Unlocking Used Car Secrets with Marcelo Avila

buying their first car or buying a used car that is worth buying. What's the biggest mistake people make when they're buying a used car? >> Well, I guess what you just say now people buy what they want, not what they need. >> In life, we tend to do this. >> How do you sell them what they need and not they want? Welcome to the Seo Show. It is September 2025. This is the first episode I've recorded since becoming a father. And uh across from me, Marcelo. His last name is too uh difficult to um pronounce from Ecuador. Marcelo. >> I'm My name is Marcelo Aila. It's not that difficult, but >> I'm just kidding. Marcela Aila. He runs a place in Vic Park in Mandra and a few other places. I'll let you unfold it uh soon because by the time this is uh live, he's probably going to have things everywhere. Uh but he's into cars and more specifically helping you find your car and uh the first question we ask on the show, Marcelo, is are you living your best life? >> I do. Since um seven years ago, I have the opportunity to start my own business. >> Mhm. >> And it's been a lot of fun. I love it. I'm free. I spend time with my family, with my friends. I do what I like. >> I keep failing more than before. >> You're failing more than before. >> Oh, 100%. Right. >> I'm entrepreneur. I love to start new things. >> Mhm. >> You and me, we know we back. We we try different things. Absolutely. And whoever start a business know that's about failure and start up again. >> 100%. And being an immigrant to this country. >> When did you migrate here? >> I immigrate in 2002. I just talking to a friend Arthur. He was asking me why you choose Perth? Because the record is very quiet. I say Arthur, you have no idea how Per was 20 years ago. That was very quiet. I came here to Perth because I met a girl in in England and we chose Per because it was the cheapest place to live. >> Love that. Love >> a girl. >> And what made you decide to uh to migrate initially? Is it because of that girl and then you just >> No, I was talking to today we have um accident at work. A guy crashed one of the showrooms. Um yeah, it's going to cost a lot of money. It was >> he crashed in in his he crashed a car in one of your showrooms. >> That's happened this morning. And >> has that happened before? >> Oh no, not in my place, but a normal thing in the car industry. What happen is normally in the car industry, you have to start cars three three times a week. So the cars, you know, the battery charge and >> and it was in gear. >> You have it in gear. >> Ah, >> that's a very common mistake. >> How old was the person in the car that did this? >> Uh, I guess 20s. >> Not used to manual cars, eh? >> Well, the thing is he was we were just talking >> that he was missing his family, >> you know. So he has a little bit of dong. I said, look, >> im migration when you immigrate a country, you is about, you know, you have to be strong, believe in your dreams and you have to work hard. M you miss your family, you go there, save money, go and see him. You miss your family, work hard and bring them over. >> Yeah. Don't crash into your showroom. >> Exactly. So now he said, "Look, it's going to cost you $7,000. You could go in business class to Brazil. But don't worry about it. I want to help you. We're going to get this opportunity and it's nothing better than desperation, the best motivation. Have you heard about it? >> Um, we're going to pay this damage. You're going to pay your tickets and that's going to be opportunity for you to get out of your comfort zone because now he's comfortable, you know, he's selling cars, he's a good selling cars, he's happy, you got going for four-wheel driving, camping. Now he has adept. Now he had a bit stress. >> And when you have your business, you know how it is. >> Yeah. When you have debt, you have to pay it off. Yeah. I haven't had debt in so long. Uh, the last debt I had when was when I went to a car dealership at 19 years old >> and purchased a VESS Commodore. >> We spoke about it as well. >> V8 >> $918 a month. >> Yeah. And the kids don't ask. You remember how much interest you pay? >> I don't I don't think about it. I don't go back and look at it, but it was more than it needed to be. any any interest that you pay unless you absolutely can leverage it to make so much more profit is too much. >> That is a very common thing happening so many times especially >> but I learned how to be responsible with the money. I learned how to make it happen. Do what I can to survive. And looking back at it, the eight or six years of payments could have been very much better invested in uh index funds. But now that I know that, all right, what does my next decade look like? But, uh, back then, I should have just gone to a second car, secondhand car dealership, and gone, you know what? $5,000 is enough. >> It's perfect. It's affordable car. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Well, that's I guess when you're a business owner, entrepreneur, most of the best lessons is when you lose money, when people betray you. >> Do you lose money or is it an expensive lesson? >> It's investment, let's call it. It's not, you're not losing money, you're investing. Yeah. >> Yeah. You're getting a lesson. True. >> Yeah. And maybe it's not the right time. Maybe it's a moment that wasn't quite right and you go from there. But going back to you, you you you started in Ecuador. You were born in Ecuador. >> Yes. >> Uh what was your hustle like then? Uh how old were you when >> Well, I guess my dad was a doctor and we were like a medium class, very comfortable. >> Um then my dad got sick with cancer. Then we lost everything and if everybody has cancer is you know cancer is a terrible thing. >> Yeah. >> And he was the the whole provider of of the home. My mom was a housewife and everything changed. >> So my plan was I go to England and learn English because I couldn't get a good job because now I need to make money because my dad cannot provide and that was the plan but that didn't work. