Overcoming Adversity to Achieve Success – Terence’s Story
March 21, 2025Before Terence Grandy walked into Full Circle Auto Repair and Training, life was clouded in confusion. “I didn’t know what direction I was heading in… life looked like the prison of death,” he said.
But during his incarceration, he found a spark. Enrolled in an auto body training program at Maryland Correctional Training Center, his instructor noticed his talent. “He told me the Full Circle Training program was made for me,” Terence shared. That one pamphlet changed everything. When a former Vehicles for Change employee visited the facility and explained the wraparound support and opportunities, Terence committed fully.
He joined Full Circle Auto Training and earned 9 out of 10 ASE certifications. “I remember the first car I worked on—a Buick LeSabre. I changed the brakes, tires, and the oil. I wanted that car,” he said, grinning.
Terence didn’t stop at turning wrenches—he turned opportunity into enterprise. He launched his own mobile mechanic LLC, bringing his skills directly to customers in need. But his drive didn’t end there. As a true entrepreneur, he also created an online shop where he buys and sells a variety of products, using his eye for value and business instincts to grow multiple income streams. “Vehicles for Change believed in me. Their support—professional and personal—was everything.”
Terence now has a career working on Vehicles for Change Virtual Reality team, developing virtual reality training content, designing hands-on modules for brakes, oil changes, tire services, and even crafting his own ASE-style practice questions to help others succeed in certification. His work isn’t just business, it’s legacy building.
Terence says his family is proud. “They can’t believe the change. But it’s real—and I’m consistent. My kids have the kind of dad they can look up to now.”
Terence’s advice to incoming Full Circle Training students: “Don’t just train here. Study at home. Study before bed. Your brain holds onto that info while you sleep. That’s how you succeed.”
For more information on our virtual reality program, visit www.vfc-vr.org
