Josh Hirahara
- Founder/CEO
- Gauge Automotive
School Information
School: Cal Poly, SLO
College Major: Other
Years at College Works: 2011
Career Information
Working For: Gauge Automotive
Title: Founder/CEO
Industry: Automotive
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Develop overall business strategy. Develop product requirements and oversee development. Capitalize the business. Sales and marketing.
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?Starting my own business.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting helped launch my career and learn a lot about myself while I was still early in my college career.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
College Works Painting allowed me to get any internship I wanted while I was in college and gave me a tougher skin when going after things that I want. I decided to start a company after graduating and College Works Painting definitely helped me learn a lot about myself to help me make that decision.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
There’s no substitute for hard work and perseverance.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
If you’re going to do something, especially something as difficult as College Works Painting, do it with full 100% commitment or don’t do it all.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
Get first hand industry experience so that you know the customers you are building the product for and selling to.
Last words of wisdom?
“You have to be able at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what you will become.”- Eric Thomas