On this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, host Kaylee Felio sits down with Nos Saleh, Team Lead Technician at Mercedes-Benz of Music City. His journey from cleaning shop floors to leading one of the highest-performing service teams in the dealership is nothing short of inspiring.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to grow into a leadership role in fixed ops—or how to keep the fire lit as a technician—this episode delivers.

A Humble Start, Backed by Family and Grit

Nos didn’t follow a traditional path into the industry. His journey started with his father—a Kurdish immigrant who worked at Walmart to support their family—and a childhood spent tinkering with cars at home. With encouragement from his dad, Nos landed a floor-cleaning job at a local mom-and-pop shop at 16. But he had other plans.

“I’d sneak over to the techs and ask, ‘Do you need a hand?’ That’s where it really started.”

After high school, he entered a two-year automotive tech program through Tennessee’s TCAT system. Despite limited resources and outdated vehicles, Nos soaked up every bit of experience he could—especially from one passionate electrical instructor who pushed the class to do more with less.

From Trucks to Mercedes: Pursuing the Right Fit

Nos’s first official job was working on Freightliners, but it wasn’t long before he realized heavy-duty wasn’t for him. Encouraged by a friend and his school instructor’s advice that Daimler had the best training, he applied to Mercedes-Benz of Music City—a dealership he literally walked into off the highway.

Persistence paid off.

“I followed up for three months. I’d call. I’d show up. I wanted it bad. Finally, they hired me.”

He started in the Express department, determined to stand out. From cleaning sinks to hustling through oil changes, Nos quickly became known for his relentless drive—and racked up 86 flat-rate hours in Express, rivaling mainline techs.

Leveling Up: From Technician to Team Leader

Eventually, Nos set his sights on Mercedes-Benz DRIVE, the brand’s elite technical training program. Even though it meant leaving home and family for the first time, he embraced the challenge—and everything that came with it, including Zoom classes during COVID and a tight-knit support system of classmates who cooked meals and studied together.

“It was one of the best times of my life—challenging, but I learned so much.”

Back at the dealership, Nos kept pushing. He shadowed veteran techs, carried a notebook everywhere, and took every opportunity to learn.

In just three months as a full technician, he clocked 123 hours in a single pay period. A month later, he broke the shop record with 402 hours in March—the first to hit that number and a major catalyst for raising the bar across the entire shop.

Leadership in Action: Building a Team Like a Coach

When Nos became a Team Leader, he carried the same mindset into his new role. He didn’t just fix cars—he developed people. With a team of mostly green techs, he leaned into mentorship, structure, and accountability.

“I treat it like football. If one player doesn’t do his part, the whole team suffers. We all have to train, execute, and help each other.”

His leadership expanded further when he was chosen as a Service Your Way Champion—a Mercedes-Benz program typically reserved for managers. At a training event filled with GMs and Service Directors, Nos was the only technician present.

“They asked what I was doing there. I told them—I guess they saw something in me.”

That experience fueled even more change back home. Nos returned to the dealership armed with ideas: customer video inspections, mobile service vans, internal efficiencies—and he pitched them all to his GM. To his surprise, they listened.

MyKarma Competition Winner: Leading by Example

When MyKarma launched a nationwide video inspection competition, Nos almost didn’t enter. It wasn’t until his peers and managers pushed him that he submitted a video.

He won.

Out of 400 participating dealerships, he was one of five national winners—further proof that when a technician leads with initiative, everyone takes notice.

“It gave the team more buy-in. I didn’t even realize how much that inspired others until the videos became second nature around here.”

What’s Next for Nos?

Despite already achieving what many would consider a dream role, Nos is far from done. He’s currently working toward his Master Certification and expanding his hybrid/electric vehicle expertise.

Eventually, he sees himself stepping into management—not for the title, but to have a bigger impact.

“They say I’m not ready yet. That’s fine. I’m still learning. But I want to be in a position where I can lead the right way—and keep pushing this shop forward.”

Why His Story Matters

Nos is a reminder that great technicians don’t just turn wrenches—they lead, mentor, innovate, and drive performance across the entire dealership. From sweeping floors to smashing performance records, his story proves that hard work, humility, and heart still matter in this industry.

“You’re in control of your own destiny. Even when others didn’t believe in me—I did.”

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

If you want to hear what true technician leadership looks like, this episode will motivate you to show up differently—whether you're in fixed ops, management, or just starting out.

▶️ Listen now on The PartsEdge Podcast https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Xr2q16uPTUb