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Inspiring Conversations with Wesclay Sardinha of Sardinha Wheels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wesclay Sardinha.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started working with wheels over 20 years ago in New York City. A friend invited me to try out at his shop, and as someone who’s always been creative and passionate about cars, I figured it might be the perfect fit. The beginning wasn’t easy, the learning curve was steep, the weather was brutal, and there were plenty of challenges along the way.

But the freedom of the work, the excitement of seeing and driving different cars, and the satisfaction of getting better every day made it worth it. Those early years shaped everything I do now.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Tough doesn’t even begin to cover it. My wife and I spent years working in NYC, but our hearts were always in Arizona. We met in Phoenix, got married there in 2005, and knew we wanted to build our future in a place that felt like home. So we finally made the move back, ready to settle down and start our family.

Once we returned, I found work with another wheel repair company. Then Covid hit. Overnight, I was let go. Our daughter was only a few weeks old, my wife was home recovering, and suddenly we had no income. It was one of the scariest moments of my life.

But that moment also changed everything. I decided I would never again put my family’s stability in the hands of a company that saw me as just a number. I chose to bet on myself. I built my own business, put my name on it, and committed to doing work I could be proud of every single day.

Five years later, we’re still learning, still growing, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our business specializes in high‑quality wheel repair, restoration, and refinishing. We also repair, refinish, and paint a variety of exterior automotive components, including calipers, grilles, spoilers, trim, and more.

We proudly service dealerships across Phoenix, AZ, and we also provide mobile service throughout the valley, meeting customers wherever they need us and delivering professional results on-site.

My name is on the business, ‘Sardinha’ Wheels, and that means every job reflects my reputation. I stand behind my work, I take pride in every repair, and I genuinely love what I do.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Driving around, staying open to conversations, and even light‑heartedly pointing out when someone’s rims could look better, that’s how real networking happens in this business. Meeting people face‑to‑face, showing them the quality of my work, and building genuine connections on the spot has always been the most effective way to grow.

Contact Info:

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