Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerald Brown.
Gerald, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was released from a Texas prison approximately six years ago and paroled back to my home state of Oklahoma. After being away for almost five years I returned home to little to no financial assistance. The only things that remained from my stint in prison was my 1983 Cutlass and my clothes. My uncle allowed me to live with him until I was able to get back on my feet. While in prison I studied & created several plans for me to achieve self-employment. Being on parole presented me with several difficulties; I owed over $35,000 in back child support, low credit score, no money, no job, and dealing with the stigma of being an ex-felon. I had created several plans but they all required capital so my first goal was to try to secure the necessary funds to get things rolling. The only thing of value I had was my 1983 cutlass which was in pristine condition so I knew that I could easily get at least $3,000 for it.
I sold my car for $3,500 and used that money to purchase a few necessities, but I made sure that I kept enough to go purchase another vehicle at a wholesale price. At the time I didn’t know ANYONE in the car business so I went to an area in Oklahoma City which is known for selling cheap cars and went looking for a car I could purchase. I went to a small car lot named Amigo Land owned by a Mexican man named Isaac. He sold me a 2004 Chevy Impala for $1,500 and six days later I sold it for $2,500. I went back to Isaac and bought another car for around the same price and sold it for over $3,000. I went back and bought two cars and less than two weeks I sold them both. I was buying & selling cars so frequently that after about three months I went back to Isaac to purchase a few cars but he didn’t have anything available to sell me. It was a Thursday and he told me that I could go with him to the auction the following day to purchase a few cars. I had NEVER been to an auction before.
The next morning we went to the auction and that’s when my life changed drastically. I went to the auction with $3,500 cash with the intention of purchasing at least two good vehicles but ended up purchasing four. The same cars that I was buying from Isaac for $1,500 I was getting for less than half that price, so by coming directly to the source I was cutting out the middle man’s price. I never purchased another vehicle from Isaac but I am still eternally grateful to him for introducing me to a way for me to provide for my family. After going to the auction that first time I went practically every Friday afterward. It started kinda slow but it quickly progressed to the point where I had at least 12 vehicles parked sporadically in the apartment complex I was living in.
After a year of constant grinding my life & financial situation quickly changed for the better. I am no longer on parole, I no longer owe ANY back child support, I have a good credit score, and I am a very good provider to all six of my children. As of 2019, I am the proud owner/operator of 5 small businesses; 2 car lots, detail shop, event center, and a barbershop, I’m a firm believer & practicer of helping to improve the conditions of my community. I employ & mentor several ex-felons and host entrepreneur meetings where I teach my method of success to people with a similar background as me. I have a book that I’m writing that will soon to be released titled ‘The Proof’ because with all of the obstacles and misinformation that is constantly being spread about what a black man who has been to prison three times can & can’t do, I’m the proof that you can succeed despite.
Has it been a smooth road?
There where plenty of obstacles but I was determined not give in to the temptation to resort back to any negative behavior or associations.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Redemption Auto – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I own two small used car dealerships and my daily tasks consists of attending auctions and purchasing low-cost vehicles. I buy low so I can sell low and get a quick return on my money. I’m proud of the fact that I get a lot of love & support from my family and members of my community. And what sets me apart from the average car dealership is that I take care of my customers. Although all of my vehicles are sold as-is I still stand behind my product and try to help my customers as best I can within reason.
Contact Info:
- Address: Redemption Auto LLC
4840 N.W 10th St.
Oklahoma City 73127
Facebook: Steven G BrownNips Barber & Hair Salon
3917 N.W 10th St.
Oklahoma City 73107
(405)754-9017 - Phone: 14059242788
- Email: redemptionautollc@gmail.com
- Instagram: OkcMagic
- Facebook: Steven G Brown
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