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So when you were in England and it didn't work, what how did you get that uh how did you get back into rhythm to make it work? What did you do? >> Well, didn't work because my dad died when I was in England. So the plan didn't work. >> Okay. >> But thank thanks to that I met that girl. Thanks to this girl I came to Australia. Thanks to Australia I did my MBA. Thanks to my NBA went to Dubai. There's Dubai. I met my wife. Thanks to my wife I came to Australia back again. Have my family and my business. So in the end everything worked out well. >> So the girl that you met in England wasn't didn't end up being your wife. >> No, of course not. >> No. >> You know you 22, 21, that's something we were talking. I play golf with some gentlemans. And we think it's so important in business you partner. >> Mhm. >> She was not a good partner. She didn't want to have a business. She didn't want to have a family. She didn't want she didn't have too many dreams. My wife, she's excellent with money, which I am not. She is a great mom. She sacrificed herself the last seven years in able to me reach my dreams >> for to to handle the kids and make the house a home. >> Everything. >> Wow. >> I go home. I go to home. I can concentrate. I don't get phone calls. I don't get anything. I come back home. Everything is perfect. It's peace. I recharge. Go back the same day. The next day I can do all over again. >> Where is she from? >> Czech Republic. >> Czech Republic. Right. You get an Eastern European girl and you're looked after. You look after her first. and she'll look after you for life. >> True. Um, thanks to her, I started my business. >> Yeah. >> She was the savings. >> Thanks to her, we bought the first home. Thanks to her, she's being always the the solid part. I'm the dreamer, you know. I'm chasing, losing money. Chasing, losing money, chasing. >> She's the grounder. >> Nice. >> She always plays safe. >> I love that. >> She has investment. She has gold. She has diamonds. She has shares. She owns two houses. >> She's your contingency plan. >> That's it. So, it's so important to have the right partner is and you have to be lucky because when you're 20 years old, we were talking about this. People should learn about this kind of stuff. >> Yeah, I I talk about it all the time. Like I met my wife on Tinder >> just over 7 years ago, almost 8 years ago in in October. And uh that was 4 months after my 5-year relationship uh didn't work out. And yeah, it it just happened. And I was like, h, I don't know if I'm going to meet the right person anytime soon. I'm 26. Let's see what happens with it. And then there she comes. And now we have a child together. We're married. We're coming up to our 5year anniversary, which means we made a pretty quick decision on getting married. And yeah, she's she's the bedrock as well. She's takes care of Mila, my daughter. um when I'm here doing this and um building the company and when I get home, even if she hasn't really, you know, she's been busy help with the daughter, it's fine. She's 11 weeks old. She needs all the attention right now. >> 100%. >> Uh but but she also grounds me, too. Like we have some deep conversations and she gets me. That's what you need in a partner. You need to get each other. You need to have a ride or die, but you need someone that can compliment you as well, but also challenges you, right? >> 100%. And especially, you know, I have to sell every time I have a new idea. I'm learning now. >> She's your filter. >> My filter [laughter] every time. And she's really good to judge people. >> Yeah. >> Sometimes I I tend to um I have my I start my first business because somebody gave me opportunity. Somebody help me. >> So I always try kind of like try to pay back >> and sometimes you do that to people who doesn't deserve it. >> Yes. Unfortunately, I always think somebody is because if if I somebody give me opportunity, I will appreciate people are not like this all the time. >> But it is what it is. That's business. I guess it's a part of risk like what we like. >> Yeah. Without risk, there is no business because you just become like everyone else doing the same thing because it's been tried and tested. But then once everybody else keeps doing the same thing, >> it becomes >> cliche or it doesn't work anymore or it's too diluted. >> Like there's so many car yards out there. What are you doing differently? >> What are we doing different? Um well uh what happened to me is we having the co I got lucky. Um somebody opened me so I have to get a real carrier. That was you see again baba thing. >> You were selling you were selling cars out of your house. >> Oh yes. It was amazing. I was selling cars. You see the mat, the bushes in the car park, no pinky. Oh, it was a disaster. So, I was I'm still a little bit unorganized. But at that time, and then my neighbors open me, so I have to get a real carrier. And then we COVID came. Everybody's like, "Oh my god, is the worst things going to happen to you?" It was the best things happened to the car industry. We we >> And then we start with another yard, another yard, another yard. Then we end up getting six yards. And then the market now is clashing now. >> Yeah. >> So what I'm doing now I start to sublist the carriers >> and it's been also amazing because we now we partner with people who starting the business and the energy they have the the mind the mentality is to help each other and to make [clears throat] it work. >> Yeah. >> So it's been great. >> Even if it's a crashing market >> it's it's all about people and energy. >> Yeah. It is that's every industry. So I was surrounding like six months ago I was surrounding myself with people who used to have business like me >> and the the normal conversation was like oh it's terrible yeah it is terrible oh what we should do I don't know well it's going to happen better now >> with the new people they doing Tik Tok >> we're learning how to do Tik Tok good now they're doing social media and I I remember I have a chat with you not too many people using social media now we're using social media and it's getting giving a great results >> yeah what sort of results have you been getting since you've implemented it properly >> look the car industry like I did my MBA at Murdoch and people understand what is marketing. We studied that at uni. Uh in the car industry marketing is uh a myth. Nobody believe in marketing. Nobody cares about marketing. Normally is the receptionist who does marketing is the training who does the marketing is whoever wants to do the marketing. Now everybody is trying to get back. Now I start to see big carriers try to get a marketing department. Now I have a marketing department. >> Amazing. I'm I'm so glad