
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Desiree’s story offers a roadmap for anyone dreaming of a career change or entrepreneurial leap. Here are the key takeaways:
- Start small, but start: Desiree began with one truck and YouTube. You don’t need all the answers to begin.
- Leverage digital tools: Social media turned her side hustle into a brand. Use platforms to amplify your reach.
- Build a team: Hiring experts allowed her to scale. Find people who complement your skills.
- Embrace challenges: Stereotypes and skepticism didn’t stop her. Use doubt as fuel to prove yourself.
Perhaps the most inspiring part of Desiree’s journey is her refusal to settle. She didn’t just want a better job—she wanted a better life. Her story challenges us to ask: What’s holding us back from chasing our own dreams?
The Road Ahead
Desiree’s shop is on track to hit $1 million in revenue this year, but she’s not resting on her laurels. She’s focused on growth, from expanding her team to exploring new services. Social media remains her lifeline, and she’s aware of its fragility. “If my main platform vanished, it’d hurt,” she admits. To mitigate that risk, she’s diversifying her online presence and building word-of-mouth referrals.
What’s next? Desiree dreams of mentoring others, especially women, to enter trades like auto repair. “I want to show people you don’t need a fancy degree to succeed,” she says. Her story is a reminder that success isn’t about where you start—it’s about where you’re willing to go.
Desiree Hill’s journey from nurse to mechanic is more than a career change; it’s a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. She didn’t wait for permission or perfect timing. She saw an opportunity, learned on the fly, and built a thriving business. So, what’s your next step? Maybe it’s time to pick up your own wrench—figuratively or literally—and start building the life you want.
