Meet CJ Johnson | Auto Finance Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with CJ Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CJ, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have worked in the auto sales and auto finance industries for over 20 years. I have worked in car dealerships as a sales person, sales manager, finance director, and inventory control manager. I have also worked as a dealer rep for a large automotive finance company and as a consultant and trainer to large and small dealerships throughout the country. In addition, I’m also a former dealer advisory board member for a large luxury auto manufacturer.

I have worked for some of the largest and most profitable dealer groups in the United States. As a former insider I know exactly how the dealer operates and the tactics they use to gain an advantage over consumers buying a car.

The idea of Car Buyer University and the Car Buyers Guide came from my desire to help consumers get their best deal when buying or leasing a vehicle. I have seen first hand how car dealers use complex jargon and intimidating sales tactics to maximize profits for themselves and put consumers in unfavorable finance deals.

What should our readers know about your business?
Please tell us more about your business. Car Buyer University is a personal finance platform with a focus in automotive finance education. The Car Buyers Guide is the flagship product. The Car Buyers Guide helps consumers understand the car buying process so they can get their best deal and save thousands of dollars when they lease or buy a car.

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others
My desire to help educate consumers on the car buying process and my extensive experience and knowledge within the auto sales and auto finance industries is what sets me and my company apart. Most competitors in this space only provide surface level information and most of it comes from a consumer perspective. I bring an industry specific perspective with 20+ years of experience.

what you are most proud of or excited about.
I am most proud of bringing this idea to reality. It was not an easy journey and the road ahead is still long, but the excitement of bringing something new to market is a great feeling and I am super proud that this idea helps so many people save a lot of money.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise.
I feel to be successful at any business endeavor, you have to be willing to listen and accept different points of view. You will not always be right, and if you are willing to listen to other people you can gather information, data, ideas, etc. I have always tried to surround myself with people smarter than me and get into rooms with other smart people. This has been invaluable to me and the success of Car Buyer University up to this point.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I really want people to think about their car purchase as part of their overall personal finance journey. Remove heighten emotion when you are in the market to buy a car. Dealers will use that emotion against you in an effort to maximize their profits.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I reside in Los Angeles, California, so the options available are plentiful. I would definitely take them on a visit to the Griffith Observatory, you get the best views of the city from there. We would also hit up a few of the amazing restaurants the city has to offer like Fanny’s, located inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in the Fairfax district, great food and you never know who you might run into. Nightlife around Hollywood is always fun and interesting and a visit to LA Live in Downtown LA is always a great time, with plenty of bars, restaurants and of course Staples Center, home of the best basketball team in the world, the Los Angeles Lakers. During the day we would hit up Venice beach, Malibu, and Santa Monica to catch some waves and sun. A trip to LA would be incomplete without a trip to Beverly Hills to visit Rodeo Dr for some high end shopping and a little star watching, and that’s just the tip of the entertainment iceberg in Los Angeles.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My inspiration comes from my son Amir. He is a remarkable, intelligent, kind soul who I can lean on and get advice from. He motivates me to strive for greatness and provides an amazing support system for me.

Another person deserving of a shout out is Dr. Norris Dorsey, founder of Dorsey Academy of Entrepreneurs. I call him my business mentor. He is one of the smartest, driven, and knowledgeable people I have ever met. When I was first thinking about the idea of Car Buyer University he offered well thought out advice and is never afraid to challenge me or engage in healthy point, counter-point discussions.

I can’t forget to mention my business mastermind group, Todd Capital Mastermind (TCMM) in particular the gentleman who created the group, Charles Oglesby. Charles is a wealth of knowledge and a tremendously successful, positive person who has offered some valuable advice and support to myself and Car Buyer University.

Website: www.carbuyeru.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carbuyeru

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carbuyeru

Other: Car Buyers Guide available on Amazon.com