Tulsa Tech Alum Runs Successful Business
News From Tulsa Tech By DR. STEVE TIGER
Superintendent
AUTOMOTIVE SKILLS: Expedited Auto Repair, located at 4802 E. 31st St. in Tulsa, has a steady stream of clients, thanks to Zachary Rahman and the word-of-mouth advertising given by many of his satisfied customers.
Courtesy Tulsa Tech
Tulsa Tech’s Automotive Service program teaches students how to perform basic and advanced diagnostics in a modern facility and how to troubleshoot and repair complex automotive systems. In this rapidly-changing industry, students need to learn and have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, working on a variety of vehicles and learning various techniques to optimize vehicle operation and performance.
Zachary Rahman, a former Automotive Service student, was unsure of his future goals until he attended Tulsa Tech.
“Before my junior year of high school, I began to look at some of the classes Tulsa Tech offered,” Rahman says. “I was always a good student, but I wasn’t really interested in anything. After my first year at Tech, it was like a big light came on in my head; I became excited to learn more, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”
The Union High School graduate believes the comprehensive two-year curriculum prepared him well for a career in the automotive service industry.
“During the first semester of my junior year, we studied brakes and suspension,” he says. “During the second semester, we moved on to automotive electrical systems, and the following year we learned about transmissions, transaxles and overall drivability.”
As Rahman learned more and more, he began troubleshooting vehicles using his own garage, but before long, he had more customers than real estate.
“After working out of my own garage for a couple of years, I began thinking about having my own shop,” Rahman says. “I kept getting more work and accumulating more specialty equipment than I had room for.”
Although many satisfied customers were a testament to his mechanical skills, starting up a new business often has many unique challenges, and Rahman admits he was somewhat apprehensive.
“I was definitely a little nervous about starting my own business,” he says. “But family and friends were all very encouraging, especially my wife, who often reminded me about all of the people lined up at our house waiting for me to take a look at their vehicles.”
The young entrepreneur began his search online for a suitable location and soon found a recently closed automotive shop that was exactly what he was looking for.
“I began to look around town for a possible location,” says Rahman. “I was fortunate enough to find a shop, which was pretty much turn-key, with several automotive lifts, a brake lathe, a shop compressor and some additional equipment. I was ready to go.”
To date, Expedited Auto Repair, located at 4802 E. 31st St. in Tulsa, has a steady stream of clients, with new customer referrals coming in daily, thanks to the positive word of mouth from many of Rahman’s satisfied customers.
“I feel that one of the most important qualities of a good mechanic, a good shop, is having someone who is able to communicate with the customer,” Rahman says. “Being able to inform folks about potential problems, without being pushy, or performing unnecessary work, and developing a relationship with each individual customer.”
That’s exactly how we interact with our students at Tulsa Tech, helping each individual find a successful career best suited to their individual needs and capabilities. We are here each day, to help you “Make Your Own Path.”
If you’re currently looking for exciting classes for high school and adult students, quality customized corporate training, or wish to rev up a new career, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 918-828-5000 or visit us at tulsatech.edu.
Updated 07-15-2016
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