Today we’d like to introduce you to Malcolm R. Gage Jr.
Malcolm, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My career in the car business actually started as a suggestion from someone that has been a friend to me for over 20 years. I actually sat out of college for a semester, and during this period of discovery, my initial idea was to just work in a clothing store (I loved nice clothing) and then head back to school after the summer. It was at the request of my best friend, Marc Young, who had just graduated the previous semester that I should explore the car business. He was working at a local Ford dealership as his family had been in the auto industry for several years. Initially, I thought that this was not for me. Although I loved automobiles, it just wasn’t an industry I could see myself in, however, I decided I would give it a try. Marc insisted that my “gift of gab” would serve me well in this business!
As a student, I had one suit, a couple of nice ties, and dress shoes. I got dressed in my Sunday best and headed to the Ford store to see what the future held in store for me. After interviewing with several managers, they hired me on the spot. As a young, 20 y/o kid that didn’t even know how to drive a manual transmission, I was placed into a room with a former wrestler, a stack of product books and told to learn the product as I would start selling in a couple of days. It was an interesting learning experience, and I would spend my open weekends and evenings shopping other dealers to learn more about my trade and also enhance my own abilities. As time went on, and my talents strengthened, I was the best salesperson in the store by the 4th month. However; I yearned to work with more exclusive and higher end brands because I felt more suited towards them.
One evening, during my discovery sessions, I came across a new luxury dealer that had just opened a new Lincoln/Mercury dealer, Ford’s “high-end” brand. Instead of shopping for them to learn, I asked about a job and was hired that evening. From that evening forward, it was history and a whirlwind. I went back to SMU, graduated while working full time running the dealerships internet department that I helped to create. I constructed many of the processed for internet sales for Ford Motor Company and was featured at NADA. I became the top sales consultant in the country from many of Lincoln’s newest products and was soon promoted to a manager.
As I continued to gain accolades and grow in my profession, I realized the auto industry would be my career. I had been with the current dealer for over 8 years, but I still yearned for even more. After some job exploration, I came across an amazing individual with Park Place Dealerships. She was as enthusiastic about me, as I was about having the opportunity to work for such a prestigious and well-recognized dealer organization. After multiple interviews and dozens of conversations, I started my career with Park Place in November of 2005. Since then, I have learned so much more than I could have ever imagined and I’m proud to work with an organization that is focused on such excellence. My journey with Park Place started with Mercedes-Benz, then to Volvo, and now my current dealership, Park Place Premier Collection, one of the country’s largest collections of world-class brands under one roof. As the Sales Director, I oversee our Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, and Bugatti brands. This list is still growing as well. I have received numerous awards and achievements throughout this tenure, but one of my most loved is when I was recognized as the first Sales Manager of the Year, by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. This was the first time this award was presented to someone and I’m extremely proud of this achievement.
During my tenure at Park Place, I have led my team to global recognition as the Top McLaren retailer globally consecutively, in addition to the North American Retailer of the Year for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Furthermore, I am also President and Managing Partner of Ophelia’s New Soul, a modern soul food restaurant that competed during prime time television on Food Network’s “Food Court Wars” and emerged victorious, awarding my business partner and I a space in Collin Creek Mall located in Plano, Texas for one year rent free. The successful restaurant landed itself national and international acclaim for its soulful classics with a healthy and modern interpretation. The business is currently available for a franchise and internationally trademarked.
In addition, I also spend a large part of my time focused on numerous civic and philanthropic organizations. In 2013 I was recognized by DIFFA Dallas as a Style Council Ambassador, a group comprised of the city’s top influencers and activists each year. I was also recognized as a “Distinguished Alumni” from the Southern Methodist University, Black Alumni Association. My current focus is on numerous humanitarian efforts are the Human Rights Campaign, Immigration Equality, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Equality Texas, and many others. Lastly, I’m honored to serve as the Co-Chair for the TrevorLIVE Gala, benefiting the Trevor Project in New York in a few weeks. This is a star-studded, celebrity filled event that is helping to raise funds for an organization that I’m extremely passionate about.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been struggles and the road to success has not been an easy one. I had numerous setbacks that at the time, I didn’t know if there was a path out of them. However, because I have such an amazing network of friends and support around me, I’ve been able to find a route each time to get back on top. I think in any business there are struggles and challenges, it’s how you manage your way through them and what you learn and discovers during that journey which helps to make you a better person.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m very proud of our dealership and Park Place has truly distinguished itself from other automotive retailers as it relates to client experience, innovation, and ownership of our world-class automobiles. I currently serve as the New Car Sales Director for Park Place Premier Collection. Not only are we known for our exclusive and exotic automotive offerings, but also for our dedication to offering world-class experiences. Just because of the nature of our brands, we are expected to excel in every way, and I’m proud to work with a team focused on delivering excellence each and every day.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas is the perfect place for our dealership! People are always surprised when I tell them that we have been McLaren Global Dealer of the Year twice, and Rolls-Royce North American Dealer of the Year twice. They always think, is Dallas a strong enough market for these brands, and they are. We are consistently in the Top 5-10% of dealers across the country in all of our brands. If someone was just beginning in this business, I would not suggest these brands to begin. It’s important in this business to develop a base understanding, and also work on polishing your skills. These brands require lots of patience and the ability to think outside of the box, so it’s important to have some knowledge prior to exploring them more.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5300 Lemmon Ave
- Website: www.parkplace.com
- Phone: 214-849-5355
- Email: mgage@parkplace.com
- Instagram: @bentleydallas @rollsroycedallas @maseratidallas @mclarendallas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkPlacePremierCollection/
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