Meet Berwyn’s Entrepreneurs: Jose Murillo of Xander Auto Shop

Name: Jose Murillo

Hometown: Morazan, Honduras

Current Residence: Berwyn, IL

About Jose: I was born in Honduras, but now enjoy living and working here in Berwyn. My life partner, Joey and I enjoy being part of Berwyn’s diverse community!  Growing up, I was very close to my grandma and to this day, I keep her very close to my heart because of all of the support and love she provided me. She taught me the values of hard work and honesty. I continue to work hard in my personal life and business to make her proud. Some of my hobbies include going to the gym, hitting the batting cages, watching bad reality TV, and enjoying a night out with friends.

The Business Side: After working for years as a mechanic on all types of vehicles and going to school to learn this great trade, I had the opportunity to begin my own business. I named my shop,  Xander Auto, after my godson. I’m very proud of my business because it truly is a family run and operated shop. While I focus on the hands-on mechanics of the shop, my life partner and now business partner Joey takes care of everything on the office side like the technology, bookkeeping and so much more. Thanks to our family, friends and the community, the business was able to come to life and grow. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of my family. We have a total of 6 employees, and we pride ourselves on our diverse areas of expertise in the auto field, including general auto maintenance, collision repair, routine maintenance like oil changes, and more. We even have a spray booth for spray paint jobs.

 

Why Berwyn?

I have lived in Berwyn for over 15 years and a lot of my family and friends live here too, so this was an obvious choice! Berwyn is a great community and we are glad to be a part of it as a business and as residents. We love all the community events that happen year-round and all the great local businesses that are full of character. I like that this community does not shy away from promoting its diversity. As a business owner, I think it’s important to embrace that. This past summer, we had a great opportunity to walk in the Pride Walk and support our community. We look forward to continuing to support these types of initiatives.

 

Describe yourself using 3 words.

Honest: I believe being honest is important in business as well as everyday life. Every relationship, whether personal or business, should be based on honesty.

Punctual: Time is valuable, and I believe it’s important to respect other people’s time, so showing up or being present when needed is a priority for me.

Caring: I like to think that I have a big heart and always try to make those I care about know that they are cared for and that I will be there for them.

What inspires you?

My Grandma will always inspire me. She taught me to be honest and have a great work ethic. Growing up with her as an example made me who I am today. I am also inspired by people who have a lot of ambition and drive to reach their goals.

Tell us something people might not know about you.

I love to play baseball but rarely have the chance to. I used to be on a local team here but unfortunately became too busy to keep at it. Maybe again someday soon! I also love those bad reality shows like the Housewives franchise. There is never a dull moment.

What movie best describes your life?

A friend of a friend made a movie a while ago called “En Algun Lugar”, which translates to “In Some Place”. I identify with that because I am an immigrant and came here to chase my dreams. Also, the movie was great!

If we were to hang out, what would we do?

We would probably start by picking a good place to eat, maybe go for some seafood or Mexican food. I do also enjoy cooking, so that’s always an option! Afterward, we would go somewhere and have a couple of drinks or go see a show. My favorite spot to go on the weekends is Cigars & Stripes. They always have something entertaining going on, and I like the laid-back atmosphere. I also enjoy going to street festivals as well!

Which place would you most like to visit and why?

I would love to visit Jerusalem. It would be cool to see the Holy Land and the birthplace of Jesus. Plus, there is so much history there that would be interesting to see and learn about.

Which person from history would you most like to meet?

I think it would be interesting to meet Thomas Edison because he invented a lot of things other than the light bulb. I would like to see what his thought process was behind his inventions. If not him, then it would be cool to meet Henry Ford and learn all about him and his thought process.

What gets you through a rough day?

After a long or rough day, I really just enjoy coming home, putting my feet up and watching a good movie or some of my favorite shows. I also enjoy naps when I can because that can help with a mental reset.