The story behind My Auto Advocate
Why I created My Auto Advocate
For more than 30 years, I had the privilege of building a career inside the automotive industry. I learned how dealerships operate, how financing works, how lenders evaluate applications, how trade values are determined, and how every piece of a vehicle transaction comes together.
But the greatest lesson I learned had very little to do with cars.
Buying a vehicle has never been just about transportation. It's about a family trying to stay within a budget, parents choosing a safe vehicle for their children, retirees making an important financial decision, business owners investing in their livelihood, or an automotive enthusiast finally purchasing the vehicle they've dreamed about for years. Behind every vehicle is a story, and behind every signature is a person hoping they're making the right decision.
When I stepped away from the dealership in 2025, I wasn't walking away from the automotive industry. I was walking toward a new purpose.
Not long after, something unexpected happened. My phone started ringing. Former customers, family members, friends, coworkers, and even people I had never met were reaching out with the same question:
"Santos, can you take a look at this before I sign?"
They weren't asking me to negotiate for them or fight with the dealership. They simply wanted someone they trusted to explain the numbers, review the financing, compare their options, and help them understand exactly what they were agreeing to before signing one of the biggest financial commitments most families ever make.
That's when I realized people weren't just looking for advice.
They were looking for confidence.
That realization became the foundation of My Auto Advocate.
This journey has also become deeply personal. Over the past year, I became the proud grandfather of four amazing boys. Around that same time, my brother began the toughest fight of his life after being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Watching him face each day with courage, faith, and purpose has reminded me that tomorrow is never guaranteed — and that purpose isn't something we wait to discover someday. It's something we choose to live every day.
One part of this mission is especially close to my heart: helping Latino families. Speaking Spanish is important, but understanding our culture, our values, and the importance of family is just as meaningful. For many of us, buying a vehicle isn't an individual decision — it's a family decision. Being able to guide those conversations in both English and Spanish is one of the greatest privileges of my work.
My Auto Advocate isn't anti-dealership. After spending more than three decades inside the automotive industry, I know firsthand that there are countless professionals who genuinely care about their customers. My goal is to bridge the gap between consumers and dealerships through education, transparency, and understanding.
I created My Auto Advocate to educate, explain, simplify, and advocate — so that every buyer can make an informed decision with confidence.
Don't Buy a Car Alone.
No compre un carro solo.
You have a friend in the car business.