Marin Auto Works
“SBDC Advisor Richard Strezo helped me understand what the lenders really needed and made my loan package presentable. Richard found a lender who would work with my financials and helped me get to the finish line. Getting the lender to close was like pulling teeth, but Richard’s support made it possible.”
Profile
Chris Aguirre is the new owner of Marin Auto Works, a full-service automotive repair shop
located in Mill Valley, known for its high-quality service and deep community roots.
As a general repair shop, Marin Auto Works handles everything from routine maintenance to complex diagnostic work. The team services European vehicles, as well as Japanese and domestic cars. Chris has plans for the future and ideas to transform the interior by remodeling the front area into a welcoming space for clients to enjoy while their vehicles are being serviced. He’s also looking to expand the shop’s offerings to include electric vehicle (EV) services. His long-term goal is to build a multi-location operation that he can one day pass down to his family, continuing the tradition started by the original owners of Marin Auto Works.
Challenge
Chris’s biggest hurdle was securing financing after being turned down by traditional commercial banks. Having never gone through a business acquisition before, he assumed obtaining a loan would be straightforward—but quickly discovered the complexity of convincing lenders. He had to prove both his own qualifications as the future owner and the shop’s long-term viability.
The shop’s financial performance had been inconsistent in recent years, raising doubts even in Chris’s own mind about profitability. Marcel’s unique financial position added another layer of complexity. As both landlord and business owner, with multiple income streams from other properties, Marcel’s circumstances didn’t reflect what Chris would inherit. This made it imperative that they isolate the auto repair shop’s true revenue. Developing detailed two-year financial projections was daunting without prior experience in business planning.
Financing wasn’t the only challenge. After six years as a technician, Chris suddenly had to step
into a leadership role. The ownership transition was announced just one week before he officially
took over, and almost immediately, he was confronted with his first personnel issue. In an
industry where experienced, skilled employees are hard to come by, Chris knew every staffing decision carried weight. At the same time, he felt the pressure of filling Marcel’s shoes.
Customers adored Marcel’s friendly, approachable style and trusted him personally. Chris had to balance honoring that legacy while earning the confidence of both the team and clients as the
new face of the business.
Thankfully, Chris and Marcel had planned the transition carefully. With Marcel still active in the shop to help hand off clients, they’ve been able to create a smoother path forward for both the business and its loyal customer base.
Game Plan
The most impactful assistance Chris received from the SBDC came from Richard’s guidance in structuring his loan application and navigating SBA requirements. After being rejected by traditional banks, Chris was unsure how to package his financing request. Richard reviewed the business’s profit and loss statements, tax returns, and cash flow, confirming the business could support the loan and shaping the materials into a compelling package.
Richard’s lender selection was pivotal. He connected Chris with Ready Capital, an SBA-only lender accustomed to complex deals. When the lender attempted to place a second lien on Chris’s home—a Below-Market-Rate (BMR) property with deed restrictions—Richard stepped in. He researched the BMR rules, explained them to the out-of-state lender, and clarified SBA SOPs: lenders must attempt to secure collateral, but approval is still possible if none exists. His intervention reassured both Chris and the lender, preventing the deal from collapsing.
Richard also assembled a complete loan package—including financials, projections, and contracts—and introduced Chris to Green Business Escrow and a life insurance provider to meet collateral requirements. This preparation streamlined the underwriting process and demonstrated Chris’s readiness as a business owner.
Richard’s expertise turned what looked like an impossible situation into a successful $503,000 SBA loan approval that made Chris’s dream of ownership a reality.
“I thought getting a loan would be easy – like in the movies, where you walk into a bank and pitch your idea and if they like it, boom! you get a loan. I quickly learned it doesn’t work that
Chris Aguirre, OWNER, Marin Auto Works
way. After being rejected by the big banks, I was referred to the SBDC. I had no idea how to put together a loan package that lenders would actually review. I used ChatGPT to help formulate
my draft, but realized I needed more guidance to ensure approval.”
Results
- Started business on August 11, 2025 as an S-Corp.
- Received $503,000 loan from Ready Capital.
- Hired 3 full-time employees (with owner being 4th full time employee).
- Invested $25,000 of own funds to start business.
- Received $7,000 in grants from friends and family to get business started.
- Received $23,750 in a loan from friends and family.
- Increased sales since starting, bringing in $75,000 in the first few weeks.