our conversations ended up uh >> time will tell >> utilizing. That's awesome. And I'm glad like there's four different ways to market in a business. Number one is >> an exceptional amount of money, an extortionate amount of money to hire an agency. Most agencies fail. Fail the clients and fail themselves because they're a jack of all trades, master of none, average at best. The second way to market is to do it all yourself. Do you have time? >> No. So there's the two extreme ends. The two things in the middle is to hire external people. But you can't expect the external people to do everything because they're not an agency. They're just specialists for one thing, another thing, and another thing. But do you have time to keep them all organized? >> Of course not. >> Of course not. So you need to hire internally. And that's what you've done. Internally, you have two staff and what they need to do is become the project managers of that entire social media marketing channel. How that is distributed, when is filming day, when do they come up with ideas, what ideas they can use, and why would those ideas be relevant in today's market? How can those ideas be used perpetually forever? There's a way. And also, how do you make sure that it hits the right audience? Not in a trending way, although you can do that. It's fun. But how do we do it in a way that's valuable forever? And to do that, you need some absolute people who are invested in your business. Not just you've invested in them, they've invested back in you. It's hard to do that. So that's why most people try the agency approach. But the agencies are less invested. That is fact. And they give you an account manager. That account manager handles your stuff maybe one, two hours a week. That's not enough. You need someone full-time internally. >> They need to live and breathe it. >> They need to go Marcelo, we got this new car in. Let's make content right now about it and put it up. No hesitation. Put it up. Volume, volume, volume. That's why internal works. External too long. Takes too long. >> I think they have to be young. >> They have to be young. They have to have energy. They have to have the phone skills. Exactly. Those older people in those agencies, they hire those young people, too. But those young people die inside those agencies because they don't feel creative anymore. They have to do a standard that is outdated. >> True. >> That's it. That's that's that's the truth. And like >> 100%. And the other thing I found out we're talking with Ar the other day is it happened to me. Uh I I tried to get the agency. I tried eight people were involved. So was the guy who edited, the guy who does the video, the guy who checked the video that so many people involved and I was paying for everything. >> And what was the end result? >> Nothing. So then you lose faith. >> What did they what did they give you like uh in terms of the contract? What was the what was the scope of work? >> Well, the thing is because you don't know, you tend to trust. So >> they didn't tell you. >> Well, they they tell you know we know you have the experience. We need to do this, we need to do that. Look how we going to do it. I start to go participate in the meetings. I try to help with the meetings but also they ask you to be patient. So you are patient. So the problem is after six months then these things didn't change and when you speak up and then people go back to you and say look it's your fault. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. >> And then you lose faith. It's like when you somebody break your heart it's hard to trust again somebody. >> So I run workshops right? I run workshops for business owners to teach them how to avoid this. I don't run workshops to for them to hire me after. I don't want to do that. If they want to run a podcast, yes, here's the studio. If they want a couple of videos, okay, we can do that for you. But to go all in for them, I'm not your guy. But how do you hire the right agency and ask them the right questions? You need to simply ask them, "How do I know we're moving in the right direction within the first 30 days? What are you measuring for the success of my company to make me understand that my investment is worthwhile? Don't give me the six-month This is what you tell them. And then month two, how do we uh see that improvement? If you can see improvement based on those metrics, they're doing a good job. But if you don't get them to set those metrics and you need to be clear and understand those metrics, you're stuffed from the beginning. And I think that's what happened. You can't trust marketers because marketers are technically closet sellers. They're trying to sell it to you too. Trying to sell you a dream, right? >> What you need to do, and you've already started doing it, is you need to just put data out and see what comes back. And it's no longer followers or engagement or likes. Those are still somewhat handy, but you need to become as searchable as possible. Now what I found out and that kind of like was a blessing is I have this idea I have this idea have this idea failed failed failed didn't work as I imagined but social media you have the results so fast >> so now they works I when I with art I'm going to give you you know because I lost so much that's how much you're going to give you a little bit >> so if you don't get the results you know don't expect anything because >> the problem with that is uh it may take longer, but if you're willing to spend a little bit for longer, then you will get there eventually. The scam is you need to spend a lot to get there sooner. But no, if you find the right people, they will understand. It's like, okay, how can we optimize this little bit right now to get you what you want? But you also have to understand that a little bit will not get you a lot to begin with, and you have to be happy with that. But I guess in in Mexico they have a phrase they say you see the guy who likes to eat on the way he handled the taco. Um that the company because they want to show results like okay we're going to invest some money this weekend. Okay how much? $2,000. I was like okay let's do it. >> Arthur was you know what we're going to start with 40 bucks >> because I've been be a business owner. I don't want you lose too much money. So we're going to start with tiny little bit see the results. >> Is it for ads? >> For I don't