Faraz Saiyed: An Express Opportunity
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
FREMONT — Tired of long lines and poor service at the DMV, Faraz Saiyed was determined to find a better option. When he did, he couldn’t help but share it with others. “My business partner, Mohammed, and I did insurance before getting into this business,” he recounts. “One day, I went to the DMV to renew my car registration, only to the find the line was about five hours long. Plus, when it finally was my turn, the service was lousy. Mohammed had a similar experience and we were like, ‘There has to be a better way.’ We started looking into it and were surprised to find the DMV had a training program wherein one could actually become an independent DMV service provider. We knew it was a great opportunity, so we did the training and began offering this service to our insurance clients. After a while, we decided we should open our services to the public, so we started Sticker Quicker in 2015.”
Today, as chief operating officer of Sticker Quicker, Faraz says his favorite part of his job is exceeding his customers’ expectations. “A lot of times, new customers walk into our office with a frown because they’re expecting it to be like the DMV. However, by the time they leave, they’re usually smiling because of how simple and pleasant the experience was. You might say we’re the ‘brighter side of the DMV.’”
A resident of Mountain View (where he lives with his wife, Christa), Faraz expresses his appreciation for the diversity to be found in the Bay Area. “We have such a great melting pot here,” he affirms. “I’ve traveled all over the United States and nothing compares to it. I love being able to meet people from so many different backgrounds and learn about their cultures.”
Outside of work, Faraz engages in a wide range of pastimes, from outdoor activities to sports. “I enjoy hiking, biking, camping—anything to do with the outdoors,” he affirms. “I also love watching sports. Being from the Bay Area, I’m a big fan of the 49ers and Warriors.” Faraz also enjoys spending time with family (especially his nieces and nephews) and keeping tabs on the world of high tech. “I love technology, so I like to keep up with the latest developments in computing, virtual reality and other areas.”
In regard to his professional career, Faraz espouses the value of providing helpful expertise. “Besides making the DMV process as painless as possible, we want to be a resource of information for our customers,” he explains. “The DMV isn’t known for being responsive, so there are a lot of questions out there that go unanswered. Mohammed and I have taken the time to learn about our industry in order to provide our customers with the information they need.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Faraz replies that he wouldn’t. “I love my job too much. A lot of people wake up in the morning and think, ‘Oh God, I have to go to work,’ but for me it’s the opposite—I look forward to going into the office because I’m excited to help people and learn new things.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Lahore Karahi in San Francisco. I was raised on Indian and Pakistani food, and they have the best, most authentic Pakistani food I’ve ever had—other than my mom’s cooking, of course!
Q: Music or talk radio?
A: I like both, it just depends on my mood.
Q: Do you listen to any podcasts?
A: Yes. “StartUp” and “How I Built This” are my two favorites.
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Tea. In my culture, we have black tea with a little milk in it, and that’s my go-to.
Q: What were you most known for in high school?
A: Being a class clown and playing sports.
