my dream job is to one day either open up my own performance shop (retail and possibly a garage) or work for a major company (companies in the same boat as spoon, mugen etc.)

so i figure might as well try to get my foot into the industry ASAP.

i took a job at best buy to get sales experience and now since they cut my hours heavily. am considering advancing my way into the car bizz.

do you think itll look better to work at a dealership? or at a performance shop like super autobacs?

*note* none of those jobs are set in stone however i will pursue until i get it.

- Thanks.

 

Its such a competitive business in California mate. The experience will help you, but if its what you truely love then maybe its what you should do. But with that said, its a hard business and you have to develop your indentity. From what I've seen taht works, either a smaller shop with loyal clients where you are a specialist, or large marketing geared type.

I've noticed quite a lot of people do well importing parts, again you have to know what to do and where its profitable, no one will teach you.

Either way best of luck in pursuit of your dreams!

 

car dealership prob wont help

 

are you wanting to concentrate on sales or installation or both?

having wrench time under your belt never hurts, but a good knowledge base on what parts are out there is also crucial for what you want to do.

I would try to get in at a performance shop that does both sales and installation and try to learn as much as possible.

 

Start with a degree in business then figure out a niche. I have always fancied (dreamed) of opening a speed shop catering to modern performance cars, with a focus on imports. The difference would be my shop would carry nothing that does not make a car handle/stop and go better

 

Why don't you check out renner motorsports in Inglewood. They used to specilze in VWs, very niche, but the guy races and knows his stuff. It looks low key, dirty shop etc, but one of my favs I've come across. I'm sure they make good money too.

Only reason I'm scared for you is that the sort of knowledge the guy has is not for everyone. He's like a car doctor where the other guys that work there are good, just not special enough.

Its important to have a long term business, not one where you see a lot of rich kids open for fun because they like cars, and only to see it tank a few years later.

What ever you do, best of luck, just find out where you passion really is and it will come to you mate.

 

Just to throw another spin out there, how about an engineering degree of some kind and an R&D internship at one of those companies (Spoon, etc.)?

 

I've heard guys that import parts have a website and make an extra 30 k/ month on the side. That's where its at.

 

I'd start with an education.

Don't get wrapped up in hourly gigs looking at your target two or three years down the road. Pick your head up and look 15 years down the road, then think what it will take to get there.

 

working on the education part.

i probably dont want to do wrenching myself. although that R&D sounds cool. i just havent been too good with my hands.

the way i see myself in the future is 3 different ways. some more realistic than the others.

1. open my own place.
2. import/export
3. working for major company.

the first 2 im going to need connections and the last one im going to need "experience"

so i figure if i work at like...super autobacs for significant time then itll look good on a resume as opposed to starbucks for 10 years haha and maybe meet someone who can become a connect.