Mobil Mark - Palm Coast Local Business Insider

Palm Coast Local Fifteenth Business Insider features Mark Granam with Mobil Mark. His journey from walking home-to-home, to now celebrating 20 years of serving locals with oil changes, maintenance and car repairs. We celebrate Mark and his family for your continued dedication to quality and excellence.

Mark's Story Begins Here 

How Mark Granam Built a Business—and a Life—on Grit, Grace, and Gratitude.

Before the wrenches, the shop bays, and the trusted name Mobil Mark became synonymous with quality automotive care in Flagler County, there was a young boy in Akron, Ohio, trying to make sense of a world that didn’t seem fair.

Mark Granam was just 13 years old when he faced a life-altering loss. His mother, who had been courageously battling cancer, lost that fight. It was a moment that shook the foundation of his world. The pain, confusion, and grief settled deep in his chest — and it didn’t go away. Mark was angry. Angry at the world, at life, at the injustice of it all. And as the years passed, that pain turned into rebellion.

Through his teenage years and into his early twenties, Mark walked a razor-thin line between right and wrong. Still carrying the hurt of that 13-year-old boy, he found himself on a path of destruction — testing limits, chasing distractions, and slowly unraveling. Everyone around him saw it. They understood where the pain came from — they had felt it too. But they also feared where it might lead.

Then came a moment that changed everything.

At 21 years old, Mark realized he was choosing the wrong path. Mark looked at his life and knew: this wasn’t what his mother would have wanted for him. More importantly, this wasn’t what he wanted for himself. He began to think differently, looking back he realized everything that had gone wrong was because of choices he had made, nobody else.

"I had to stop playing the victim,” he recalls. “I had to take back control or my life would keep spiraling."

And so he made a decision. The pain was still there, but the lens had shifted. It was no longer just about the loss of his mother — it was about rebuilding his future.
Brick by brick. Choice by choice, all while choosing to honor his mother through the 'life' she had given him.

A New Start, A Bold Move, A Life Found

Mark threw himself into something he always found comfort in: working with his hands, solving problems, and learning everything he could about cars. Born and raised in Akron, he graduated from Springfield High School in 1992 and began building his skills in the automotive world that kept him out of trouble during his early days.
Later, Mark would eventually earn his ASE certifications and then pursude his Master Technician credentials.

Through this choice of change Mark started to notice something. Value and knowledge. Others started to look to him for help and advice on their vehicles. It was a new perspective on himself that someone you knew, and who knew you asked for your help instead of looking away, turning aside or thinking you're a lost cause.
Mark liked it.
He began to thrive.
He wanted more of that feeling, and he found it. 

A Leap of Faith to Palm Coast

The journey to Palm Coast wasn’t part of some elaborate business plan, it started with a simple visit. A close friend had purchased a home in the “F” Section of the Palm Harbor Neighborhood, and Mark and his wife decided to visit, then explore. What they found surprised them.

“There was just something about it,” Mark remembers. “The quiet, the way the trees framed the streets, the breeze off the Intracoastal: It felt peaceful. It felt like home before it even was.”

The community’s small-town warmth, the beauty of the natural landscape, and the sense of being surrounded by nature captured their hearts. It was a stark contrast to the fast pace and concrete of Ohio. They returned to Akron, but the idea stayed with them — quietly, persistently.

In 2004, with his wife and daughter by his side, Mark made another life-changing decision: he moved his family to Palm Coast, Florida.

 “It wasn’t just a career decision,” Mark says. “It was a life decision. We wanted to raise our family somewhere that felt grounded, safe, and full of opportunity. Palm Coast was all of that — and more.”

The original plan was to open a financial services office in Daytona Beach. But once again, unexpected delays in licensing pushed him off course.

With a family to support and time running out, Mark fell back on what he knew best — and what he could do with passion and integrity: fix cars and serve people.

From Pavement to Presence: The Building Blocks of Mobil Mark

In 2005, Mobil Mark was created — not with a flashy grand opening or investor backing, but with a man knocking on doors with tools and a truck across Flagler County, offering car repairs and oil changes in driveways and parking lots.

“You see, 20 years ago, Palm Coast wasn’t what it is today,” Mark shares. “You had to hustle for every customer, build your name through grit and excellence. One job at a time.”

Each oil change was a handshake. Each satisfied customer became another voice spreading the word. Mark wasn’t just fixing cars; he was proving himself to the community — one honest service call, or repair at a time.

His determination and integrity paid off. Over time, Mobil Mark grew from a mobile unit to a full-service, four-bay auto shop in Bunnell, while still offering on-the-go repairs through two mobile units. The model may have expanded, but the mission never changed: treat people like family, and do the job right.

