Interview with the owners of NVUSXO, Lifestyle Clothing Brand

Brand: NVUSXO

Base of Operations: San Leandro, CA.

Owners: Scott and Brandon

1.  When did you create NVUSXO?

Brandon: We actively started getting our designs produced about 9 months ago. The idea and development of the NVUSXO started a year ago.

2. What is the inspiration for your brand’s creative direction?

Scott: We try to be minimal as possible with our graphics and designs. The whole meaning of NVUSXO and how we want people to understand us is love. People are going to either love or hate us. So we decided to play off the idea of envying us, with love. Hence, NVUSXO.

4. What is the essence of your brand in three words?

Brandon: We The Best.

Scott: Honest. Universal. Simple.

 5. Do you see your brand expanding in other countries?

Brandon: Fasho. We are already shipping orders to Brazil, Australia, and Europe.

6. What do you want people to think or feel when they’re wearing NVUSXO?

Scott: Love for themselves. Love, period.

Brandon: Like a trendsetter, someone special, and someone who matters. We want them to feel like someone who has a purpose and knows it.

7.  Do you have any ideas for brand extensions?

Brandon: Yes. We’re in the process of developing clothes for infants.

Scott: We’re also developing specialty items for our female brand like socks, leggings, and dressier tops. 

(Top: Brandon, Right: Scott) 

Nicosia Trucking, INC, with Matt Nicosia (CEO)

  

      About: Nicosia Trucking is one of the leading trucking companies in the Portland/ Vancouver Metropolitan area. We take pride in every delivery we do. We are always on time with a fair price that customers can feel good about paying in these hard economical times. No matter what, the customer leaves satisfied with our work, even if it is at our expense. The leading growth of Nicosia Trucking has be done on customer referrals. We encourage new customers to give us a chance in proving to you how we do business and ask you to give us a call and become part of the Nicosia Trucking family.

   
S: How did the idea for your business come about?
     
M: I talked to a guy that was doing it, and asked questions after question after question, starting with what do your sales look like yearly?

S: How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?

M: I started off hiring a friend that I could trust, then I hired his friends, that he could trust, then their friends and so on. 

S: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing? 

M: Word of mouth, no salesman, start off getting 10-15 customers yourself, then on the bill of ladings that the driver fills out when doing a pick up at one of the 10-15 customers, he gives them one of the three carbon copies, so they have proof of delivery. Then when he drops off the delivery to someone that is not our 10-15 customers, and that business signs for the delivery, the driver gives them one of the carbon copies of the bill of ladings with all of our information on it (business name, phone number, etc..) After a couple times of this process, other businesses want to know what this company is all about and how much do they charge for deliveries.

S: What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them? 

M: Don't ever hire employees. Only hire independent contractors. This will save you from a lot of hardships, and put a ton more money in your pocket. Make sure you don't treat them like an employee and pay them like an independent contractor. My biggest hardship has been insurance claims, and almost all my insurance claims have been from backing up. Every time I hire a new independent contractor, I let them know ways past contractors have incorrectly done something and how to prevent that from happening.
  
S: What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?

M: Quit going to college!! Unless you have so much love for something and are focusing on a special field, at the end of the day, it's what makes you happy. For some like myself, it's the money, and for some the money doesn't matter, but if you are going to college just to figure out what you want to do first. If your special field is just to get you your desired salary or income, you're wasting your money! Take that money and start a small business, stick to what you know how to do, car detailing business, landscaping company, etc... 

I had a kid (16 years old) that shampooed my carpets at my rental house. He charged me 250.00. I asked him how many houses he does a day. He told me 4-6! I almost fell over! I have learned that it takes very little effort to make the same amount of money as I would as an employee if you just start your own business. I mean, just think about that kid. Let's just say he only did 1 house a day, he probably profited around $200.00 per house after he paid for his supplies. To be an employee and bring home $200.00 after tax, you would need to make $40.00 an hour. 

If you really want to get rich quick, invent something! You don't even have to invent something new. Invent anything that makes anything, faster, safer or more green. Get on one of these categories, for example, safety. Take out a notepad, write down all the ways people get hurt. Then find a way to make something that would solve one of those problems. Another great way to come up with an invention, let's say something that annoys you (dropping your phone down the crack of your seat in your car) or whatever the scenario is, and think of how this drives other people nuts, then come up with a solution. Make sure whatever the invention is, it has to be simple. Anything complex will cost way to much money to make. You have to be able to make a prototype yourself. Then once you have a prototype, patent it and sell it to a company that does this kind of thing. Going retail and putting on the shelves yourself will cost too much money. License it to a company and set up a royalty, so you get a check every quarter for not having to do any of the work. 

