Editor’s Note: The following interview was done by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives.
Roberto Soto, owner of Omega Auto Repair LLC, came to the United States from Piedras Negras, Mexico and is now a United States citizen and business owner in Whitewater.
Roberto first moved to Texas where he remembers being bussed as a migrant worker to what was then Larson Company in Fort Atkinson. He canned corn and carrots and worked a 10-month contract before he returned to Texas each year.
Roberto fell in love with Wisconsin, and met his wife in Fort Atkinson so he decided to stay. Hard work is key for Roberto. He started out at Generac as first a line-worker and then progressed to operator-three. In addition, he worked on car brakes for people on the side. He also worked at Coburn Company. But his love of cars began with his work at Kusel Auto Repair in Watertown.
He bought what is now Omega Auto Repair from Donna Henry in 2021. He specializes in electrical trouble-shooting and light mechanical work. “I do work for three different shops in town that can’t do electrical. I consider myself a technician. I can do mechanical, but I specialize in electrical,” said Roberto.
“Whitewater is one of the most beautiful towns I’ve been in. I’ve lived in three different countries, and what I like most (about Whitewater) is the people. People here remember their grandpa who did not speak English because he came from another country. They have decency and care for other people,” he said. “I was born in the wrong country (Mexico). I’ve always wanted to come to the United States,” he said.
Roberto said, “Whitewater is a good place to raise a family.” Three of his children are grown, and one attends school in Whitewater. “I feel safe in Whitewater. The majority of immigrants are hardworking,” he said.
Roberto learned English in Mexico. He said, “I was not a good student in any class except English class. I was top of the English class.” His goal at the time was to speak English well so he could fulfill his dream of living in the U.S.
Roberto and his wife have raised two daughters and two sons with careers in nursing, mechanical engineering and computer science. Roberto went to school until 9th grade, and he says, “I am very proud of my children. Sometimes I don’t understand how they got so smart because I wasn’t a good student.” Roberto is self-taught.
About his business, Roberto said, “I am very honest to the point that it hurts. People who bring cars here like how I explain what is wrong. I tell it like it is.” Sometimes that means letting people know that their repairs are not worth the price, and they should look instead at purchasing a new car. “I want to do a good job, and I make sure the job gets done right,” he said.
He also really appreciates the good Google reviews that describe how he works with customers like the following: “Roberto is super professional, and very reliable. I’ve been in there a few times, and he has fixed all of my issues with an affordable cost. Definitely my go to mechanic when I need something done. He tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Very quick and efficient.”
Roberto said, “I am here to help anybody who needs help repairing their car. I love working on cars and I love helping people get their cars fixed and on the way, I make money. It’s a good trade.”
