A Little Positive Energy Goes a Long Way in West Memphis

A little good energy will make you turn the car all the way around.

That’s exactly what happened when I drove past Take 5 Oil Change on Missouri Street in West Memphis. Deion and Kortland were outside holding signs, smiling, laughing, and looking like they were enjoying their day. Their energy caught my attention, and then I remembered: I actually did need an oil change. (Let's not talk about how long I've been putting it off!)

So I turned around and pulled right in.

In a community like West Memphis, where so much of daily life happens behind the wheel, keeping your car running is part of keeping everything else moving. Between getting to work, taking children to school, running errands, and heading across the river, car maintenance deserves a place on the calendar. Mine just happened to get scheduled by two friendly faces on the side of the road.

Inside, Deion, Devin, and Kortland kept that same welcoming energy going. The team got to work, and my oil change was handled in about 10 minutes.

Now, could I have been back on the road that quickly? Absolutely. But if you know me, you already know I had to get to talking. I wanted to learn a little more about the people behind those smiles.

The People Behind the Service

What stood out during our conversation was how Deion talked about his team.

As a young manager in West Memphis, he’s thinking about how to run an efficient shop while supporting the people working alongside him. He spoke about the younger students they employ and his interest in helping them succeed. I appreciated hearing that concern for their growth come through in our conversation.

Those everyday interactions are part of how I get to know a community. I pay attention to how people welcome a stranger, how they speak about their coworkers, and what they take pride in. During this visit, I got to see a team working together and hear a manager talk about the responsibility he feels toward the people he leads.

I love meeting folks who care about running a smooth business and giving back through the opportunities they create for others. It gave me something to appreciate long after the oil change was finished.

Finding Your Place in a New Community

Relocating involves plenty of big decisions, but settling in also happens through smaller discoveries: a favorite breakfast spot, a familiar face at a local business, or a conversation you weren’t expecting to have.

As a single mom, I know moving means rebuilding your list of providers - from schools and healthcare to someone who can help keep your car running. Finding those places takes time. On this particular day, a little roadside enthusiasm made the search easier.

If you’re getting settled in the area - or you’ve been here for years and your maintenance reminder is trying to get your attention - go see Deion, Devin, and Kortland at Take 5 Oil Change, 1521 Missouri Street in West Memphis.

Tell them Sweet P. sent you. And if you stay longer than 10 minutes because you got to talking, I understand.