What if sharing a car and knocking on doors as a student became the launch pad for a six‑figure business?

In today's conversation, Steve welcomes Eric Fraser — once a rookie branch manager with the YEAA program (via Student Painters) and now the founder of PitStop Mobile Oil Change. Eric drops the story of how he and his brother shared one vehicle, hustled through logistics and cold‑calling, and eventually scaled a mobile oil‑change business to nearly $750K in revenue.

They explore the mindset of radical responsibility, the value of early accountability, and how hard‑earned habits from a summer business translate into both corporate and entrepreneurial success.

Listen now to avoid staying stuck in "what‐if" mode, gain a unique blueprint you won't read in textbooks, and commit to the kind of execution that turns ideas into action.

Timestamped Highlights

• [00:01:15] – The ROTC‑to‑entrepreneur pivot: Why physics major Eric chose the summer business route

• [00:03:45] – How Eric and his brother ran one car, shared gas funds and built their first branch manager launch

• [00:08:45] – Why having "just one car" forced discipline, marketing, and accountability

• [00:14:51] – The journey from $60K in sales his first year to managing and mentoring a team

• [00:17:16] – The mobile oil change business idea: from Jiffy Lube job to fleet contract with 500‑700 oil changes/month

• [00:22:17] – Cold‐calling Avis/Budget fleet accounts: the prompt and process behind the break‑through deal

• [00:28:15] – The three big takeaways: start messy, delegate for leverage, radical responsibility wins

• [00:43:33] – What's next: "Messy growth year" 2025 and goal to build a ~$1M‑sale business in 3‑5 years

About the Guest

Eric Fraser is the founder of PitStop Mobile Oil Change, a growing mobile fleet and retail vehicle maintenance service with locations in Columbus, OH and San Diego, CA. A former branch manager with Student Painters/YEAA, Eric leveraged early leadership and sales experience to transition into data analytics and consulting roles (including at Booz Allen Hamilton and Intuit's QuickBooks division) before returning to scale his own business. His blend of operational discipline, sales grit and leadership mindset offers a rare blueprint for students, corporate professionals and entrepreneurs alike.

🔗LinkedIn | PitStop Website | [email protected]

Mentioned Resources

• Student Painters / YEAA internship program

• Jiffy Lube (as early job context)

• Data analytics consulting: Booz Allen Hamilton, QuickBooks Payments

Important Links

• Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website

• Watch our case study: Leaders Across America

• Find more success stories here: Our Alumni

• Connect with Steve:

• LinkedIn: Steve Acorn

• Instagram: @steveacornyeaa

Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.