The Story of Squirrel.
The Squirrel Concepts story is one that continues to write itself day after day. Our shop, as humble as it may be, is constantly evolving as we push ourselves to learn and do better with each and every project. Our roots begin in the form of 3 individuals, each unique in our own right but brought together by common principles, interests, and most importantly, values. Together we’ve been able to bring a variety of skills and perspectives to the table, all of which we’ve used as building blocks to navigate through life with a goal we’ve all found to have in common, doing what we love. That’s the key to our success, not only as a shop but as friends and partners that work together to provide the best service and attention to detail as possible in our craft. We don’t claim to be perfect. And we definitely don’t claim to know everything. Our claim is we’re just 3 guys with passion and drive, doing our best to navigate this venture the best we can, while hopefully, having a bit of fun along the way.
Like all good things, Squirrel started in the garage. Owning a shop may be new to us, but tinkering and working with our hands is something we’ve all loved since a young age. Mark grew up around it with his dad, a machinist and alcohol drag engine builder. Adam spent years in the pro bike racing scene, and I was building intricate RC cars since I was 8.
March of 2020, I had come home from a long stint abroad. I had spent 6 years chasing waves throughout Asia, apprenticing with a surfboard shaper, growing a bar/restaurant business, and building custom cafe racers on the side. Stuck at home due to COVID, I decided to break out my woodworking tools, a passion I had picked up during my time overseas. After just a few months, I had built 10 truck bed campers, 2 vans, and a couple trivial benches for Squirrels out of my parents garage. This eventually lead to the need for a shop and when my good friend Eric opened his doors to me at the warehouse in Long Beach, I didn’t hesitate. Although it felt like I had climbed the highest mountain at the time, with my biggest dreams coming true, in reality, this was only just the beginning.
Loose Keys Moto Culture was always about bringing people together. Centered around culture, music, art, and community, we brought people together from all walks of life, from all over the world.
Siargao Island, Philippines. 2016.
It wasn’t long until Mark, Adam, Eric and I would cross paths. It was the love for Toyota Trucks that brought us together, but as stated earlier, it was our mindset towards creating something unique, mastering a skill, and living on our own terms that would eventually make us partners in business. With new perspectives thrown into the mix, Squirrel Concepts, a name that never made sense from the start, grew into something it was always destined to be. A mash up of all things we love. Its mechanics, its art, its travel, its culture; its pushing your passions farther than anyone else has taken theirs.
As a shop, we stand by our core values as human beings. Treat people with respect and do right by others. This formula, when applied to the world of mechanics is one that’s rather simple. We use the highest quality parts, stay meticulous to the book, and remain honest and open in everything we do. With our individual experiences combined, we’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to automotive. Mark saw it first hand growing up in a shop environment, with his dad being a top class machinist for the majority of his youth. Mark knew the importance of quality and doing things properly from a young age. We now see that experience carried into our space time and time again. On the other hand, I remember taking my project cars to shops in my less experienced days, bearing frustrations in not knowing what work was being performed and simply not being educated enough to know where to begin. I’ve been in the shoes of so many people taking their cars in for service, knowing first hand how intimidating it can be. Adam, grew up in a world that forced him to make the most of everything he had. He understood the value of a dollar from a young age, earning every bit of what he has today. Adam now owns more rare Toyota trucks than any of us but he didn’t take a single handout getting there. He knows what to look for and how to make a deal, but more importantly, how to navigate that tricky game with honesty, compassion, and respect.
What we put into the world starts on the ground with us as a team. Our mutual dedication to quality ensures we triple check each others work, sign off on decisions as a group, and keep our customers best interests in line. The space we’ve created amongst each other to voice concerns, talk about issues, and reach the best possible outcome keeps the vision that is Squirrel Concepts straight and true. As a shop, we’ve kept our past experiences in mind, doing our best to make your time here the most enriching it can be. We make a huge effort to teach and educate clients on the work being done to their vehicle. We save all the old parts removed in our process so you can be reassured that work has been completed properly and in full. We always spend the extra time, walking you through the maintenance process, and staying available with the hopes that one day, you’ll be turning wrenches yourself in the driveway. We’re here to learn, staying humble in the process. We’re here to teach, realizing that this passion of ours is better shared than sheltered. And finally, we’re here to do things right, the way we’ve always been taught and the way it always should be.
Meet the Team
Born and raised in Pasadena CA, I was very lucky to grow up in a supportive family that constantly fueled my passions and interests. I started working with mechanics and tools from a young age and by high school I was tearing cars apart in the driveway. I left to New York City for college and during my time there, discovered a world outside the bubble of suburbia in which I grew up, one with much more grit and grind than what I was ever used to. I loved it. Despite my supportive backing, I started taking every labor job I could find. Concrete work during LA summers, demolition in New York City apartments, and I even delivered pizzas through the coldest of winters. I loved the grind, but even more so, I loved the people. Real people with real lives. One thing’s for sure, I hated school. Although I finished, I worked my ass off in college and when it came time to walk across that stage for a diploma, I happily said fuck you, got on a plane, and didn’t look back for years. My experiences through school and abroad shaped me into who I am today. I know the value of a dollar, but I’ve seen enough to know some things are more important. I’ve had dreams of a big clean shop with fancy tools but can never forget the old Indonesian man, building his bamboo house with a rusty hammer and saw. I’ll kick and scream my way to the bar, but having a cold one after work with our unhoused neighbors, I’m fully content. I know Mark and Adam will agree, we don’t need lavish lives or high priced Land Cruisers. Living simple with good people around, that’s our key to happiness.
V.
Adam.
Born and raised in the Pacific NW, I spent a lot of time out doors growing up. Mountain biking, skate boarding, baseball, and working on cars with my dad were a lot of the things that occupied my time when I was younger. Growing up my dad was a machinist and master mechanic. I started working with him in the garage when I was able to see into the engine bay with a step stool. This is where I picked up my OCD approach to mechanics. Do it right the first time and honesty in mechanics was taught to me at a young age. By the age of 12 I was pulling rear ends and transmissions. When I left my hometown to go to college I took a break from wrenching on cars for quite a few years. After graduating college with a fine arts degree I switched gears into brewing beer for about 10 years, which brought me to southern California 7 years ago. During the pandemic I fell back in love with the outdoors and mechanics. This is when I decided to purchase Lady my 87 4Runner. She changed my life. I met V and Adam through mutual friends and a shared love for Toyota’s. Its wild to see the progress Squirrel has had and has been an amazing journey reconnecting to my roots in the garage with my dad. We hope to share our passion of the adventure and honesty in our mechanics over a beer one day… Cheers.
The boys have been busy! We’ll get their bios up soon!
Mark.
Home, for now. 1565 Magnolia Ave. Long Beach, CA. Everything we’ve built wouldn’t be possible without friends that have given us a hand from the start. A major thank you to Eric for opening these shop doors to a couple kids with passion, and the entire Long Beach community for being there to support us from the very beginning. You guys keep us going strong!
Squirrel undoubtedly comes from humble beginnings. We started with one unit and a few months later snagged the 2nd, cut a hole in the wall and called it a day. The space wasn’t designed to be a garage, there’s no lift inside, and we still mostly wrench on the floor. This hasn’t stopped us from doing everything we’ve accomplished so far and more. We’re making the most of what we have, taking things day by day, and staying focused on what’s important. Doing good work.
Sure, we have big dreams. That compound style garage, shared space with friends, and even a little Thai restaurant attached wouldn’t be too bad. But we know more than anyone, all good things take time. We don’t doubt we’ll be there one day. Until then, you know where to find us!
The Shop