know what he did to be honest. I don't know. But he said, "Wait, my my year like $40, no $2,000." I said, "I like that." >> Okay. >> He cares about the money. >> So, with someone like that, and that's awesome. Whatever the success was, you need to understand what it was because if Arthur leaves or stops or for whatever reason, that information goes with him and you're starting again. >> Yeah. That's why you hire internally and that's why you get these guys to build SOPs, standard operating procedures, so that if they decide to move on or they decide to start training people under them in the department that you have now, a marketing department, the training becomes easier and it snowballs. >> Um, you have a staff and everybody who has a business has a staff >> and people leave you, people stay. It's part of the business. I've been in business for seven years now. And what I learned about now is people needs to stay with you for choice, not obligation. >> That's the people you want. >> Yes. >> And that >> you got to build the culture. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> And that's it. Everybody can live. >> Yeah. >> But also if they have the success and they feel the success and they're bought in because >> there's a a greater mission rather than just going, "Hey, we've made an extra commission on this car sale today thanks to this video." What else is there? So you got to evolve that >> 100%. I always I tend to be the way I work. I like to build up teams >> because I'm lazy. >> I don't want to do all the work. I don't want to learn new things. Uh I just want to create teams that we all sharing. Yeah. >> So we can keep getting bigger. And when I want to go play golf, I can go play golf and the business is still running. >> If you want to be with my family, I can go for holidays and the business still running. And I have to share because it's plenty for everybody. >> Absolutely. What what is the goal for your business over the next 6 to 12 months? >> So, we're going to start to open franchises. >> Mhm. >> Um we I did well I live in Mandra and by bad luck we find a place to buy was really cheap comparing with the rest of the yards. >> So you bought the land. >> Yes. >> Wow. >> So we've been renting for a long time and whoever rent somebody know how much money is rent and they keep squeeze you squeeze you 5% more. 5% more 5% when you're making money is fine but we end up making too much money is a lot of money >> but then we find this opportunity we bought it and I have the opportunity to have people who work with me before Ricard and Fernando they amazing >> and it's effortless they having the partners now they running the business I have no issues at all they're passionate about what they're doing they have big dreams so in the future I'm going to open another franchises in different places of the city >> amazing amazing And uh in terms of the marketing side, how are you going to attract that um that model to future franchiseors? >> Well, the idea of franchise, the way I get it is used cars is no manual. It's no guide. It's basically people like like me, I've been selling cars for 15 years and bad luck or unlucky you get into the business and then you learn a lesson, you lose money, you learn lessons, you lose money, you learn lessons. A franchisee is part of it. We're going to provide finance, marketing, wholesaling. Uh we're going to try to help what we learn. >> Mhm. >> Um obviously it's going to be new challenges. >> Yeah. >> Uh if you ask me questions, I don't know the answer, but I'm sure we will find out. >> Yeah. Let's talk about the car itself because the audience is also going to be curious about uh buying their first car or buying >> a used car that is worth buying. What's the most What's the biggest mistake people make when they're buying a used car? >> Well, I guess what you just say now people buy what they want, not what they need. >> In life, we tend to do this. How do you sell them what they need and not they want? >> Sorry to interrupt one last time. This is actually a sponsor post. If you need to run ads for your service-based business and you don't know how, there is one agency I would trust in the entire country and the world probably where you spelled wh hu. [snorts] They literally teach you how to run Facebook ads, Instagram ads, and create a whole funnel for you to get more business. And I use them myself. They've taught me how to do it. And I get all of the business, which is fantastic. If you want to learn how to run ads properly and dominate your industry and win all of the clients, hit up where you back to the episode. >> Well, first you have to see what they can afford. Mhm. >> Um the other thing is I asked them question like uh I should ask like how was your last car? Where was your favorite car? What do you like about this car? >> Mhm. >> Also people say I don't like my car. Why you don't like your car? So then you start to see the needs. What are you going to use the car for? But answering your question at the moment is very hard. We have all these Chinese cars coming and we have like so many now you have electric cars going everywhere. Now hybrids are coming. Oh, it's it's super difficult at the moment. So, if you ask me, depends. I mean, for my kid, I will give a big cars in case something happen for my wife because she likes to save money. Electric car is fantastic, you know. >> Yeah. >> For people who are four-wheel driving is is really hard is you you don't have a formula basically. You just It's about qualified person. >> Yeah. So they the biggest mistake they make when buying their first car of used car is they don't know what they want. >> Exactly. >> Okay. Okay. So after you diagnose them, how can they do it without you diagnosing them? What what do you suggest they look at? What are the three key things? Well, look, I haven't been selling cars for the last seven years, so I'm a little bit rusty. But what I used to do is, uh, ask question about what they going to use the car for. >> Mhm. >> Um, and then I will ask questions like what was the last car >> and the most important part I will try to help them at the best I can. >> Okay. So, what they use the car for? Is it family? Is it utility? Is it pleasure for business? Yeah. And that that's a big factor. Yeah. That's that that totally makes sense. And in terms of used cars and there's also uh what's that what's that term when