About Me

I’m Tobey — I recently graduated near the top of my class from one of California’s top business schools. I’ve spent years immersed in Tesla’s world from every angle: as a student, investor, strategist, owner, and long-time Tesla enthusiast.

My business management experience runs deep, encompassing operations, finance, marketing, and consulting. I’ve led university consulting teams, helped turn around a franchise, and handled real-world business challenges. I also have multiple years of investing experience and a strong grasp of managerial economics — pricing, competition, market dynamics, and long-term value creation.

I love learning — whether it’s mastering a new tech tool, digging into Tesla’s product pipeline, or testing AI features in real life. Right now, I’m actively applying to roles in tech, sustainability, and EVs. Unless a better opportunity arises, I’ll be joining another Magnificent Seven company at the end of this summer.

📊 My Business Background

Throughout university, Tesla was my go-to case study. I wrote dozens of research papers and business reports, including a 40-page proposal for a Tesla Smart Home ecosystem that I actually sent to the board. I explored Tesla’s vertical integration, supply chain strategy, leadership model, and regulatory battles in detail.

From running P&L sheets to building growth plans, I’ve seen how theory meets reality. I’ve also studied Tesla’s financials and market positioning as both an academic and a long-term investor — a lens that keeps me grounded in truth, not hype.

🛠️ A Legacy of Cars

Cars run in my blood. My grandfather specialized in German cars — VW, Mercedes, Porsche — while my dad worked on everything else. They owned an auto repair shop in West LA for over 20 years, and I grew up hanging out there, absorbing it all.

I used to be obsessed with American muscle. My first car was a black 2010 Dodge Charger Rallye with bold yellow racing stripes and purple metallic flakes — it turned heads everywhere. For my 13th birthday, I convinced my dad to rent a Mustang 5.0 Convertible for the weekend. I lived for the rumble of an engine and raw horsepower.

Then Tesla changed the game. ⚡

🚀 My First Encounter with Tesla

In 2017, my friend’s mom showed up in a Tesla Model X 75D. The Falcon Wing doors and Summon Mode blew my mind. The instant acceleration was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I started asking every question imaginable:

• “Why Tesla?”
• “How does it work?”
• “What’s charging like?”
• “So… no engine or transmission?”

That moment sparked my obsession. 🔥

📚 From High School to Business School

In high school, I built a self-driving sim in Alice for my AP Computer Science Principles exam. I gave presentations arguing LiDAR was superior — quoting Elon’s “anyone relying on LiDAR is doomed” line and thinking he was nuts. As Tesla’s real-world AI matured, it became increasingly evident that the vision-based approach was not only effective but strategically superior — completely overturning my earlier understanding.

In university, Tesla became the backbone of my academic work. Professors encouraged it, and I ran with it — using Tesla to explore innovation, strategy, and economics through every lens.

• Vertical Integration — I analyzed how Tesla brought inputs closer to outputs: sourcing raw materials, producing battery cells, designing their own chips, and building their own factories. This reduced costs, increased control, and enabled faster scaling.
• Regulatory Hostility — I explored how Tesla faces political pushback despite leading the EV industry, including being excluded from the 2021 EV summit. I broke down how self-interested politicians, influenced by entrenched lobbying and legacy auto donors, distort fair competition to protect outdated business models.
• Flattened Management — I examined how Tesla intentionally flattened its organizational hierarchy to avoid the inefficiencies of traditional corporate structures. By removing unnecessary middle management and empowering small, agile teams, Tesla speeds up decision-making and innovation. Elon Musk plays a direct role in key divisions — including engineering, design, and software — allowing the company to iterate rapidly without layers of approvals. This structure fosters accountability, eliminates bottlenecks, and keeps Tesla operating with the urgency and focus of a startup, even at global scale.
• First-Mover Advantage — I studied how Tesla’s early bets on EVs, battery storage, and infrastructure (like Superchargers) created a lead that’s now impossible to replicate. Their ecosystem builds on itself — a strategic flywheel in action.

These weren’t just ideas — I wrote detailed reports, created forecasts, built presentations, and debated professors and fellow students using real data and firsthand insight as a Tesla owner and investor. Tesla wasn’t just my case study — it became my framework for understanding the future of business.