Family, Faith, and Forward Motion

Today, at the heart of everything Mark does is his family and staff members.

His wife Vickie, his “beautiful, better half,” has been his partner for 36 years and his wife for 26. Twenty-one years ago, she took a leap of faith when Mark moved the family to Florida with no guarantees — just a vision. “She believed in me before I fully believed in myself,” he says. 

Together, they’ve raised three amazing daughters: Madison (22), Taylor (17), and Avery (12). “They are my reason, my drive,” Mark shares. “They keep me grounded and remind me daily why I do this.”

When he’s not in the shop or answering a roadside service call, you’ll likely find him riding his Harley through the backroads or polishing his GTO for a local car show — decompressing with the very machines that have helped build his world.

Driven to Grow, Built to Last

Except for his Section 609 Refrigerant Recovery & Recycling, his team is carrying the torch — earning ASE certifications and working toward full Master Technician status. Meanwhile, Mark himself has invested in leadership and development through a national consulting firm, DRIVE. He’s completed Effective Shop Owner, Professional Shop Owner, and Master Shop Owner training, plus certifications in customer service, financial management, and team development.

“We’re not just fixing vehicles,” he says. “We’re building people, building futures, and giving others the chance to rise in our community.”

Mobil Mark is deeply embedded in the Flagler County community — sponsoring youth sports, racing teams, school programs, and causes like Live Like Cameron. It’s not just about me anymore — it’s about the people around me and paying it forward. 

A Legacy in Motion

As Mobil Mark celebrates 20 years, the shop stands not just as a successful business — but as a symbol of what’s possible when you rise from the pain and use your story to serve others.

He could’ve let pain define him. But instead, he used it to shape a life filled with purpose, compassion, and resilience.

“I tell my daughters: life doesn’t always go how you planned — but it will go how you lead,” Mark says. “My job is to lead by example and heart, every single day.”

Palm Coast Local decided to ask Mark two questions we wanted to know and not just from a personal point of view with experience under his belt but the real challenges many business owners face no matter the industry. 

Q: What are some of the most challenging aspects of your business?

A: One of the biggest challenges in the automotive industry is fixing a vehicle without breaking the customer’s bank. There’s a balance between affordability and quality that we constantly have to manage. Another challenge is helping customers understand that just because you fix one issue, it doesn’t mean the entire vehicle is suddenly good as new. People are holding onto their cars much longer these days, and eventually, all parts wear out. It’s about educating and building trust with each customer.

Q: What are some of the most rewarding parts of being a business owner?

A: "The flexibility of time and money can definitely be a perk — but let’s be honest, it’s not all lollipops and rainbows. Being a business owner comes with a lot of mental, physical, and emotional stress that affects not just me, but my family too." Says Mark. "Still, what makes it all worth it is being in a position to give back. I love being able to help people in need, support youth programs, give to local nonprofits, and serve through my church, The Chapel. That kind of impact means everything to me.

In Mark's offtime he really enjoys spending time in Flagler Beach.  

I love supporting the small businesses throughout Flagler County. A couple of my go-to spots are Giovanni’s Pizza & Pasta in Flagler and Good Vibes Nutrition in Palm Coast. When I’m not taking my ‘65 GTO to local car shows and fundraisers, you’ll probably find me cruising the backroads on my Harley Road Glide. It’s my way to unwind, reflect, and stay connected to the community I love.

Mark Granam’s story isn’t just about repairing cars — it’s about repairing hope, repairing trust, and showing what’s possible when you lead with heart. From a young man navigating life’s hardest losses to a business owner helping others find their way, Mark has turned every challenge into a journey.

Through Mobil Mark, he’s created more than a successful shop — he’s built a space where integrity matters, people come first, and giving back is part of the mission. His faith, family, and unshakable work ethic continue to drive him forward, one customer, one conversation, and one act of kindness at a time.

As he continues to look toward the future, Mark isn’t focused on titles or accolades. He’s focused on impact — the kind that ripples through his family, his team, his church, and his community. Because for Mark, success isn’t just measured in miles or money — it’s measured in lives touched along the road.

And in that, he’s just getting started.
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If you know Mark or have done business with Mobil Mark, leave him a 'shout out' in the comment section below. No registration required, just leave a name and email for follow up and verification.

You can find Mobil Mark Business Listing On PalmCoastLocal.com anytime by using the search feature, then calling with a tap of your finger. Palm Coast Local wishes Mark, his family and staff continued success. We'll keep watching you make your impact here in our community.