Title with a smile

Business gets motorists up to speed with MVD

Providing her customers with fast, friendly service keeps Gloria Guerra-Leyva on her toes and loving what she does.

And as president of Third Party MVS, an authorized third party provider for the Motor Vehicles Division (MVD), Leyva and her staff are keeping busy with the growing demands of the business.

With three Valley locations, Third Party MVS offers identical services to the MVD, with the exception of issuing drivers licenses. Services provided include vehicle titles, registrations, renewals, inspection, motor vehicle and driving records, license plates and permits.

And when it comes to helping her customers, Levya’s mission is quite clear.

“My customers no longer have to take a day off from work and wait endless hours at the MVD for titles and registrations,” she says. “My business is here to help the public handle their motor vehicle transactions in a more efficient manner, at reasonable hours and rates.”

With a desire to continue to grow and expand her business, Levya recalls the beginnings that led her to where she’s at today.

Starting off in the cash checking business in 1985, it wasn’t long before Levya became bored and decided she needed a new challenge. She teamed up with a business partner in 1999 to begin their own venture. Realizing that the demand for title and registration services was large, Levya and her partner opened a third party MVD business in a small Van Buren shopping plaza in Phoenix.

This location started with humble beginnings, and the two teller windows inside the store were worked by Levya, her husband David, and daughter Lucia.

And Levya soon found there were many challenges when trying to prove her business successful.

“My biggest challenge was being a Hispanic woman and trying to succeed in a predominantly male business…at times I would find myself -- and still find myself today -- having to exercise and prove my knowledge of the business to earn respect.” 

Levya has a solid track record of staying focused on success.  

In April of 2003, Levya and her partner opened a second store in Mesa, which began with seven windows. The location soon flourished and expanded to 15 windows. After deciding to part ways with her partner at the Van Buren site the next year, Levya concentrated on the Mesa location.

Today, Leyva continues to grow her business and has 36 employees throughout the three locations.

She says she’s proud of what her business can offer her customers.

“We offer friendly service, with a 10-minute wait or less. Customers can complete their transactions at our offices on their lunch hour, on the weekends, or after work until 9 p.m.” 

The 51-year-old Levya began from a humble beginning and learned from a young age the value of working hard.

Born in Laredo, Texas, she’s the youngest of 15 siblings. The daughter to migrant working parents, Levya and family would often travel to other states during the summers to help her parents work in the fields.

From weeding sugar beets to picking cucumbers, onions and potatoes, Levya did this manual labor well into her teens.

And although Levya did not graduate from high school, she says she eventually went back to school, where she earned her general education diploma (GED).

“Everything I know has been from learning hands-on…I continually strive to learn something new everyday so I can stay on top of my game.”

And in order to be the best, Levya says she’s implemented a somewhat simple, but effective way of thinking.

“Always go forward and never look back…always keep your priorities in order and more importantly, don’t ever lose sight of who you are.”