Wie läuft mein Autohandel nach 3 Monaten?

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares an update on their transport vehicle business, discussing how they've grown from leasing a space to managing a range of vehicles for sale and repair. They also talk about balancing their professional and personal life, including the challenges of managing multiple employees, rising costs, and the pressure of running a business. While exploring personal struggles with mental health, they reflect on the rewarding aspects of entrepreneurship and the importance of finding a healthy work-life balance. The video also includes a giveaway of a luxury car and highlights some ongoing projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is sharing updates about their vehicle dealership business, focusing on the challenges and progress made in the past few months.
• 😀 The business began with renting an old warehouse from the speaker's father and has been expanding, but with some challenges regarding stock management and the costs associated with growing the business.
• 😀 Initially, the speaker pushed hard to increase inventory to 60 vehicles but later scaled back as the operations became too overwhelming to manage with the existing staff.
• 😀 Vehicles in the inventory range from 2015 to 2019, including various models such as Caddys, Citroën, Traffics, and Vivaros, with a few special vehicles like a 2017 CLA 180.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, the speaker has managed to sell around 30 to 35 vehicles in 3 months, covering their fixed costs, and finds satisfaction in the business.
• 😀 The speaker's business partner, Steven, has been less involved in hands-on work and now focuses more on YouTube content, leading to the hiring of an additional mechanic to manage daily operations.
• 😀 The speaker discusses a unique project involving a 2020 Sprinter, which is being considered for conversion into a camper van, in line with their personal goal to buy a motorhome this year.
• 😀 A giveaway is being held for a 2016 S500 car, with the promotion running through the speaker's shop, highlighting the business's marketing efforts to attract customers.
• 😀 There are ongoing discussions about leasing out parts of the warehouse, including talks with a camper van rental company and machinery dealers, with the goal of finding the right long-term tenant.
• 😀 The speaker opens up about the mental and physical toll of running the business, including the high stress of managing 30,000 EUR in monthly fixed costs, and acknowledges the need for better work-life balance while still recognizing the positive aspects of their entrepreneurial journey.

Q & A

What was the initial strategy for the van trading business?

The initial strategy was to acquire a large number of vans quickly to cover fixed costs such as rent, salaries, and insurance. Within the first six weeks, the inventory was aggressively increased to 60 vehicles.

Why did the speaker decide to scale down the inventory of vans?

The speaker realized that managing more than 30 vehicles became too overwhelming with just one person in the office and one in the workshop. As a result, they decided to stop expanding the inventory and only purchased new stock as vehicles were sold.

What kind of vehicles does the business focus on selling?

The business deals with a range of used vans, including models like the VW Caddy, Citroën, Traffics, Vivaros, and also some passenger vehicles like the 2017 CLA 180. The vehicles are typically between 2015 and 2019 models, and they focus on well-maintained vehicles with TÜV certification.

How has the speaker's staffing situation changed recently?

The speaker hired an additional mechanic to manage daily operations in the workshop, allowing Steven, who was previously involved in everything, to focus more on YouTube content creation.

What is the current status of the giveaway mentioned in the video?

The speaker is running a giveaway for a 2016 S500, and viewers can participate by placing an order on their shop. The contest ends that evening, with the car being live-drawn on YouTube.

What are the key features of the 2016 S500 being given away?

The 2016 S500 is equipped with a 4.7L V8 Biturbo engine, 180,000 km on the odometer, and a complete AMG facelift, including 20-inch AMG wheels, a panoramic roof, S63 AMG performance features, massage seats, and more.

What challenges does the speaker face with their business?

The speaker is overwhelmed by the high fixed costs, which amount to 30,000 EUR per month. Despite having built a successful business, the pressure of constant work and the mental toll it takes on them are major challenges.

How has the speaker's work-life balance been affected by their business?

The speaker admits to working excessively, often being mentally consumed by work even during personal moments. This imbalance has led to concerns about their health and well-being, as they feel they're not working for themselves anymore.

How does the speaker feel about their achievements and the pressures they face?

While the speaker acknowledges the success of their business and the freedoms it provides, they also struggle with the pressure to keep everything running smoothly. They’re trying to find a way to manage the stress and maintain a healthier mindset.

What happened with the speaker’s old Instagram account?

The speaker’s original Instagram account, which they had built over 10 years, was hacked. They’re currently working with a lawyer to recover the account, which had not only business-related content but also personal memories, conversations, and archived posts.