Meet Kevin Ekdahl | Mobile Mechanic Owner/Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Ekdahl and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started my mobile car repair service in 2009, my thought process was driven by a mix of passion, opportunity, and a desire for independence. I had always loved working on cars, and fixing friends’ vehicles for free gave me a sense of purpose and showed me a real need for convenient, reliable repair services. I saw an opportunity to turn that passion into a business by offering on-site repairs, which would save customers time and hassle. The idea of being my own boss and building something from scratch was incredibly motivating—I wanted the freedom to shape a business that reflected my values of trust, quality, and customer care.

To get started, I took a practical approach. I secured a $5,000 loan to buy a service truck and essential tools, knowing that mobility was key to making my service stand out. I kept things lean, focusing on organic growth rather than chasing big investments. I advertised for free online, using social media and local forums to reach potential customers, which allowed me to build a client base without upfront marketing costs. Word-of-mouth from satisfied clients became my biggest asset, as happy customers spread the word about my reliable, on-site repairs.

In those early days, I reinvested a significant portion of my profits into upgrading my tools and equipment, gradually improving the quality and scope of my services. Every dollar went toward better diagnostic tools, specialized gear, and maintaining a reliable service truck. This slow, deliberate approach allowed me to enhance my offerings while staying true to my mission of providing convenient, trustworthy car repairs. By the end of 2009, I had a growing customer base and a solid foundation for scaling my mobile service, all built through hard work, reinvestment, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Starting organically forced me to stay focused and resourceful, and it reinforced my belief that a business built on genuine care for customers could thrive.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is the work of my hands—creating, building, and fixing things with a blend of creativity and mechanical precision. From a young age, I’ve been driven to make things that are both functional and personal. In high school, I started making custom skateboards, hand-drawing unique artwork on the decks and customizing grip tape to match. Fellow students loved the individuality of my designs, and I began taking orders, turning my passion into a small business. During summers, I worked in construction, learning to shape wood and understand structures, and as a surf instructor, sharing my love for the ocean. In college, I launched a surfboard repair business to make extra money, mastering fiberglass and resin to restore boards to their prime. These experiences honed my hands-on approach and deepened my mechanical understanding of materials like wood, fiberglass, and later, the intricate systems of cars.

What sets me apart is my ability to blend creativity with technical skill, whether it’s crafting a one-of-a-kind skateboard or diagnosing a complex car issue on-site with my mobile repair service. I’m most proud of how I’ve carried this hands-on ethos through every stage of my life, building things that reflect my commitment to quality and individuality. I’m excited about the trust I’ve earned from customers who rely on my mobile car repair service, where I bring the same care and precision I applied to skateboards and surfboards to fixing their vehicles wherever they are.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Arrival + Lowers Trestles

Morning: Pick them up and head straight to Lowers Trestles. It’s a legendary break with consistently clean waves — the perfect way to kick off the trip.

Afternoon: Grab burritos from Pedro’s Tacos in San Clemente. Classic spot, no frills, just solid surf fuel.

Evening: Chill out with sunset beers and fish tacos at The Fisherman’s Restaurant at San Clemente Pier.

Day 2: Oceanside Vibes

Morning: Dawn patrol session at Oceanside Pier — one of SoCal’s underrated gems.

Brunch: Head to Beach Break Café for epic banana crunch French toast or a loaded omelet.

Afternoon: Cruise around the local art scene or rent bikes along The Strand.

Dinner: Tacos and craft beer at Local Tap House (LTH) — vibe is laid-back and the tacos are next level.

Day 3: La Jolla + San Diego

Morning: Surf Windansea or La Jolla Shores depending on the swell and your mood. Windansea has the iconic reef break and classic SoCal scenery.

Lunch: Fish tacos from Oscar’s Mexican Seafood — you literally can’t visit San Diego without trying these.

Afternoon: Snorkel or kayak around La Jolla Cove, check out the sea lions.

Evening: Head into North Park for dinner and drinks — try Belching Beaver or Modern Times for great local beer and a fun scene.

Day 4: Cross the Border – Ensenada Bound

Morning: Early border crossing into Baja, heading toward Ensenada.

Midday surf stop: Hit San Miguel or Salsipuedes — clean, open ocean waves and less crowded.

Lunch: Street tacos in Ensenada — al pastor, carne asada, whatever’s fresh. Tacos Fenix is a favorite.

Evening: Chill out with a sunset at Punta Banda, then some mezcal cocktails and seafood at a beachfront spot like La Guerrerense.

Day 5: Valle de Guadalupe Wine Country

Morning: Take a break from the surf and explore Valle de Guadalupe, Baja’s wine country.

Wine tasting: Hit boutique wineries like Vena Cava or Monte Xanic for tastings.

Lunch: An unforgettable farm-to-table meal at Fauna — rustic yet modern, with dishes that are both inventive and rooted in the land.

Evening: Stay at a vineyard or eco-lodge and stargaze under the Baja sky.

Day 6: More Baja Waves

Morning: Head back to the coast for one more surf session — Todos Santos or one of the quieter breaks south of Ensenada.

Brunch: Stop at a local panadería for coffee and sweet bread.

Afternoon: Slow roll back north, exploring roadside taco stands and Baja towns along the way.

Evening: Cross back into the U.S. and unwind in San Diego with a final sunset walk at Sunset Cliffs.

Day 7: San Diego Send-Off

Morning: Optional mellow surf at Tourmaline or just coffee and a coastal walk.

Brunch: Epic send-off brunch at The Cottage in La Jolla or Great Maple in Hillcrest.

Afternoon: Cruise around the surf shops, pick up some local gear, maybe squeeze in a last-minute taco stop (because why not?).

Evening: Airport drop-off — sun-kissed, wave-washed, taco-filled, and grinning.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When it comes to who deserves credit in my story, my wife is at the top of the list. She was my biggest supporter when I started my mobile car repair service in 2009. Not only did she believe in my vision, but she also loaned me the $5,000 I needed to buy a service truck and essential tools to get the business off the ground. Her encouragement was pivotal—she pushed me to take the leap into self-employment, giving me the confidence to commit to building something of my own. At the time, I had very little to my name: just a mini carpenter’s toolbox filled with free automotive tools donated by generous neighbors, a skateboard, a bike, and a surfboard. Without her support, both financially and emotionally, I wouldn’t have been able to turn my passion for fixing cars into a thriving business. I also owe a nod to those neighbors who donated tools—they gave me the starting point I needed to begin repairing cars for friends and eventually customers. Their contributions, combined with my wife’s belief in me, laid the foundation for everything I’ve built.

Website: https://carlsbadmobilemechanic.net

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