Rising Stars: Meet Chris Duran

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Duran.

Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
When I first came to my grandfather’s auto repair shop, Tire Supply Service Center, I was in a car seat my mom was carrying into the small front lobby. The shop was probably the first place my parents stopped right after leaving the hospital after my birth. My earliest memory was walking through the work floor as a toddler with my dad. I was amazed by all the chaos the early 90s could bring to a mechanic. To this day, I love being in an automotive repair shop. As fate would have it, both of my grandfathers on each side of my family, coming from two incredibly different backgrounds with precise skill sets, were successful automotive mechanics. To say I have fuel in my blood would be a huge understatement. My path to mastering the art of internal combustion engines started as soon as I could hold a flashlight and clean the tools after each repair. I am a “hands-on” learner; however, in my early years, having access to watch a master at his craft was not as easy as a Youtube search would get you today, and I had access to learn from so many people early and often. As time went on, I continued to dedicate myself to being a lifelong student of this industry. I honed my technical skills and knowledge of most vehicle systems on the road today. As a diagnostic technician with advanced testing capabilities and module programming, I find myself with no shortage of vehicles nobody seems to be able to fix.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
I look back at the progress I have made in my life. I would say that most of my struggles came from not understanding a problem fully before making a decision and not being able to communicate my perspective effectively. It sounds painfully obvious, but it comes down to time management and an honest assessment of oneself. Professionally I would say planning out how to accurately diagnose and perform the necessary repairs to get the fix the first time. There is a lot of pressure in that, especially when customers spend their hard-earned money and entrust you with their vehicles. It takes years to build a solid reputation in the eyes of the public. Anyone in the automotive industry can tell you that mechanics are typically slandered on social media and labeled “thieves.” Combine that with commercial ads promoting the sales of DIY “trouble code readers” to sell parts based on every single code. This approach devalues proper diagnostic testing and costs, customers more money in the long run. Unfortunately, certain major parts stores promote this type of business nationally. You would be amazed how many vehicles I get from new customers who have been sold thousands of dollars in parts and labor, and the vehicle still had the same initial problem or was worse. I have heard, “I wish I brought my car here in the first place,” far too many times.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an automotive technician through and through. However, I specialize in diagnostic testing of vehicle systems, engine performance, module programming, and much more as I get further equipped to expand my current capabilities. I have been known to take on almost any challenge that has come across my path, implementing testing techniques combined with my many years of experience and becoming successful more often than not. The only thing holding me back is my creativity and ability to think inside and outside the box. There is much room for innovation in today’s automotive repair facilities. This is also what I believe separates me from the rest of the pack. This is not simply a job to me that I fell into because my grandfather happened to own a repair shop. I view finding the solution to a vehicle fault as an incredible craft to which I dedicate a significant amount of time. To get my hands on those extra troublesome vehicles, I extend my services to shops around the valley that need a set of fresh eyes on the problem. Those make for the best stories.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I recently moved back to Phoenix after three years of living in Los Angeles, and I can honestly say that if I was not born here. I would still choose here to enjoy life and conduct business. Monsoon season is one of my favorite times of the year, with the smell of desert rain and beautiful thunderstorms.. I used to have this super tiny but perfect studio not far from the shop many years ago. It had a front porch area with the best views of what storms mother nature would display. As a mechanic who endures the weather as it comes, which is usually hot, these seasonal changes are almost liberating.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: chrisx.duran
• Facebook: Chris Duran