For over 17 years, Hien Hua has been a part of the automotive industry, fixing anything and everything that comes through the shop doors.
Growing Up in the Shop
It was his father who inspired him. He is also a mechanic and opened his shop over 22 years ago. When Hien was just 15-16 years old, he would go to the shop and help is father out with tasks such as cleaning and organizing. Over time, he would teach him about tools and cars, and that’s when his interest in the automotive industry sparked.
When it comes to the type of vehicles Hien works on, he does not discriminate. He will work on anything from domestic to foreign vehicles. But if Hien had to choose a favorite, he would say Honda or Toyota, as they are simple and easy to work on.
Finding Peace
One of the things he loves most about the automotive industry is the peace it brings him. Fixing cars is like a stress reliever to Hien. When he gets a job, especially a big one, he will zone out, put his music on, and get to work. When Hien is in his domain no one bothers him, and he can just vibe out. When he finishes the job, he feels good about himself, because he knows he did a great job.
Tools and Content
As a mechanic, tools are an essential part of his job, and remembers buying his first toolset when he was around 19 years old. It was then that he started taking the industry more seriously. However, his journey didn’t stop at fixing cars. Hien also became a content creator, making funny videos on social media. It all started as a way to make his friends laugh, but it gained a lot of attention, and he never thought it would get him where he is today.
“It's essential to not have tunnel vision on one problem. Instead, think of multiple outcomes.”
- Hien Hua
Entrenched in Work
Timing belts are Hien’s favorite part to fix on a car. He loves doing them because he knows he has 3-5 hours to get it done, and during those hours, no one bothers him. He can just get in his zone and enjoys the peace.
On the other hand, the biggest challenge he has faced in the automotive industry is overcoming the fear of running a shop by himself. Although he has millions of views on TikTok, he is not a very talkative person. But when it comes to business with customers, Hien does not want to let anyone down. He had to tell himself all the time, “it’s okay,” and over time, he got better at managing everything.
Continuing to Learn
In his opinion, the two most important skills that a mechanic should have are keeping an open mind and to never stop learning. In this industry, they do a lot of thinking, so it’s essential to not have tunnel vision on one problem on the car. Instead, think of multiple outcomes. It’s also important to keep learning because there will always be a problem that you won’t be able to fix. Learning, diagnosing, and executing are crucial.
To improve his automotive skills, he attends Carquest classes, which are held every other month. They cover everything from diagnostic to electrical and keeping him updated with today’s cars.
