We caught up with the brilliant and insightful NIKEL STEPHEN a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, NIKEL thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Carib Auto is a client focused car buying/ leasing service. We are able to supply any make or model vehicle, new or used. Sales, lease, or finance. In addition, the vehicle is usually delivered to your door. Each deal is customer tailored to fit each client’s specific needs. Payment budget, down payment, vehicle type, and even delivery time. Unlike a conventional dealership. There is no surprise pricing, no in person wait time. No pressure transactions just happy customers.
NIKEL, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My experience is the auto industry is quite extensive. I started selling cars at the age of 18. My first few years working in a car dealership were spent on the sales floor, as a salesperson. I eventually transitioned into finance. Working as a Finance Manager for a number of years. I developed an in depth understanding of the management aspect of auto sales. There is an incredible amount of nuance involved in the “Backend” of the auto. This experience prepared me for the role of owner/ operator for my own Auto Brokerage. A company that I started in 2017 and persists to this day.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Literally doing the right thing. A majority of clients are referral or repeat customers. I provided a level of service that’s unmatched. I’m reachable throughout most times of the day. Via text, phone call or email. It could be something as simple as explaining part of a contract. Or a video call with a older client; to answer a question about a car feature that they couldn’t figure out. My level of service and care shows, that’s how I’ve been able to stay in business so long.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Working in a dealership, you’re relegated to selling what’s available there. I initially started by referring clients to other people. People I knew that worked at different stores. My new business was born from the need, and want to sell multiple brands. I figured, with more transparency, larger inventory pools, and a tailored sales experience. I couldn’t fail.
Contact Info:
- Website: caribauto.com
- Instagram: @caribauto
- Facebook: facebook.com/caribautobrokers