Meet the Hands That Fix Your Car: A Day in the Life of A Great Technician At Toole’s

Some people discover their calling later in life—but others grow up surrounded by it. At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos, one of those naturals is our technician, Kelby, whose path into the automotive world feels almost destined.

A Childhood Built on Curiosity and Craft

Kelby spent his early years in Hawaii and later on the San Francisco Peninsula, where he was always tinkering, building, or digging holes in the yard. His grandpa restored old cars and even built boats, while his dad kept his beloved Vanagon “Westie” and an old Ford Country Sedan running with plenty of weekend wrenching. Whether he knew it or not, Kelby was absorbing all of it.

But like many young gearheads, he also loved video games and drawing—interests that helped shape the creativity and precision he brings to every repair job today.

From Cupcake Jockey to Automotive Pro

After high school, Kelby enrolled in the automotive technician program at Skyline College, committing to a hands-on career that blended his love of problem-solving and working with mechanical systems. To pay the bills, he took a job at a local bakery as a self-proclaimed “cupcake jockey”—proof that even future master technicians start somewhere unexpected.

His first official step into the automotive world was as a lube tech at a dealership. Day after day, he found himself under an endless sea of Toyotas, gaining experience, speed, and confidence. Then he heard about a respected local independent shop—Toole’s Garage—thanks to a longtime family friend who had been a customer for years. After doing his research, Kelby picked up the phone and called Dave Toole directly… and the rest is history.

Growing Into the Big Jobs

When Kelby joined our San Carlos auto repair team, he started with routine maintenance services. But it didn’t take long for everyone to see that he had an appetite for the complex stuff—the jobs with a hundred tiny pieces and tight tolerances.

As most technicians know, building a career means investing in your tools. Kelby began assembling his collection, buying the specialty equipment needed to handle bigger, more advanced repairs. He shadowed our seasoned techs, tackled heavy jobs, and—like so many driven mechanics—enrolled himself in what he calls “YouTube University.”

Of course, he also took real professional training courses, expanding the most valuable tool in any technician’s toolbox: knowledge.

The Satisfying Symphony of Precision

Ask Kelby what he loves most, and you’ll get a clear answer:

 “The complex jobs. The ones where everything has to go back together just right.”

For him, the reward isn’t just the repair—it’s the moment the engine fires up and purrs perfectly, the proof that every step, every bolt, every adjustment was spot-on. That commitment to precision is exactly what makes him such a strong asset to Toole’s Garage and to our customers who rely on high-quality, trustworthy repair.

When he’s not under the hood, you’ll find him riding the backroads on his motorcycle or gaming online with his dad—who, fittingly, is a video game designer.

A True Part of the Toole’s Garage Family

Kelby brings humor, enthusiasm, and genuine passion to our shop every single day. He’s the type of technician who would probably still show up even if he won the lottery (though we’d tell him to at least take a long vacation first).

We’re proud to have technicians like Kelby on our team—people who not only keep cars safe and reliable, but also bring heart, personality, and professionalism to every customer who walks into our San Carlos shop.