💰 Investing in Tesla

At 16, my dad opened a custodial brokerage account for me. I invested $1,500 into Tesla — buying 99 shares. He matched it, doubling my position. I never sold, and I’ve added more since. That one decision opened doors to everything from personal finance to long-term thinking. It changed my life.

🚙 Convincing My Family to Go Electric

When my mom’s BMW lease ended, I ran the numbers: rebates, gas savings, insurance. Nothing beat the Model 3. We test-drove the Audi A4, Lexus IS, Mercedes C-Class… but the Tesla blew them all away.

We ordered a Deep Blue Metallic Model 3 SR+ RWD in October 2020. Picked it up December 26 — one of the first 2021 models with chrome delete, heat pump, power trunk, new interior, and aero wheel upgrade. It was the ultimate holiday gift.

🌍 Life With Tesla

Over four years and 40,000 miles later, Tesla ownership has been remarkably smooth. Maintenance has been minimal — just cabin filter swaps, topping off washer fluid, a tire rotation, and recently replacing all four tires for the first time. We upgraded from the original Michelin Primacy MXM4s to a set of Hankook iON EVO tires, hoping to squeeze out a bit more efficiency.

Under warranty, Tesla also replaced a fender camera and some brightwork trim with no hassle. The only real expenses came from body shop incidents — including a $1,500 door ding dent and a $4,500 rear bumper repair from a hit-and-run. Both were caught in crystal-clear detail by Sentry Mode.

Sentry Mode didn’t just document what happened — it proved we weren’t at fault in either incident and saved us from paying our deductibles. It’s one of the most underrated features Tesla offers. 🛡️

✨ Getting My Own Dream Tesla

In August 2024, I sold my Dodge Charger Rallye privately, and by October, I took delivery of my dream car — a Quicksilver 2025 Model 3 LR RWD. According to my Tesla advisor, it was the very first 2025 delivery in California. I wasted no time adding a carbon fiber spoiler, XPEL XR Plus ceramic tints, custom floor mats, and a handful of other small mods to make it mine.

As exciting as the delivery was, it wasn’t perfect. The rear passenger window had a deep scratch, one of the aero wheel covers was scuffed badly, the windshield wipers weren’t dispensing washer fluid, and the passenger seat ventilation fan wasn’t working from day one. Mobile service took care of the scratched window, but that ended up introducing a new rattle along with a dent and some scratches on the door frame, which required additional repair. Tesla also replaced the scuffed aero cover right away and later replaced the defective seat fan completely. They even corrected the windshield wipers, which I feel are still dispensing too much washer fluid — though I’ve been told that’s normal due to how aerodynamic the car is.

Looking back, I was actually pretty thorough during the delivery and fortunate to catch the issues I did. That said, I probably should have rejected the car on the spot and waited for another one. But in the moment, I was too excited — it felt surreal to finally get my dream Tesla. Thankfully, Tesla resolved everything under warranty, and the car now looks and drives perfectly. It’s the best vehicle I’ve ever been in. My dad, the ultimate car guy, agrees.

My Model 3 in Photos

🏠 Charging, Solar & Tesla Insurance

We moved into a house with Tesla Solar and a Powerwall, and it’s been a game-changer. Our energy bills dropped significantly, and while we don’t generate enough for a surplus in the summer, we’re able to charge both cars using clean solar power, avoid outages, and save hundreds each month. Switching to Tesla Insurance also cut our premiums dramatically — with better coverage and lower cost compared to traditional insurers.

For my car, we installed a Tesla Wall Connector using referral credits and a $1,500 LADWP rebate — making the install basically free. It charges at 45 mph overnight, and we love waking up to a full battery every single morning. My mom’s Model 3 has been running great on a NEMA 14-50 outlet. We’ve only had to Supercharge on road trips — never for daily use.

📅 Tesla Journey Timeline

📰 Why I Built This Site

In early 2025, the anti-Tesla disinformation reached new levels. I’ve debated people on X and Reddit for years, but now I’m doing something bigger. This site is my passion project — a hub of truth, data, and firsthand EV knowledge. I want to make Tesla info accessible, accurate, and actually helpful.

Whether you’re a curious buyer, a Tesla hater, or just trying to get real answers — you’re welcome here. This site is for you.

Want to support my mission? Click here to help keep this site alive — and spread the truth. ⚡

Got questions? Want to submit a myth? Contact me here — I’ll hit you back with real answers, not PR spin.