Valero Owner Says Troubleshooting Sometimes Requires a Nap

Name: Simon Ho

Age: 44

Occupation: Gas station owner and car repair expert

What brought you to this area?

After my mom died, when I was 12, the family moved to Oakland. I am the youngest of eight. I went to high school at Oakland High School, graduated in ’85, then went to College of Alameda for its vocational program in car maintenance—that was a two-and-a-half year program. Afterwards, I worked in my brother’s auto repair shop in Oakland for 15 years, and then, when the opportunity came up, I bought Piedmont Valero in 2009.

I’ve been in the auto maintenance business all my life. I work long hours, 12-hour days, but I like what I do.

Before I came here, I didn’t know where Piedmont was. I was happy to find that it is a small, friendly town—very supportive.

The best thing about this place is the kids. I see them grow up, then come back to visit after they go to college, all grown up.

Do you have children?

My son is 12. We live in San Ramon, and sometimes he comes in to work with me. But he’s not interested in this work. It’s hard to get him away from video games.

What do you like best about your job?

It’s challenging. There’s always something new to figure out. With the new cars, things are always changing, and you have to keep learning. Sometimes, when I can’t figure out what to do, I take a short nap in my car, and when I wake up I know what to do.

What’s the hardest part of your work?

Troubleshooting. It can take a long time, and labor is the most expensive part of car repair. It can take many steps to find out what the problem is, sometimes. …

I [also] didn’t realize how difficult the gas part of the business would be. Taxes, fees, electricity, air management—many parts of the government are involved, and there are high upkeep costs. But it’s necessary. …

Why have you decorated your garage with such beautiful tall plants?

In Vietnam, we have a custom to give something that’s growing for a new business, so the business will grow as high as the plants. So my family gave me these plants.

It’s fresh when you walk in, and I like to work in a clean environment, so the plants are part of that.