Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Nochez.
Erik, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey with Action Clutch started back in 2010 as a junior in high school. I started off cleaning parts and sweeping the shop. At the time, I hated it and I told myself I would never work here when I graduate. The good thing about working here at the time was that I was getting my $20 to $40 that I can save for my lunch money and buy my good ol hot cheeto bags and candy from the students selling out of their gym bags. I saw this as a good idea, and so I began buying some gummie worms and mixed it with chamoy and tajin (Mexican toppings). I started selling every other day at school and making about $50-$75 a week. I saw the potential I had and so I began seeing what the trends were. I saw that women UGG boats, G-shocks, and Beats by Dre were some hot items during those years. I started selling those items in person and on eBay. It was the start of my entrepreneurial journey.
I graduated high school in 2012, then I applied to work for LA county. I got a job offer and debated the same day if I should move forward with the job. I debated because I was going to school and also working at action clutch. I called my aunt that day and spoke to her about the situation. As a hustler, I told myself I would be able to work for LA county and help Action Clutch grow. The conversation with my aunt consisted of these simple words: Do you want to be a boss or work for a boss? I ended up rejecting the job offer and decided to focus all my time and energy towards action clutch. That’s where it all began.
Don’t get me wrong through this time I was going through a lot mentally. What I have learned along these years is that mental health should always be priority in alignment with your physical health as well. The hardest part of my life has been dealing with drug and alcohol. I fell into a rabbit hole thinking I did not have a problem, but deep down inside I knew I had a problem. The best thing I did was put my ego and pride aside and seek help. I met Eddy who I see as my mentor and he has walked alongside with me on my journey. I have learned a lot in this past year about myself and what my purpose is. Its a process and its something that you learn every day. Everyday is an opportunity to improve on yourself. The only person that can control the outcome of your days and moods is yourself. Please don’t take your mental health for granted. Invest in yourself, it’s the best thing I did.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been smooth. The biggest struggles have been dealing with drugs, alcohol, and fitting into the social environments.
Please tell us about Action Clutch, Next Level Wraps and Bodywear.
I own three companies.
Action Clutch was founded back in 1962 in East Los Angeles. We have been providing an affordable high-quality option for the automotive community for almost 60 years now from everything from stock OEM replacements to performance kits that support over 1,000 horsepower. Not only do we partner with professional racers in all factions but we also partner with a number of highly driven individuals who want to make a name for themselves in the car industry. We offer single plate kits all the way up to triple plate setups covering the entirety of the market.
Next level wraps is also an automotive company that specializes in vehicle wraps. We work on all types of vehicles from small coupes to trailers. The quality of our wraps sets us apart from the rest. We take a lot of time in perfecting our installs on every panel.
Bodywear is an apparel brand that offers comfort pieces that can be lounged in or dressed up. (We have some examples on our Instagram, @body_wear). We are best known for our comfortable joggers and having great quality. I love hearing the great feedback of our clothing because we strive to always have great quality pieces. Bodywear is also well known for its tagline: Be You and this is also what I am most proud of because I strongly believe that living and being one’s true-self is happiness. If you want to be happy, stay true to who you are and just Be You. Trust me, it’s not as easy as it sounds, it is the most difficult and most beautiful journey one can take because in order to be yourself, you have to know yourself, to know yourself you have to face yourself!… At the moment, the only thing that sets Bodywear apart from others is that I’m the guy behind it and that I’m on my own timing.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would redirect the energy I spent trying to fit into places and peoples live back into my own well being. I feel like we take so much time trying to get other people to like you and life is not one bit about that. Life is about living in the present moment and making every moment and experience one to remember.
Contact Info:
- Address: Action Clutch
3912 Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90023 - Website: www.actionclutch.com
- Phone: 3232696051
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: actionclutch
- Facebook: https://bit.ly/2XiDDZl
- Twitter: action_clutch
- Yelp: https://bit.ly/2GE5VbU
- Other: https://bit.ly/2BObtwn
Image Credit:
Photo credits to myself @eriknochez
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