Slick operation

A long wait for an oil change provides the inspiration for Mobile Lubers

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Their struggles with military deployments provided the seed for a former Oahu-based Marine and his wife to launch their mobile oil-change business

Paul and Emmanuelle Sailor got the idea for their business while Paul was deployed to Japan and Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps.

While Paul was abroad, Emmanuelle took her car for an oil change and got frustrated with the two-hour wait.

After that experience, the couple decided that there might be a market for mobile oil changes in Hawaii. They researched the concept and discovered that some businesses were successfully providing the service on the mainland, but that the idea had not crossed the Pacific.

After Paul finished his military commitment, they decided to launch their new business concept, Mobile Lubers LLC.

Like any startup business, the couple is putting in grueling hours to help their business grow. However, after being apart due to military separations, they relish their time together.

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FULL STORY »

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes -- a new business.

Mobile Lubers LLC » Owners: Paul and Emmanuelle Sailor » Email: paul@mobilelubers.com or emmanuelle@mobilelubers.com » Call: 554-2567 » Hours: 24/7 » Website: www.mobilelubers.com » Prices: Start at $55 for retail customer oil changes, which include drain and fill oil, remove and replace oil filter and all old fluids, lube all exposed grease zerts, inflate tires to proper air pressure, top off fluids, courtesy check of air filter, lights, belt and coolant levels. The business offers discounts for commercial and fleet service customers.

A week after moving to Hawaii for his job as a helicopter mechanic/crew chief in the U.S. Marine Corps, Paul Sailor met Emmanuelle, the women he would marry. The lightning-fast romance gave birth to Mobile Lubers LLC and, most recently, to baby Makayla.

The couple, who met in August of 2003 and were married just four months later, started their door-to-door oil-change business last year, after Paul completed his five-year enlistment.

"Emmanuelle came up with the idea," Paul said. "While I was deployed, she had to take the car for an oil change and got frustrated with the two-hour wait."

After that experience, the couple decided that there might be a market for mobile oil changes in Hawaii. They researched the concept and discovered that some businesses were successfully providing the service on the mainland, but that the idea had not crossed the ocean.

The couple decided to begin offering mobile oil changes that included inflating the tires, topping the fluids, changing the oil filter, and removing all waste oil and trash.

"We knew from my experiences that this service was needed in Hawaii," Emmanuelle said.

While the cost is $55 per vehicle, the couple gives multiple-car discounts and negotiates specialty rates for commercial fleets.

Mobile Lubers also has a great respect for the environment and follows the strictest environmental standards, Paul said.

"Each crew is trained and fully understands how to dispose used motor oil so that it does not enter the water supply," he said. "We have waste-oil recovery systems on board; all waste oil is removed from the premises and recycled. All used filters are removed from the premises as well and incinerated."

The couple applied for a loan to buy the startup equipment, but like many small business owners in Hawaii found that they did not meet the criteria. Instead, they took advantage of the rise in their Waikiki condominium's value and financed the business with some of their home equity.

They also purchased real estate in other markets and used some of their rental income to offset their business costs.

"We bought our first property in 2004, and that proved to be a perfect time in the market," Emmanuelle said.

Paul bought the business truck online from Cars.com while he was in Iraq. He used phone cards to coordinate other aspects of the business.

"It was rough," Paul said. "We probably spent $300 to $400 a month on phone cards."

After Paul returned from Iraq in April 2007, the couple was finally able to get their business off the ground. While it would be overwhelming for most young couples to juggle a new baby and a new business, after surviving more than a year apart, the couple figures the rest is easy.

"We are really busy, but it's worth it since we are working for our future," Emmanuelle said.

Inspired by the best-selling book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," Paul said that it was always his dream to start his own business.

"You don't build real wealth by working for someone else," he said.

Now, Paul uses the skills he garnered keeping U.S. Marine Corps helicopters airborne to keep his client's businesses running smoothly. Prior to joining the military, Paul also honed skills while working as a welder and a mechanic for a Ford tractor dealership in Ft. Scott, Kansas.

While Emmanuelle occasionally accompanies Paul to assignments and helps him gather his equipment and keep the books, she mostly works the public relations side of the business.

As an account executive for Hastings and Pleadwell: A Communication Company in Honolulu, Emmanuelle specializes in advertising. In her off time, she applies her public-relations skills to growing their business.

At first, they started by picking up other military families as residential clients. Soon after, they built their commercial business. Clean Sewer Lines and Hoku Express serve as their anchor clients. However, the couple also works with Aloha Termite, Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions, 1-800-Got Junk and other businesses that must maintain work cars to provide their services.

"The commercial sector is our busiest side," Paul said. "Businesses really see the benefit of having us on-site to service their vehicles so that they aren't paying their personnel to go someplace and wait."

Sailor applies the same work ethic that he developed during his stint in the military to his business, he said.

"We answer the phone 24/7 and we don't take days off," Paul said. "Whatever the customer needs, that's what we do."

Emmanuelle said that although they work grueling hours, she does not mind.

"We just enjoy spending the time together," she said.