North Carolina Client: Carlos Santibañez
Turning Determination into Opportunity
Carlos Santibañez had always dreamed of owning his own business and, in 2009, the opportunity arose to make that goal a reality. He started Carlos Garage in Magnolia, North Carolina, where he began providing automotive repair services to the community. Over the years, his technical expertise, dedication, and commitment to quality service have helped him build a business centered on serving his customers and putting his experience as a mechanic to work.
Bringing Greater Structure to the Business
In March 2026, Carlos attended a Prospera seminar in Beulaville, where he connected with one of the organization’s small business consultants and scheduled a one-on-one appointment for the following day. At the time, his personal and business finances were not clearly separated, and he needed a more organized approach to managing his accounting and administrative responsibilities. Through Prospera’s personalized business consulting and advancement services, Carlos received legal and accounting guidance that helped him recognize the importance of strengthening the administrative side of Carlos Garage.
Since then, Carlos has begun using QuickBooks® to manage his accounting, learned more about the legal structure and administrative responsibilities of his business, and continued working toward formalizing key aspects of the company. He has also received guidance to improve the branding of Carlos Garage and bring greater organization to different areas of the business. These steps are allowing Carlos to complement years of technical experience as a mechanic with the business knowledge and processes needed to manage his company more effectively.
Lessons from His Entrepreneurial Experience
Carlos encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to remain persistent, work hard, and recognize the value of seeking professional guidance when they need it. His own experience has shown him that business owners do not have to navigate every aspect of entrepreneurship on their own. For those considering taking the first step, his advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to start your business. Don’t give up, seek help from professionals who can guide you, and keep fighting and working hard.”
Carlos also describes Prospera as a resource that provides entrepreneurs with practical tools and guidance as they work to build stronger businesses. Having access to that support has helped him navigate areas of business ownership that extend beyond his work as a mechanic. As Carlos explains, “Prospera is a nonprofit organization that helps entrepreneurs start their businesses by providing the tools they need to build them on a sustainable foundation.”
After years dedicated to the work inside his auto repair shop, Carlos is now applying that same commitment to learning how to manage the business behind it. His experience highlights an important distinction between mastering a trade and managing the company built around it, as well as the value of developing both. With new tools and knowledge complementing his experience as a mechanic, Carlos continues shaping Carlos Garage into the business he envisioned when he first decided to become an entrepreneur.
