Today we’d like to introduce you to Darric Sewell.
Hi Darric, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My story begins back in my hometown of Greenville, SC. Being the first in my family to graduate college, I pursued a criminal justice degree. However, after graduating, I realized that my true passion was in sales. On my first day on the lot, I was hooked on the business, and by age 30, I was running two stores. After several ups and downs, the universe threw me a curve ball in 2009. The recession forced us to close, and through that process, I learned a lot, including just how much others depend on you. Fast forward a few years, and I was introduced to James Benson, who allowed me to manage several of his stores. In 2018 I was approached by General Motors for an opportunity in O’Fallon. Against all odds, we put in months of research and countless hours of presentation prep and were ultimately awarded a new site in Missouri. Good things come to those who chase their dreams, and every morning as I turn on our lights, I am thankful for the opportunities I was able to capitalize on.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I distinctly remember one experience that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I had finally made a name for myself in the car business. To celebrate my record-breaking month, the dealership owner took our team to the nicest restaurant in the area. Once we all sat down, I was asked to make the wine selection. At the time, I didn’t even know the difference between a white and a red; I certainly didn’t know how to pronounce the varietal. As I looked around, my heart sank; embarrassment came over me. I quickly realized that there will always be some people who put you in uncomfortable positions, not to better you, but to put you down and make you the example. I made a pact with myself, right then and there, that I would not only learn new things for personal advancement, but I will also dedicate my time to giving others these experiences, so they don’t fall victim to the same embarrassment. I learned power could be used for good or evil, and I choose good EVERY TIME.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about O’Fallon Buick GMC?
I often refer to it as the three P’s; People, Product, and Process, with the largest focus on people. Business professionals often focus on customer service and how to achieve the highest quality customer service; however, I’ve realized that if you treat your employees right, the rest will take care of themselves. At O’Fallon Buick GMC, we take care of our employees. They are at the forefront of our decisions. We always consider how any change will affect our staff, first and foremost, and a byproduct of putting them first is that they, in turn, always put the customer first. They get to know and become friends with them, and we even have some drop-off gifts. With those values at the forefront, we have been truly blessed by the community and can’t wait to see what the future holds for our people, products, and processes.
Let’s end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
One word, family. They aren’t always blood, but they are my backbone of me. They are your support system, drive to do better, and the reason to keep going after several roadblocks. I embrace every opportunity to meet people in the grocery store, on the treadmill, or in my dealership. You never know who or what will come from a conversation or who might become part of my family. As long as you have family, nothing else matters. I often joke that if it wasn’t for my family, I could be on South Beach selling lemonade, but until then, I will settle for the frigid cold winters in Missouri.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ofallonbuickgmc.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darric.sewell
