Last week we visited ZZ Diesel, where owner Jacob Zody shared his entrepreneurial journey with us.

Jake’s path started at Nashville Auto Diesel College, followed by studies at Purdue University. While in college, he was already working on cars for others, a side hustle that hinted at the business he would one day build. In 2012, that vision grew into ZZ Diesel, a shop focused exclusively on pickup trucks.

💡 “It’s all about being unique. You’ll always have competition.”

Those lessons came to life as Jake described how ZZ Diesel recently secured one of only three large government grants. The funding will help launch a brand-new manufacturing system, set to be in place next year.

💡 “Never think you can’t do something.”

From mowing yards and growing/selling giant pumpkins to running a diesel performance business, Jake’s story shows how an entrepreneurial mindset starts early and grows with persistence, risk-taking, and vision.

We left inspired by his reminder that being different is often the key to standing out. And of course our visit was completed with some company from the friendly ZZ Diesel pups🐾