they uh they I got this from carco or motor mall starts with a c. Um trying to remember where you're like you don't lease it. You you consignment. Is it consignment? >> Consignment. Yes. >> Yeah. Consignment. >> Yeah. We do consignment. We >> What is consignment? Tell tell people what consignment is. So we have this company called Sell My Car WA. >> Um well that's the workshop. Now we have a different companies now to provide the service because Simon I just have a phone call today from a friend. Um uh husband died. They used to have a Land Cruiser. They used to have a caravan. It's like you know they were off. They live in Apple Cross. Total is going to be $120,000. She doesn't need to sell but she will sell it because the husband died. So she asked me, "Do you want to buy it?" Being a friend of a friend, you know, you have to look after them. So I say to them, look, it's two options here. If I buy a car from you, I have to buy the car cheap to make money. Simple. But if you don't need the money straight away, do consignment. Consignment, I will sell your car. I will advertise the car. We go for a better price. And if you have patience, you may make another $10,000 >> which will be for a nice trip. You know, $10,000 is a lot of money. >> Yeah. >> So that's the difference. So if you're in the rush and you're willing to wait, you can make more money. >> And for the people who selling the car like myself, also is good because you don't take the risk. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Because you know, we don't have a crystal ball which car is going to sell, which car is not going to sell, which going to be faster. >> Yeah. What's the uh how do you know it's time to move on with the car you have? >> Uh with used car is when they start to be too expensive to fix the car, to maintain. >> Yeah. And now with the warranties of the new cars is just amazing know seven years. Seven years. Seven years. >> I guess when I guess I guess about the purpose. I mean if you're going to do a Uber you need a very reliable car. >> Yeah. >> If you're going to do just the kids like my first mistake for example my mistake when my wife got pregnant. I went there I say how much can I afford? The guy like you can afford $80,000. I went and buy the most expensive car I could for my wife. Then that you know when a wife is pregnant and when they have the first kids she doesn't drive much. >> Yeah. >> Just to the library, the mom's group. Library. Mom's group. That's it. >> Oh, my wife bloody drives everywhere. >> Yeah. >> I'm so glad she does cuz you know, but uh Okay. So, >> so mine was completely waste. I I get so much credit. I was paying so much interest for a car that was not been driven >> A to B. Yeah. What's the uh do you have like a sweet spot of the amount someone should probably uh spend on a Let's start with a new car. >> New car. >> Yeah. >> Uh I think so 25 will give you a good car >> to start >> and not too much interest if you're buying it for the first time. >> It really depends to be honest. >> For example, you know, like for a used car I would say at least $10,000. Mhm. >> I remember somebody asked me, we did a video about this uh six six years ago and was 5,000. >> Now with 5,000, you don't buy anything reliable. >> It's just too risky. >> Yeah. >> So 10,000 maybe. I say 15,000 will be a good reliable car. But saying that, you know, you can buy a Chinese car with $20,000 brand new. No, 16 17,000 brand new. 7 years warranty. >> Which one's that? Is that the BYDs? >> No, that's the MGS. >> MGS. >> So cheap. What's the catch? >> Well, the catch is that in seven years, the car won't be worth much. The when you have a problem, the parts is very hard to get the parts. >> And it's such a new brand that we haven't experienced. What could go wrong in that certain amount of time? >> Well, BYD has a problem at the moment. I don't know if you check the news. >> Gone. >> They selling so many cars, but they don't have service departments or parts. So, now the federal government is checking them. Plus they advertise that the kilomets the you know when you have a range for electric cars is that much and this false because by the time you start your air condition or you or your driving is totally less. So they get in big troubles. >> Wow. So BYD is in a bit of a predicament. >> Yeah. I I went to Bali and my my driver came in by BYD he was showing off and he was looking so happy you know electricity so cheap. The next day he the windscreen was broken. something fall from the tree and I say well the next day he came to pick me up still no fix I say it's going to be three months waiting they don't have windscreens >> what >> it will be a Imagine he's a driver he needs to have he needs to be safe and he has to be driving with a windscreen broken for three months >> and in Bali >> yes when he's a Toyota you can get in the next day >> one of my mates just bought a BYD I might have to send this clip to him going oh >> yes it's a big thing >> yeah he bought one of those Big utes. The big big ones. Big boys. >> Oh yes. Try to tone with that ute. You will it won't be the same that advertised. >> You you you went ran out of battery quicker. >> Yes. 100%. >> The other thing is the metal, you know, the rust. No, it's going to be big challenge. >> Yeah. >> Like what happened in Ecuador is the Chinese people came, they killed the the industry and then everybody left. And now seven now it's almost seven years. Now they start to have a lot of problems with the cars and no industry to compete. >> Interesting. Okay. So, what would your solution be [clears throat] >> for purchasing a car reliably? I've always been told get a Toyota. They always have parts and they're very reliable. >> Um, my look, every car needs to be It's a risk. >> I know you sell a lot of different models. >> Yes. No. No. But, >> but tell me the tell me the creme de la creme. >> Well, I drive a Toyota. I like Toyota. Super reliable car. >> Yeah. >> And great resale value. >> Um they're quite boring, but I don't mind because I don't like cars. That's another thing. I don't like shiny things. For me, it's just a useful. >> Yeah. >> So, I will go for a Toyota. >> My wife like Mazdas because she likes a lot of the cameras and easy parking and this kind of stuff. Uh, I would love to buy a Tesla or even a way. I won't I don't mind as long the car drive himself, which is happening now in Melbourne. >> Starting to get there. >> It's $10,000 upgrade. >> Really? >> Mhm. >> In Australia? >> Yes. >> Wow. >> If you have a Tesla can get upgrade. >> Wow. Jeez. Didn't even know that. Subaru for me, I I think it's pretty reliable. Uh, the functionality, the safety is great. They say Volvo is the safest car to drive though. >> Used to be. used to be. >> Yeah, I don't think so. >> Who's taken over? >> Well, Subaru are well because the allwheel driving thing is a huge thing. >> Yeah, >> you spend more money in tires, but it's very reliable. And you know, Toyota owns Subaru. Yes. They're very related the companies. