Dirty Hands Clean Work Takes Auto Repair to Another Level

By R.J. Cohn

Bryce Smylie’s deep-rooted passion for automobiles has never stopped since he was the neighborhood kid who tinkered on V-8 muscle cars and rotary motors with his older brothers in the family garage growing up in Sierra Vista.

Fifteen years later, the 2017 Buena High School grad who blossomed in Alex’s Wolff’s CTE automotive course and graduated with a 4.0 GPA with an associate’s degree in automotive technology from Universal Technical Institute is living proof of what hustle-and-drive of entrepreneurship is all about.

In less than a year since Smylie began his Dirty Hands Clean Work mobile repair business, the personable 26-year-old mechanic has racked up more than $100,000 in gross revenue, servicing over 250 clients from Sierra Vista to Tucson.

For Smylie – who drives to your home or place of business for oil changes, brake and motor repairs, plus full engine rebuilds or replacements – it’s more than just fixing cars less expensively and faster than dealerships and automotive shops.

“Part of my motivation is how can I help someone,” said Smylie, an ASC-certified mechanic. “I like creating one-on-one relationships with people whose cars I’m working on and making a positive impact at the same time,” he said. “I really care about my clients’ vehicles, and I’m focused on keeping their cars running smoothly. Nobody likes having car problems because they can be costly. I’m here to get the job done a heck of a lot cheaper than any place around.”

Smylie, who earned his chops working in auto shops, dealerships and Midas repair chains, means what he says. After buying his home, he began offering vehicle repair services to neighbors. Word-of-mouth of what the young mechanic was able to accomplish at half the cost and in less time than local repair shops quickly spread.

He also drove on county roads, state highways and stretches of I-10 helping people whose vehicles were broken down or had flat tires. He’d make the repair, give them his card and tell them to call him when they needed an oil change or had a mechanical problem.

His phone was suddenly ringing with new and repeat customers. In a few months, Smylie was busy, and Dirty Hands Clean Work mobile repair service was in demand.

“It felt like the right thing to do, helping people whose cars were on the side of the road with a problem,” he said. “It’s what I do. I like feeling I’m making a positive difference in my community.”

But making the jump from fixing his neighbors’ cars and flats for motorists stranded on the roadway to running his own business in the face of major competition was a massive step for the young mechanic who was barely 26 years old.

“Someone once told me that when you’re ready to make the leap, then burn the boats,” he said.
“I was more than ready. I couldn’t wait to get started and make that leap. It’s been going incredibly well ever since.”

While Smylie’s bread-and-butter consists of oil changes, brake and alternator repairs, he loves getting his hands into engine rebuilds and can usually complete a rebuild in one to three days.

“That’s about 150% faster turnaround time than just about any place around,” he said, "and it’ll be for a lot less money.” 

Smiley sees long-term, future growth for his mobile auto repair business in Cochise County. He knows most people don’t like having their day interrupted by waiting for their car at a dealership, which can often take hours. 

“In the next couple years, I want to bring in three to six employees and expand the operation and start scheduling customers several weeks out,” he said. “I want to make it as easy as I can for people to book an appointment, so they don’t have to leave their home or work. I’m here to get the job done for them.”