Army veteran Rashard Smothers opened 5 Star Mobile Lube in July bringing automotive convenience to East Texas.

A new mobile lube business is bringing the convenience of oil changes and more straight to its customers.

5 Star Mobile Lube, owned by Rashard Smothers, opened in July and also offers general maintenance, roadside assistance, and more.

Smothers said he has always been interested in this type of work and after finding himself unemployed earlier this year, he decided to open his own business doing what he loves.

“I have always wanted my own ‘shop’ since graduating high school. I joined the military in hopes of gaining professional experience and an education. As for many people in life, things change, but I always had my eye on the goal in some capacity,” he said. “I found myself unemployed for the last time and finally decided to dive head first into making my dream become reality. I feel more passionate than ever about what lies ahead.”

Smothers said he hopes to change the perception of ‘mobile mechanics’ and renew the professionalism the industry has lost over the years.

“I would like to change the perception of those people who call upon mobile mechanics, and those who may be skeptical about the service. This profession takes a lot of skill and continued learning,” he said. “I intend for my work to give people a different avenue for their vehicle needs and I promote professionalism and values that our industry seems to have lost over the many years.”

Smothers, an Army veteran who is Automotive Service Excellence Certified, said he stands behind his work and is ready to serve the East Texas area.

“I have over seven years of professional experience in the automotive industry. My mission is to provide dealership and leading independent shop level service along with the convenience of a mobile shop,” he said. “I stand behind my work and put my personal touch, attention to detail, and pride into every repair. I take relief from the stress of having a broken down vehicle and also the burden of maintaining a vehicle off the shoulders of my customers.”

“I’m here to serve my community with the utmost respect,” Smothers added.

Smothers said after being used to working more hours than most, he feels the first month and half of his business has been a little slower but feels he is on the right path.

“I feel as though the business has started out slow from having worked 60-plus hours a week for the last two years but I am fully trusting in God and my faith that it will work in my favor with a little patience and diligence,” he said.

Starting his own business has given him freedom and peace, he said.

“I feel more free than I ever have in my entire life. I know from being exposed to several different perspectives that if you don’t walk in your purpose, you will have a huge burden to carry with you every day of your life,” Smothers said. “That burden has been lifted and I feel the wind behind my back where there was once a wall.”

Smothers said he services Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, Bullard, Whitehouse, Lindale and “all the little places in between” and hopes to soon add a shop to perform bigger jobs in addition to his mobile business.

5 Star Mobile Lube hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit the 5 Star Mobile Lube Facebook page or call 903-707-5303.