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> And then Mazda is owned by Ford. >> Uh I don't know that. >> Don't know that. Well, there's also got the uh the Volvo, Audi, and >> you know, Chinese companies own Volvos and all this kind of stuff. Really? >> Yeah. They bought all of the That's why they get the designs. >> Oh, >> that's why all the new >> Yeah, cuz I was in a that my mate's BYD truck the other day and and the interior was very similar to the others. But that's classic Chinese market. They just knock everything off, make it cheaper and then it's your problem when the problem comes and it becomes a big problem >> and they're coming more and more and you see the next couple years going to be more. >> So, uh I would love to have a franchise that was my dream >> but not anymore. Will be too hard to compete. You mentioned automate. Uh you mentioned automatic driving. How long until none of us are driving cars anymore and they're just more automated? >> No, only that. What about flying? Have you seen the new cars? The flying car in the last motor show in Melbourne. I was there five, six months ago. They have flying cars already. And they already working in Shanai in Dubai. >> Really? >> Yeah. In Australia will take longer. But >> but what about the the automatic driving for now? >> I say two years. >> Two years. Well, Tesla, the one is already in Melbourne. >> What about the traditionalists, the petrol heads, the ones that don't want to have automatic driving for them as a an option? Do you think they'll be phased out because insurance will just be too high? >> Uh, put it away, if everything will be safeable, you know, you have eyesight. You know how you work eyesight? Yes. Yes. >> Or automotive cruise control. >> Mhm. >> And in all the new cars, you have this automotive cruise control. Basically, the car drives himself. Accelerated brakes. uh eventually won't be accidents because the car won't be able to hit each other. >> Yeah. >> No. And if you're tired, they won't let you drive. Like Teslas, you have to put you you you have to see the the camera. If no, the car won't will stop. >> Wow. >> So, it would be great. Boring, >> but great. Yeah. >> I drive every day to Mandro, so I don't mind boring. I'm >> I'm happy with that. And my kids, I would love to drive a car that they cannot crash. >> I mean, yeah, it's a safer world. But going back to again like the the traditionalists who who are the ones that don't like the uh hybrids or the electrics, they want the mechanics and then some of them that like the the classic cars that don't even have any electronics. >> That would be big insurance. >> Yeah, big insurance. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. They're talking now to because you know we spend a lot of money in petrol and diesel when you you pay a lot of taxes >> and for the use of the roads. Electric cars don't pay taxes, >> which supposed to be the way they try to help people or promote the idea of electric cars. >> Yeah. >> So, they reckon they're gonna start to tax. Well, it's so many. That's another thing. The car industry so many changes. I mean, things change. Everybody has a opinion, but nobody really knows. Nobody has a crystal ball. >> Yeah. >> So, how do you keep up with the times? >> Uh, well, with I guess the bank keep pushing you. So, you need to survive. So, you need to change. You need to be active and you have to see how the trends. >> Are you ever worried that the market will shift so drastically that you're going to be a little bit in trouble >> and the car industry has been in trouble for the last three years. >> All right. >> Yeah. But it's we have a saying we in I don't know why in South America no everything works. >> So we have a lot of things and one saying is who learns how to eat everything never are hungry. >> Yeah. So, it's always a way, you know, it's always opportunity, you know, when it rains or you sell umbrellas or you get wet. >> It's about how how fast you can change that. Now, you're going to see people start to use marketing. People start to use social media. >> Of course. >> What's next? >> Um, >> for you, >> well, for me, next we're going to do franchises. >> Yeah. You already mentioned that. Yes. >> Let's go beyond that. >> Uh, I want to get into properties. >> Okay. Mr. Real Estate. Well, basically I want to buy properties and then when I do franchise and be able to rent the place. >> So, you're going to be doing commercial and residential? >> Uh, just commercial. >> Commercial? >> Yes. >> Yeah. I like the idea of commercial. >> Yes. I'm planning to Yes. I would like to retire in 10 years. >> How old are you now? >> I'm 45. >> 45. Retire by 55. And then what are you doing after that? >> Then I going to help my kids to have their own companies, their own business. I would like to get involved to help them. I love that. >> I would love the free. I don't want to be they're working for anybody else. >> Do you think that everybody can become an entrepreneur? >> I think everybody everybody has two eyes, one nose, two arms. Everybody can do it. Everybody deserve the chance to do it. >> 400 people working for a company. Surely they can't all start their own business and work for themselves. What happens to those 400 people that need to have that employment for that company to succeed? I have a therapist once and I have this discussion and I say you know I I worry about my kids you know I spoiled them too much I want to be strong you know they have to be strong you know when mother die I have to be strong and they say Marcelo look you're different you come from Ecuador you're immigrant you have to survive your kids are come from Australia they're going to grow in different way you cannot force them to have their own business you cannot force anybody but