Hope this helps. Good luck. The main piece of advice is always take a risk, make sure it is calculated, but take the risk!

No Bull Here!

MATADOR MOTORS

Get to Know THIS couple with A DREAM

  Vivian and Jose Garcia are a Sacramento couple who live the American dream of being an entrepreneur couple. They own a car dealership located in South Sacramento, called Matador Motors. The Garcia's have over 35 years of experience in the automobile industry, in which both bring a level of expertise to their business. Jose started his career in the auto industry first at Salinas Toyota in 1989 in Salinas, California. Jose quickly promoted to Elk Grove Toyota as Sales Manager leading Elk Grove Toyota to amazing sales in 2007, then advanced to General Sales Manager at Florin Road Kia in 2008. Jose left Kia and ventured to Fairfield, and became the General Manager at Momentum Dodge Chrysler Jeep. On other hand, Vivian worked at Elk Grove Toyota as the Lead Receptionist in 2004, and promoted as the Contract Clerk for Elk Grove Toyota until 2010. In addition to Vivian working full time, Vivian attended college earning an Associate's degree in Business at Sacramento City College, and her Bachelor's degree at Sacramento State College for Accounting in 2011. The Garcia's left their jobs, and opened their first car dealership celebrating their One Year Anniversary for business in July 2014.

I chose to interview The Garcia's because their  business is quickly growing, due to their knowledge and business plans. The Garcia's are different to other dealership because they cater especially to the Hispanic community needs, and understands how to make their customers happy. Vivian and Jose Garcia have a vision for their business and are successfully achieving their goals.

Picture Above: Vivian and Jose Garcia 

 Me:  What inspired you to go in business for yourself? Have you ever worked for anyone else, and if so did this trigger you to become your own boss?

Vivian: We wanted freedom and independence. Working for an employer we worked for a paycheck. Working for ourselves we work for a profit and our future. You take pride in your work. It's about a quality of life. After all, no one got rich from playing it safe, you need to take risks.

 Me:Being an entrepreneur is all about taking risks, what is the biggest risk that you think you have taken since being an entrepreneur, and have you experienced any regrets and successes?

Vivian:I would say, it's taking 100% responsibility of the outcome good or bad. You don't just have yourself, you have employees that your performance affects directly.

Me:Who do you go to for support to reassure if you are making the right decisions for your business? Also, do you have a role model that inspires you?

Vivian:Having gone into business through our marriage, we depend on each other. We respect each others feedback. We also have a small group whom we are mentored by. One is a retired controller for a large auto group in the Bay Area. The other is a close friend who also owns a similar business. They influence us and help us make educated decisions.

Photo above: Jose Garcia in commercial clip for Matador Motors

Me:When did you start your first business? Do you see yourself expanding to own more in another business venture?

Vivian:Will be one year in July. Let me say, it went so fast! We see ourselves expanding to different locations and into complimentary business such as service repairs and consignment.

Me:What are you passionate about? Also, where do you see yourselves in 5 years with your business and/or as an entrepreneur?

Vivian: In 5 years I hope to own 3 dealerships. Hopefully a franchise dealership versus independently owned.

I'm passionate about financial security and success for my family.

Goodbye to L’Wren Scott

http://www.thefashpack.net/lwren-scott-cancels-show/

Another member of our family has left, fashion designer L’Wren Scott, died on Monday March 17, 2014. New York City medical examiner’s office said the cause of death was suicide. Scott’s completed autopsy reported she hung herself. She was found dead by her assistant in her apartment located in Manhattan by her assistant. Scott was kneeling with a scarf that was wrapped around her neck tied to a French door handle. 

http://everythingriverregion.com/?p=10477

Her longtime boyfriend since 2001 Mick Jagger, who is front man of the Rolling Stones is struggling with the reality of his “lover and best friend” passing. The Stones seven-date tour was canceled for Australia and New Zealand, Mick’s band mates biggest priority right now is to support him through this difficult and confusing time, Jagger doesn’t understand why she would end her life.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-lwren-scott-death-designer-mick-jagger-20140317,0,3745007.story#axzz2xDNM6CTA

Scott was preparing to announce the closing of her business. The fashion label founded by L’Wren Scott was in substantial debt. The businesses liabilities were over $5.9 million as of December 31, 2012. She canceled her London Fashion Show, during last month’s London Fashion Week, due to production delays. The first collection was called “Little Black Dress” launched in 2006. “Headmistress” is one of her well recognized dress worn by Madonna. First Lady Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie are a few of many celebrities that wore her designs. L’Wren Scott was a woman with an undeniable presence, and multi talented, she died at the age of 49.