Meet Anthony Sarmiento | Craftsman, businessman, family man

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

Hi Anthony, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
“For me, starting a business wasn’t just about being independent — it was about having control over the direction of my life. I didn’t grow up with structure or a clear roadmap. I had to figure out how to survive early on, and eventually that evolved into wanting more than just survival.

I’ve always been a builder at heart. My business isn’t just a business. It’s my discipline, my identity, and my responsibility. I started it to gain freedom, but I keep it growing because I want to build something solid enough to pass on.”

What should our readers know about your business?
I install automated gates — but what I really build is trust. In an industry full of shortcuts, guesswork, and rushed jobs, I’ve built a business on precision, code compliance, and clean work that lasts. That’s what sets me apart: I don’t just finish jobs, I finish right.

I didn’t get here the easy way. I didn’t have a network, a college degree, or startup capital. I had hustle, grit, and a past that taught me what it feels like to have nothing and want everything. Every lesson I’ve learned has been through trial, pressure, and figuring it out with tools in hand and time working against me.

What I’m proudest of is that I didn’t fold. I built a company out of nothing while raising four kids, training crews by day, and doing installs on nights and weekends. Motional Gates isn’t just a business — I plan to be proof that you can come from a rough start and still build something solid, respected, and real.

What I want the world to know is this: my brand isn’t built on hype — it’s built on outcomes. You call me, you’re not getting guesswork. You’re getting discipline, clarity, and a gate that’ll still be working long after the noise fades.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First stop? Mary’s Donuts in Lakeside. It’s a local classic, large coffee and chocolate donut is my go to. maybe one of their homemade bagels or breakfast sandwiches if we’re getting serious. From there, we’re hitting one of San Diego’s legendary Greek Chicken spots for lunch, can’t go wrong with that juicy fire-grilled flavor.

In the evening, we’d roll through Gaslamp and Seaport Village, feel the downtown vibe, maybe grab dinner on Harbor Drive with a view of the water and the boats coming in. If we’ve got time and the mood hits, we’d cruise up to Julian for some legit apple pie and a little old-town feel.

One night’s gotta land us at Soda Bar or somewhere with live music ,something underground, raw, and local. Nothing touristy

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If anyone deserves a shoutout in my story, it’s my wife. She’s my high school sweetheart. we started with almost nothing, had our first kid when I was 19, and we’ve built everything side by side since.

She’s held it down at home through four kids, long days, late nights, and all the stress that comes with trying to build something from scratch. She’s the reason I’ve had the space to chase this. I’ve got the tools in my hands, but she’s the one who’s made sure that home base is taken care of.

Website: https://www.motionalgateautomation.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motionalgates/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-sarmiento-470b122b2

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Motional-Gate-Automation-61554594669086/