what you like is to give them the option >> if they want to have a company they will have your support >> if they don't want maybe they just want to be librarians you know philosophers or something that I enjoy my kid want to have a museum but if they want to have at least the option because the problem a lot of people are stuck in works and they don't have options they don't have opportunities >> yeah very true very true nice what's been uh your highlight of uh running a business >> I took my mom to Europe and I took her to the great world I went to China with all my family I This was the memories I be able to to build for my family. >> Yeah. And what's been the lowest point? >> Uh betrayal. Uh people stole from me and that was very hard. >> How did you bounce back from that? >> Oh, no. Well, it's hard, isn't it? Uh for me, it's how you bounce back. I guess just time will heal, isn't it? That's it. There's no more option. >> When you say time will heal, what do you do whilst that time is healing? >> Uh you change, people change you and you try to be more alert. You you start to be less than a dreamer, you know, you start to focus more. >> Yeah. Yeah. So self-reflection and a bit of self-awareness. >> Yes. That's it. Until you forget about it, what they did and then you trust again and then the cycle keep going back. >> Yeah. For Russians, we forgive but we don't forget. Simon Ecuadorians. >> Uh I was talking to my general manager Rob today and he was telling do you remember that happened before? I say I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse but I tend to forget a lot very easy like a goldfish. So it's I just forget about it and then try again. >> What about the people that hold a grudge? They can't forgive or forget. What do you say to those people? >> Look, put it away. Um I lost a really good friend. He used to hurt me a lot. I used to think about it, but then I just remember the good moments >> and so it doesn't hurt anymore. But I just you have to let it go, isn't it? It's time. >> Absolutely. >> Plus, I'm so busy with my own dreams and with my kids dreams and you know with plans and problems and solving and the new adventure, the new adventure that you tend to you need time to be waste. You need time to waste time, I guess. >> Yes, you need time to waste time. I don't have time to waste right now. Personal question. How do you build a company whilst raising children? >> We go back to the find the right partner. If you don't have the right partner, I think so you it's hard. I don't know how single parents can do it. It's hard. You know, the child care is so expensive. We bought a child care. It's next to the carrier. So, we don't know what we're going to do. Maybe we're going to build a building in the future. So, we bought it. So it's a great business childc carees but it's too expensive. So my wife she didn't stop to work because we have a lot of money. She stopped to work because it was no point. You know the childcare was too expensive and with two kids >> was the same money that she went to work for work as a receptionist or she stay at home. >> I love that because a lot of people I see on the internet they comment that about that and they say well I need I need some time for myself. It's like okay cool. You can swap out with your partner for a day or so, but kids everything in my belief. Anyway, in Russia, the mom stays at home. She takes care and then the father goes and hunts and collects the the bread or wins the bread. But here, it's like such a divide. It's a topic that's not really uh for for today's episode, but like I'm so glad to hear like that your wife, your partner is >> coming in clutch. What about business partners? >> Business partners? Uh I haven't have too many business partners. Now I have uh three. I've been blessed. Um it's super important to have the same values and super important to have trust. It's easy to trust when things go well is when things go well bad or it's difficult then you really see your partners. >> Yeah. >> And so I guess everything has to be really clear on paper super clear on paper again again until everything has to be real expectations you need to speak about what is going to happen when things go bad. Now every time we need to do something to behave to be careful if something go bad we don't we don't lose the friendship. we don't lose the it's not just the money it's also about the friendship because my mistake before I used to be too optimistic it's going to be okay going to be okay yeah and when things didn't go well we were not prepared we never discuss about it >> assumptions >> assumptions are the killer of any relationship you can't assume you have to really put it on the table you have to correspond you have to write it all down and you have to keep each other accountable saying hey we mentioned this and we spoke about this now this is happening remember that conversation we had here >> and if that doesn't exist who knows >> and I've had that happen so many times over the last few years and I was like documentation correspondence >> yes >> on paper in an email on a text message worst case scenario and just clarification because if you don't do that >> you might be in the wrong like I've been in the wrong so many times but because of documentation I'll be like ah Fair enough. I'm sorry. My bad. >> Let's let's let's go back. Or how can I fix this? Or how do we work through this? >> But what's frustrating is when they don't realize that they are wrong and there's clear evidence that the mistake was there. And it's not about fingerpointing. It's about working together to resolve it. but also hey this could have been avoided if we looked back at this and agreed you know >> 100% that's what is important for the franchise is the whole idea is to give the support yeah >> from the start and basically give the the support with when things go bad you know because you learn a lot when things go go wrong this where you have a lot of lessons and that cost a lot of money and if you can avoid >> to lose money in that basic things that is a Great start. Yeah. >> And support. Um surround yourself with a something help me a lot is also surround a lot with people similar minds like now subleasing is everybody like new in the industry. They have the energy the they willing to find a solution. They're willing to support each other is a great