MOBILE-CARWASH BUSINESS LEADS TO A BRIGHT FUTURE.

Byline: Posted by Minerva A. Hernandez

valleynews.com user

Each and every Wednesday for the past six years or so, in cold or hot weather -- as long as there's no rain, James Quiros has come like clockwork with his mobile-carwash equipment to spruce up and shine as many cars as his portable water supply can handle.

Initially, Quiros, 29, started in the mobile-carwash business by working for someone else. But instead of wishing he had his own business, he decided to take a risk. He sold his car to purchase an old van and buy his own car-washing equipment.

"As you can see, it's a transaction I don't regret. "It's given me the freedom to earn a living, adopt my own schedule and continue with my education," he said.

His dedication and reliability have brought a lot of clientele. Besides servicing the Daily News in Woodland Hills on Wednesdays, he also takes his mobile-carwash business to Corporate Air Parts, Creative Age Publications and Project Stone By Belstone -- all three companies located in Van Nuys.

Quiros was born in Panama, but says that when he was 11 years old, his family had to move to Costa Rica because of the effects of military dictator Manuel Noriega's actions in Panama.

Later on, at age 21, he obtained a six-month visa allowing him to come to Utah. During that stay, he met April -- the girl who'd "steal" his heart, and whom he married a year later.

Through hard work, Quiros has been able to accomplish much for his age. He has earned his associate degree with honors from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, and he's earning his bachelor's degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge.

He's been able to purchase a town house, and his main concern is to provide for his wife and his 19-month-old little girl named Nora.

Because of his good reputation, honesty and hard work, Quiros has already received an offer to become the administrator of a state-of-the-art car-washing business that will open soon in Santa Clarita, where he also lives.

We hear so much about negative things going on with young people, but we also must focus on the other side of things -- on young men like Quiros, who first had to overcome a language barrier. He broke rock for construction work to pay for his studies and now he tends to his mobile-carwash business to provide for his family as he finishes his education.

Soon all his efforts will pay off, as he continues to work, but in a much better field. He said, however, he wouldn't mind it a bit if he had to continue washing cars.

"I just want to be a good provider for my family," he said.

He credits his parents, Ricardo and Emilse, for raising him and his only sibling, Leslie, to be responsible and teaching them to be honest in all their ways. Rules he's tried to live by.

In finishing our conversation, Quiros said, "Goals can really be accomplished if one is willing to work for it."

In other words, "Si se puede," which translates into -- Yes, it can be done!

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John Quiros made an investment in his future and started a mobile-carwash business. He's now finishing his education and embarking on a career.

Minerva Hernandez valleynews.com user