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

Hi Carmelo, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have working at auto dealerships since 1989 and my partner has since 2005, always for someone else. We were done with that. We both felt we were the smartest people in the room and wanted a chance to make it happen. My strongest suit is the Sales side and His is the behind scenes digital marketing and vehicle metrics. We feel that we have a winning hand.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been selling cars in one job or another for 36 years, salesperson, floor manager (closer), sales manager, general sales manager, fleet manager, finance manager, business development center manager, and sales director. I’ve been personally involved in more than 40,000 transactions in that time. And yes, every sale was one at a time, Even though it was one of 3 or 5 or 10 for the day for me, it was one for 2 to 5 years for the people on the other side of the desk from me and I knew it. That means I actually care about the people I sell to. I see them in town, at church, at my children’s school.
I’ve had training through a number of different sources including factory and industry specific trainers. I was a Ford master certified salesperson, sales manager and finance manager. I have been awarded a gold ring for Ford and one from Lincoln. Was it easy, of course not. The washout rate in auto sales is over 73 percent in the first 2 years, and closer to 95 percent in the first 5 years. Is someone selling cars for 37 years and is this unique in and of itself? No. What is unique, is what I(we) do with it. And I’ve decided I need to. It may be late for me but not too late. I have at least another 25 years in me. I want to continue to be a hard working member of my community by providing a needed resource, good running used cars around 10k.
Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned, is not to over-complicate the process, don’t get in the people way of trying to buy a car. It’s their day, let them speak. Show the product and the features, not me and my life’s highlights. Focus on the person in front of me, not the appointment coming in 2 hours. And love, love, love your customers. They’re the only reason I get to stay in business. Whoo hoo!!!
My brand is one of hope saying too old doesn’t exist, we are the small guy(s) who is there for our customers. We aren’t trying to take over the world, just one area in LA county. That’s O.K.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Most of my favorite spots are food related. Every time we take a trip to LA a cool food spot is included? Pinks hot dogs, Phillipe’s French Dip Sandwich Shop, King Tacos, A authentic Chinese Dim Sum Place in Chinatown/well now Monterey Park i.e. NBC Seafood(the best Dim Sum) Chinese New year Parade in a few weeks, watching the tourists in Hollywood. Hiking the Devil’s punchbowl in Pearblossom, Porto’s in Burbank, Canters in Hollywood, Any corner Tamale vendor in LA county. Kris special at the Way Station in Newhall,

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout would need to go to my partner Mikey Johnson. Our partnership may be 50/50 on paper, but in application it is 110/110. It is a struggle starting a new project and being able to lean on someone is a big plus. One day he leads and I follow and the next, the opposite.

Website: https://wheelhouseclassics.com

Instagram: wheelhouseclassics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wheelhouseclassics

Image Credits
carmelo fenald
mike p johnson

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