‘Always ask questions’: Des Batiste’s upward journey with Take 5 Oil Change
As part of her Pit Tech to President series, Take 5's Des Batiste shares her journey from lube technician to district manager.
When Des Batiste stepped into her first role as a lube technician at Take 5 Oil Change, her only goal was earning a paycheck to support her family.
With little knowledge about cars, she figured she wouldn’t last long at Take 5, but the lessons this job taught Des about her own ability to lead proved that assumption wrong.
Fast forward ten years, and Des now serves as district manager for the Lafayette district, overseeing 13 shops. Her leap from technician to leadership is a testament to what’s possible when you work hard and never give up.
A hard worker finds her footing
After graduating high school in 2009, Des bounced between various jobs in industries ranging from fast food to aerospace.
“I’m someone who likes the challenge of something new,” Des said.
That passion for challenges led her to take the advice of a family member who recommended applying for a job at Take 5. She had no experience and recalled not even knowing how to change her own oil. But she did know how to work hard and follow a process. Des was drawn to the fast pace and strong team culture at Take 5. Des quickly realized that what started as a temporary job could be a launching pad to something more gratifying.
“I was always watching, always asking questions,” she said. “I just wanted to learn everything.”
Within a year, this curiosity and drive earned Des a promotion to assistant manager at a shop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With no prior management experience, she faced many challenges during this time—but the opportunity to grow ultimately taught her how to problem-solve and work with the tools she brought to the position.
Realizing her professional potential
Even as she mastered how to service vehicles and manage a team, Des had more to learn about how to carry herself in a professional environment.
“My work ethic was always strong, but I didn't know how to carry myself professionally,” she explained. “I had several people tell me, ‘You have potential, but if you don’t change your mindset and how you carry yourself, you're not going to make it far in this company.’”
She credits one person in particular for helping her reach her potential—store manager Matthew Brooks. After moving to Lafayette, where she worked as an assistant manager under Brooks, Des began to flourish.
“He took me under his wing and taught me everything,” Des said. “He molded me and showed me how the professional side of how the Take 5 business works.”
In 2017, within six months of working with Brooks, Des was promoted to shop manager. In this role, she honed her leadership style, which is rooted in empathy and high expectations.
“I’m big on accountability, but I also believe in uplifting people,” she said. “I want my people to know I care about them as people first, not just as employees.”
Another cornerstone of her approach is leading by example. She’s never been afraid to jump in and work side-by-side in the pit, which builds trust among her team and generates results for the shop—and her career. In December 2024, Des was promoted to district manager. Some told her it was a long-overdue progression, but for Des, it felt like perfect timing.
“I wanted to get really good at what I was doing as a shop manager before I even thought about moving on,” she explained. “It’s the same with my role now. I can see myself being a district manager for a few years.”
Paying it forward
Over the next few years, Des has goals for herself, her shops, and—most importantly—her team. She’s particularly passionate about helping others grow within the company, especially those who may not yet see their own potential.
“I try to identify people early on who have that spark. Sometimes they don’t even realize they could be a leader yet. But I see it, and I try to water that seed,” Des said.
She credits Take 5 with changing the trajectory of her life and hopes it can do the same for others. Her journey from lube tech to district manager is proof that leadership is about more than titles—it’s about showing up, lifting others, and never losing sight of where you started.
“I started in the pit, and I never forget that,” Des said. “That’s where I learned what real leadership looks like.”