Why Choose Cobra Automotive Designs

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  Being a manager can be one of the most rewarding, yet stressful roles you can take on. Some days, I feel like I’m on top of the world, and other days, it feels like I’m being crushed by it all. The responsibility of managing a team, each with their own personal lives and challenges, is not something to take lightly. It’s a constant reminder that leadership is about more than just making decisions—it’s about navigating the complexities of human experience.

I’ve never cared much about titles or positions. In fact, I wasn’t looking for this role when it was offered to me. I was content working behind the scenes, where no one knew who I was or what I did. But then my dear friend Bob, the owner of the company, saw something in me. As we grew, he shared his desire for me to help lead the company and expand the business. I was excited but had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Working with people to achieve a common goal is, in my opinion, one of the toughest challenges in life. Everyone has their own way of doing things, and more often than not, we find ourselves out of sync with each other. On top of that, we each juggle our own personal struggles—whether it’s bills, family issues, illness, or past traumas. And yet, as a manager, it’s my job to bring people together to move forward as a team.

Despite these challenges, my time as General Manager has brought out positive changes in me. Though those changes often came through difficult situations, I’ve learned to stay steady and focused as I climb this mountain. I’m not at the top yet, and truth be told, I don’t think the top is the ultimate goal. The real goal for me has become growth—personal growth, professional growth, and growth in my relationships with the people I work with.

I want to leave a positive imprint on those around me—not just as an employer, but as a person who genuinely cares about them. I want to build real, honest relationships where people feel valued and appreciated—not just as employees, clients, or vendors, but as individuals. It’s my desire for them to know, without a doubt, that I have their best interests at heart.

This journey of leadership has taken me back to when I first learned I was going to be a dad. That moment completely changed me—it revealed the areas in my life that needed work and pushed me to become a better man, not just for my wife and kids, but for my entire community.

I’ve learned that leadership, whether at home, at work, or in any other area of life, boils down to one word: service. True service isn’t just about doing things for others—it’s about being selfless in every way: mentally, socially, and even spiritually. It’s about caring more for the needs of others than for our own.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that maintaining this mindset is easier when everything is going smoothly. But when the stress hits and the friction builds, that’s when the real test comes. It’s in those moments that we need to stay calm, communicate clearly and respectfully, be humble, and remain accountable. It’s about seeing the situation through the eyes of the other person, thinking about their emotions rather than our own. And it’s about addressing the issue at hand, not attacking the person.

These are the moments that shape our relationships—not just in the heat of the conflict, but also in how we grow and develop together after the storm has passed.

I aspire to be a difference-maker in every area of my life—not just at work, but with my family, my friends, and the people I interact with every day. I’ve always told our clients and business partners that our mission is to help them succeed, and it’s not just a sales pitch. I truly want them to succeed, because if they do, so do we. If our employees succeed, so do we. If our relationships thrive, we all thrive.

When we shift our focus away from competing with others and instead compete with ourselves—striving to be better than we were yesterday—that’s when lasting change happens. It’s about continuous improvement, not perfection.

I don’t have all the answers, and I certainly don’t have my life figured out. But what I do know is this: I’ve made a commitment to myself to do whatever it takes to become a better person, both professionally and personally. It’s not always easy. There are times when it feels like I’m moving backward, or like I can’t catch a break. But I remain steadfast in my commitment, looking forward to the results it will bring, not only for me, but for those around me.

My goal is to be a dedicated leader who makes a real impact, even through small acts of service, words of encouragement, or simply by being a good listener. I may not have all the answers, and I certainly don’t have a solution to every problem. But what I do want to be is someone who helps improve the lives of others—even in the smallest way. I want to be the person who lifts others up and encourages them to move forward, making permanent, positive changes in their own lives.

In the end, I want to be all in. No half-measures.

- Edgar Santiago