Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí. | Carlos Barcenas contributed to this story.
As a tow truck driver, Faustino Lopez Barcenas has gotten used to dealing with wrecked vehicles. However, he didn’t expect that towing one smashed-up car could lead to him operating his own auto sales business.
Working in the transportation business has been Faustino’s livelihood for almost 30 years, with much of that time spent as a driver for Omaha Public Schools. After a business opportunity with a friend fell through, Faustino decided to buy a tow truck and open a towing business.
Not long after, he got a call that changed everything.
“A person reached out to me to have his vehicle towed because it was wrecked and they wanted to sell it,” Faustino said. “After I picked it up, the owner wouldn’t respond to my calls, so I found paperwork in the car from the dealership. The dealer told me that this person didn't pay for the vehicle and they had been looking for it. I offered to deliver it to them if they paid me for my services. Once I got there and they saw the car was wrecked, they asked if I could just junk it.”
That encounter led to a five-year towing contract between Faustino and the dealership’s owner. He started towing cars from auctions to the dealership and eventually asked if he could use some of the space on the lot to sell a few cars he had fixed up after towing.
“From there, we became partners,” Faustino said. “I eventually rented half of the dealership to sell my cars. Then, my partner wanted to leave and said he wanted to sell me his share.”
When Faustino started looking into ways to get a loan, one of his cousins recommended the Center for Rural Affairs. He wasn’t aware of all the services the Center offered, but Faustino knew he needed to make fast decisions to get a loan quickly.
After learning more about the Center, he was impressed by the organization's range of programs.
“I liked the Center because I come from a ranch family, and I know that farmers work very hard,” he said. “The Center is investing its money to help when there is no one else. The truth is that we all eat from the fields, and if there are no farmers, the food runs out. When I was 15 years old, I worked in the fields around Nebraska, cleaning beans. I have confidence in the Center because of the passion they have to support the rural areas, farmers, and growers.”
Center staff helped Faustino with the loan application process, and he got his loan in April 2022 and became the sole owner of 90th St. Auto Center, in Omaha.
“I wasn't that scared to invest, but I had my reservations about investing too much just because of the uncertainties of running a small business,” Faustino said. “But I love the place and I didn't want to lose it. In fact, my other job is about five minutes away, and my house is in the area; everything is connected here.”
Because Faustino was already familiar with the inner workings of the business, there were no big surprises after taking ownership. Along with his driving job with the school system, his main focus has been selling affordable used vehicles, and occasionally providing towing services when he has time.
“There are many competitors around his business location, though one major competitive advantage Faustino has is that his business mostly sells vehicles under $10,000,” said Luis Franco, senior loan specialist with the Center.
His auto center is in the central part of Omaha, and Faustino has customers who come from all over the city with different financial backgrounds.
“Because of where I am located, some people come from places with more money and better resources, and some people have less money,” he said. “So, at first I was afraid that the cars were not going to sell, but I soon realized location was a key point. I can sell anything because of where my business is located.”
Faustino runs the dealership by himself, with occasional assistance from his wife and children. Since he has connections from his other jobs, he hasn’t had to worry too much about attracting clientele.
“I don't advertise since I work with more than 500 drivers in the public school system,” Faustino said. “Most of them know what I do, so they send their relatives and they connect me with other people. I built a website, but the truth is that most people come here because they know me and from word of mouth.”
He has faced a few challenges since opening. The COVID-19 pandemic and its lasting effects touched most small business owners, and Faustino was no exception.
“When there is a crisis, it affects everyone, especially business owners,” Faustino said. “So, my friends were the only ones who bought from me and kept me afloat in those times.”
Setbacks and challenges aside, Faustino loves what he does and encourages anyone venturing into the small business world to stay focused and keep working for what they want.
“My favorite part of owning this business is that at the end of the day all the profits are mine, so the more work I put into it, the better the day goes, and the more profits I make,” he said. “If you want to start your own business, don't give up. At the end of the day, if you keep going, you will be the one who will emerge victorious.”
He’s grateful for everything the Center has helped him with over the past few years, and he recommends it to other entrepreneurs.
“The Center is excellent, and the people who helped me are very knowledgeable and have the answers to everything,” Faustino said. “Any questions I had, I spoke to them and they told me exactly what I had to do to succeed.”
Are you in need of financing to purchase or upgrade a business? Contact your regional loan specialist. Find yours at cfra.org/lending-staff.
At a glance
90th St. Auto Center LLC
Faustino Lopez Barcenas
2707 N. 90th St., Omaha, Nebraska 68134
402.884.2345
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website
