From $6/Hour to 9 Locations: Building Premier Oil Change | Matt Webb

Redding thrives because of people who take risks, build things from the ground up, and choose to invest in this community—and this week on All Redding, Griff Tonkin sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Matt Webb. For the past 20 years, Matt has been quietly building one of Northern California's most recognizable service businesses. From changing his first oil at $6 an hour in Santa Rosa to founding Premier Oil Change & Car Wash and growing it to nine locations across California and Oregon, Matt shares what it really takes to build a business that lasts—and the faith, sacrifice, and mentorship required along the way. In this episode, Matt reflects on joining the Marine Corps at 17, tapping the equity in his house to open his first store, moving his young family to Redding sight unseen, and building a company culture rooted in relationships, meaning, and creating real opportunities for the people who work there. They also dig into scaling a business past the mom-and-pop stage, the reality of running a highly regulated business in California, and why he still believes Redding is worth investing in. They talk about: 🛠️ Growing up in Santa Rosa and joining the Marine Corps at 17 ⛽ Starting at $6/hour and working his way up to VP of Operations 🏡 Mortgaging the house to buy his first store in Eureka 🚗 Moving to Redding on a hunch after a February drive down Deschutes Road 📈 The 20-year build from one store to nine locations 🤝 Why relationships and mentorship changed everything for him 👥 Creating real estate ownership opportunities for long-term employees ⚖️ The realities of running a highly regulated business in California 🌄 Why he wants Premier's headquarters to stay right here in Redding Whether you're an entrepreneur, an employee dreaming about your own shot, or someone who just loves seeing local businesses thrive, Matt's story is a reminder that lasting businesses aren't built overnight—they're built through faith, sacrifice, good people, and the willingness to be uncomfortable long enough for it to pay off. 👍 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment: What's a local business in Redding that's made a difference in your life? ⏱ CHAPTERS: 0:00 Welcome to All Redding 0:24 Meet Matt Webb 1:18 Growing Up in Santa Rosa 1:53 Joining the Marine Corps at 17 7:45 Marine Corps Training & Becoming a Mechanic 11:56 Enrolling in College & Landing the First Oil Change Job 17:11 Ten Years of Working Up Through the Ranks 20:00 Rich Dad, Poor Dad & the Entrepreneurial Itch 21:00 Starting a Wine Tour Business on the Side 23:28 Buying the First Store in Eureka 25:16 Leaning on Faith Through Big Risks 27:55 The Sacrifice of Starting a Business with a Young Family 29:34 Discovering Palo Cedro & Moving to Redding 33:59 Building the Lake Boulevard Flagship 40:22 Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable 41:19 Finding Mentors & Building Peer Groups 46:21 Learning to Scale a Business 51:38 Premier's Core Values 55:36 Locations Six Through Nine & What's Next 1:01:38 Running a Highly Regulated Business in California 1:09:19 Life-Changing Opportunities for the Team 1:13:16 Hopes for the Future 1:17:52 Final Thoughts 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST — MATT WEBB   / premieroilchange   Matt Webb is the founder and owner/operator of Premier Oil Change & Car Wash, a family-run business he started 20 years ago and has grown to nine locations across California and Oregon, with a tenth on the way in Red Bluff. A Santa Rosa native and Marine Corps veteran, Matt started in the industry at 19 washing windows and checking tires for $6 an hour before working his way up to Vice President of Operations—then leaving to build something of his own. Today, Premier employs more than 110 people and is built around core values Matt sums up in the company's name: Proficiency, Respect, Excellence, Meaning, Integrity, Enthusiasm, and Relationships. Beyond the business, Matt is a husband, father of three, youth sports coach, and an active voice in his industry, serving on a national government affairs committee and advising the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. 👤 ABOUT THE HOST — GRIFFITH TONKIN   / arthoferandtonkin   Griffith Tonkin is a Shasta County-born attorney, partner at Arthofer & Tonkin Law Offices, and longtime community leader dedicated to justice, mentorship, and service. Deeply rooted in the North State, Griff is active in local youth and civic work, coaching, and building relationships that strengthen the community he grew up in. He brings a grounded, conversational approach to All Redding—drawing out the stories, decisions, and faith journeys of the people quietly shaping this region. 🌲 ABOUT ALL REDDING AllRedding.com is your local online source for all things Redding and the surrounding areas. Our goal is to connect people with businesses, events, and stories that make our community a place we're proud to call home. All Redding Explore Your City. Live Local. 🌐 www.allredding.com