Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivan Colon.
Hi Ivan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ivan’s journey into the automotive world began long before IPS Tuned ever had a name. Having
spent nearly his entire life around cars, Ivan worked his way up through the dealership world and
became a Subaru Master Technician after years of hands-on experience. While working at a
Subaru dealership, his personal passion projects—especially his own WRX—began attracting
attention. In 2019, a chance encounter with a fellow enthusiast led to Ivan building an engine out of
his own home. When that customer insisted on putting a sticker on the car to represent the ‘shop’
that brought it back to life, IPS—Ivan’s Performance Shop—was born. What started as side work
quickly turned into a steady stream of referrals, builds, and performance modifications. As demand
grew, Ivan faced a choice: stay comfortable or take a leap of faith. In late 2019, he opened IPS as
an LLC and moved into a small shop, just months before the world shut down. Despite COVID,
extreme weather, regulatory changes, and economic uncertainty, IPS Tuned continued to grow.
Within five years, the business expanded from a $100,000 operation into a seven-figure
performance and tuning brand. Today, IPS Tuned specializes in custom tuning and performance
builds across Subaru, BMW, Porsche, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and exotic platforms, including
standalone ECUs like Haltech and ECU Master. Rooted in faith, craftsmanship, and personal
connection, IPS Tuned represents nearly two decades of experience—and a vision that continues
to grow faster than Ivan ever imagined.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Not even close. From the very beginning, the journey has been defined
by challenge after challenge. The moment Ivan turned in his dealership keys, he stepped into the
unknown with nothing but faith, vision, and determination. The first shop was barely over 1,000
square feet, uninsulated, and nearly unlivable. Every dollar went into rebuilding it by
hand—constructing a restroom, an office, and just enough infrastructure to operate. By February
2020, with savings depleted and income paused for months, the shop finally opened—only for the
world to shut down weeks later as COVID hit. That same year brought the birth of a child,
compounding both financial and emotional pressure. As the business grew, instability followed.
Landlords declined renewals, forcing rapid relocations. One move led to a remote shop in Celina,
Texas, accessible only by a dirt road—soon compounded by city construction that cut access
entirely. Mid-lease, Ivan was forced to relocate again, paying for two buildings at once and
ultimately investing over a quarter million dollars just to keep the business alive. At the same time,
Subaru—IPS Tuned’s foundational platform—discontinued key performance models, requiring a
complete pivot into new brands and markets. Personal challenges ran in parallel: expanding family
responsibilities, emotional strain, and major life transitions. Yet every setback forced growth,
reinvention, and resilience. IPS Tuned exists today not because the road was smooth, but because
each obstacle demanded adaptation—and each time, the business emerged stronger.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
IPS Tuned is a boutique, high-end automotive performance and service shop specializing in repair,
maintenance, modification, customization, and advanced tuning. From engine builds and
diagnostics to exterior transformations and fully tailored performance solutions, IPS Tuned operates
with the belief that no two cars—and no two drivers—are alike. The shop has developed deep
expertise across platforms including Porsche, Audi, Subaru, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, BMW, and
select exotics such as Lamborghini, while remaining capable of servicing and modifying virtually
any vehicle that comes through the door. What sets IPS Tuned apart is its deeply personal
approach. Every vehicle is built around the owner’s vision, driving style, and purpose—whether that
means daily drivability, track performance, or a refined balance of both. No car leaves the shop with
a generic setup: each build is intentional, precise, and unique to the individual behind the wheel.
Owner-operated and community-driven, IPS Tuned prides itself on turning ideas into reality and
creating lasting relationships through craftsmanship, honesty, and passion. At its core, the brand
represents the ability to take a dream—no matter how ambitious—and make it real.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
We are located in Ponder which is a very small rural town. Since it is a small town, the shop is hidden, with no drive by, walk ins. The location makes it exclusive to customers that know based on ads or word of mouth. The city is growing however, and we are very excited to see that! We will see a boom in houses soon that will ultimately bring more local customers!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ipstuned.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ipstuned/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nGodwtrust
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ipstuned