support. >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. I've got uh one segment I like to do um with my guests and we choose a specific topic and then we do like a little bit like a speed run at it. >> Okay. >> So this uh this uh app is called Podex. It's for podcasts and I want you to choose a topic. So scroll down. Don't click on it but just just let me know which one it is. And whilst you choose I'm just going to do an ad read. Shout outs to Where You uh who is our sponsor for the podcast. Where You is the best in the country when it comes to uh learning how to run meta ads for your business. They crush it. Uh Brandon um who you probably all have seen on Instagram and Facebook ads. He walks the walk, not just talks it. And his clients, all his students crush it. And the way that he does it all across two days and has your ads running and getting leads be by the time before you finish the lesson before you finish the session is incredible. So where you wh h e r e uh space u the letter u highly recommend. And then also Brightar Studios where this has been recorded. That's not an ad because I'm one of the co-founders. So if you want to use this space and you like this setup, hit us up. We'd love to have you. Which uh topic did you choose? >> That's my dad. >> That's my dad. Why should we only celebrate our dads on Father's Day? What a great moment. Cuz Father's Day, I'm about to have my first Father's Day ever. >> Oh, congratulations. >> On Sunday. >> And hopefully it's very low expectations because it's not a big thing. >> You know what? I'm having I'm taking her for her first swimming lesson on on that day. What a great day to do that. >> So, you're giving yourself a present. >> Absolutely. That's about all the Father's Day. >> All right, let's have a look. What's the most valuable life lesson your father taught you? >> Everything has a solution. >> Love that. Love that. >> Did your dad ever take you hunting or fishing? >> No. >> Mm- >> No. >> He's a doctor. >> He was a doctor. >> Yeah. He was he was hunting uh more patients to help. >> What's the secret to raising good kids? >> Uh giving the best example you can. Yeah. Example. >> Example. >> Is your dad open about his emotions? I know he's passed. >> No, he was >> very much. Yes. >> And how is that important uh to you now that you have children and showing your emotions? >> Well, I guess keep you real, you know, like make you a human. He was he was a doctor but he loved to help people. >> And also like he was always protecting us and he never he never put himself as a perfect. >> Yeah. >> And he always give us space like look do mistakes. We travel I moved to Brazil when I was 5 years. >> Yeah. >> And we start from zero and he say don't worry about this is your home is where we are and that was the best lesson ever. Another one. >> Do you have anything special that your dad gave you? Uh, I have some ties that he used to wear and sometimes I wearing special days. >> Yeah. Nice. Nice. Uh, did your dad yell at you a lot when you were a kid? >> Uh, no. But when he has to >> Yeah. >> enough people need to I think so kids needs to be yelled. >> What makes your kids uh what do Sorry. What do your kids do that makes you laugh? >> Uh, well kids I don't know. It's just different, you know. I have two kids and each kid is different. Um it's not nothing in particular just you know look I it's it's hard for me to say I I think so the well the truth is maybe I don't spend too much time with them you know I see in the morning I see in the afternoon it's just fun is just to play around so maybe you ask my wife she will spend all the time with them she will know more about them that's I think that's the price when you have your business you >> it's a sacrifice >> success does not exist without sacrifice price >> and your kids will appreciate it >> as long as you're living your best life, right? >> Final question. Can dad bods be sexy? >> Can >> dad bods be sexy? >> Well, I guess everything is about how you say beauty is behind the eye. >> Uh beauty is the is the eye of the beholder. >> Yes, I think so. Yes, has to be. I have another my friends say, "Look, Marcelo, don't worry about it about focus on your business. you your wife is not born yet. Have you heard about it? >> One of my friends always used to say, "Sev, beauty is only a light switch away. [laughter] Turn it off. Everyone's pretty." >> Well, it's just different, isn't it? You learn a lot of new things. Again, when you're young, it's all about physics, you know, aspects. I My wife, I fall in love because she has blue eyes. >> Yeah. >> And Ecuadorians, we all have brown eyes and black hair. >> Yeah. >> So, that's it. I wish I focus more in her dreams. I wish I I was lucky to be honest. I was not lucky the first time. Uh because you should ask this kind important question. You know, what is your dreams? What is going to be your best life? You want to have a family? You want to have your business? >> Still plenty of time for that. >> Yeah, still plenty of time, >> right? Thank you for coming in. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for the chats. Uh guys, uh Marcelo, how do we reach out to purchase car from you or get in touch? >> Uh we are in VPAR, we are in Mandra. Um we can search us on the website 3MT True Value Auto. >> Nice. Nice. And uh Workshop City, tell us about that. >> Workshop city. Uh we start for two years. Also are in Wool. Also we have a sell my car also in Wool and Victoria Park. And also we have a we import dash cameras and Apple plays with a company called automotive tech solutions and we also have we starting a partnership with the K finance and look it's more business to come. >> Nice. Love that. >> So so many aspects but uh if you found value on this episode uh leave a comment would love to know what you think whether it's on Spotify or on YouTube. If you're listening in uh the Apple Music, then yeah, on there, too. And uh yeah, would love to hear from you. As always, leave a review, five stars or feedback. If it's not five stars, I'd love the feedback so I can improve and then get your five stars in the next episode. And if you got this far, message me, DM me on Instagram, The Seo Show, or Sev's Pics, and comment the word 3MT. Uh yeah, to not get any prize. I just wanted to see if you paid attention this long for feedback. Love your work as always. Good. Thanks. Thank you, sir. [music] Here we go. Here we go. Here we go.