The wheel business can be tough and as you learned from Ben Bermudez, owner of Wheels Boutique in Miami, it is also very competitive. Competition should never scare anyone away from being able to follow their dreams, and as we see today, there are plenty of tuners, wheel manufacturers, or automotive related companies that come out of nowhere. We decided to go back and talk to Ben again but this time pick his brain about how vision in business should overcome the competition.
How do you start a wheel shop with so much competition and still come up ahead of others? Define what the vision for Wheel Boutique looked like and if the business now is what you envisioned?
WB started in the high end business before most and has the expertise and real hands-on experience so we found a niche for ourselves in the high end market. Most shops now-a-days are guys from home who don’t even know what a Ferrari is. They rely off specs from manufacturers. We develop our own specs which is the main thing that sets us apart from the rest. Not to mention that we have partnered up with some of the best and biggest names in the industry and that’s what truly what sets us apart. We only deal with brands that have the same vision as us which is quality and customer service.
If you look back at a time you had to sway away from what you wanted so you could progress further in the long term, can you share what that was and what happened?
Honestly we haven’t swayed away from anything. We accomplished most, if not all our goals. It’s easy to become #1 and it’s harder to maintain that status for over 10 years like we have and we continue to strive to get better and better.
If someone wanted to do what you do, what advice do you have for them? Do you feel that the industry’s dynamics have changed from what they were then? How so?
I get asked this question all the time even from my own clients and friends. They think opening a wheels company is easy and they are going to get rich quick. This business is a lot more than just fun and fancy cars. You really need to know your product and your industry especially when there is so much competition. Wheel companies and wheel brands pop up daily so people really need to realize it all comes down to the age old saying: “you get what you pay for”. People always want the best price but that always comes with a sacrifice and with that you might be sacrificing quality or peace of mind. We have the knowledge and top brands in the industry which allows us to give our customers the best of both worlds.
If you had to do it all over again, what would change in your vision for WB knowing what you know today?
Honestly, I would not change anything major and I couldn’t be happier where we are. But maybe some minor things especially when we had fast growing pains.
Thanks to Ben for helping our young and thirsty entrepreneurs who wish to get into the automotive tuning industry. His vision and passion for cars is what enabled the Wheels Boutique brand to become as exceptional as it is today. Make sure to read more on Ben and his continued success at Wheels Boutique and Ben Bermudez.
