Rising Stars: Meet Jd Veloz of El Monte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jd Veloz

JD, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico when I was about five years old with my mom and sister, and like many immigrant families, we faced our share of challenges. But growing up, I was always drawn to cars—how they worked, how they were designed, also the freedom they provided, and how they connected people to opportunities. That passion shaped my entire career, keeping me in the automotive industry from the very start.

I began with Silvercar, a disruptive startup that reimagined car rentals by leveraging technology and modernized processes. From there, I transitioned to Honda’s corporate side, where I handled incoming calls from people across the country dealing with their car issues, and a lot of dealership complaints giving me insight into the struggles many car owners faced. After that, I joined Carvana, another startup shaking up the industry, before moving on to Lucid Motors. At Lucid, I worked closely with the service department, talking daily with technicians and service advisors—friends who shared my passion for cars. It was during those conversations that the idea for CoGarage started to take shape.

I had always believed there should be a space where people could work on their own cars without the barriers of expensive tools, limited space, or lack of knowledge. A garage built for the community, by the community. That idea stayed with me, even when I shifted industries and took on a logistics role managing Amazon vans. Then, one day while casually browsing shops, I stumbled upon the perfect location. That was the moment I decided to go all in on CoGarage.

CoGarage is more than just a business—it’s a movement. It’s about empowering people to take control of their car maintenance, learn new skills, and be part of a community/third space that helps each other. What started as an idea has now become a growing reality, and my goal is to take this nationwide, making CoGarage the go-to space for DIY car repair, education, and connection.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think the biggest challenge is getting the word out there that a shop of this kind exists. A LOT of people that talk with me or clients have said how they can’t believe this has not been done yet. I think its an idea many people have. Its definitely an idea I want to expand on and that I know has lots of potential.

It was pretty disheartening not having any customers or inquiries for the first few weeks of being open. That along with the LA fires did not help the feeling of uncertainty when coming in to open the shop everyday.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Beyond the business, my biggest belief is in helping others in any way possible. Whether it’s offering a space for someone to learn a new skill, free car storage for anyone affected by the big fires last month, giving them the confidence to take on a repair themselves, or creating a community where people support each other, that’s what drives me. I’m most proud of the moments when someone comes in unsure and leaves feeling supported and like they are welcome.

CoGarage isn’t just a place to fix cars—it’s a movement to change how people approach car maintenance, learning, and self-sufficiency. And my goal is to bring this vision to communities nationwide.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My late uncle tossing me in the air in front of his business in Mexico—it felt like flying. More than just the thrill of being lifted, I loved spending time with him at his shop, watching him repair appliances with a quiet kindness that defined him. He was the kind of man who put people before profit, often offering his services for free, even if it meant earning little. His generosity left a lasting impression on me, showing me that true success isn’t measured by money, but by the impact you have on others.

Pricing:

• $30/hr for lift rental
• $50/hr lift and tool rental
• $25/hr workspace and tools
• $50/night car storage

Contact Info:

• Website: https://CoGarage.com
• Instagram: Cogarage.space
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cogarage-com
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/cogarage.space/

Image Credits
Mariano Fernandez