Meet Wayne Wilder | Independent auto dealer and performance shop owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wayne Wilder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wayne, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After being in Corporate sales for the past 27 years, one thing that really stood out for me was the question, “what is my value to my family and community?” When you work for a company(s) that are focused on velocity and enterprise sales, they assign metrics on you and rarely take the time to get to know your character and understand you as a person. They don’t invest in the human element. Therefore, it’s difficult for them to assign a value to the employee other than a metric that they can track and measure. I had reached a point in my life where it was time for me to invest back into myself where I could actually help others, be of value to my community and earn a living that would take care of my family’s needs with integrity. The path forward to achieve this was for me to ask, what were my real skills, what was I actually good at naturally (aptitude) and what did I love to do? I found myself spending my spare time working on cars with my son, Colton. It progressed from a hobby to being an enthusiast, and ultimately to a business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
How did I start my career? I moved to New York City after I graduated college from Baylor. Like many who have gone before me, I had maybe 4 weeks of cash in my pocket. It was a huge risk as I didn’t have any family or friends who were in a position to help me find work. I interviewed with focus and passion and was able to land my first Corporate sales job within 30 days of arriving. I have always been grateful and excited to have achieved a real career in Manhattan. What sets me apart is my Faith. This is how I overcome my challenges. I’m a doer. I’m the guy who has a vision, does his research and then goes for it. None of it has been easy! It’s been hard work and has required a lot of prayer and focus. This is how I overcame fear, anxiety, it gave me the ability to ignore those who don’t believe in me or didn’t support me. Few will believe in you, so you must believe in yourself first. The lessons are many, but what I hold close to my chest is the following: 1) Know yourself 2) Know your aptitude 3) Ask the hard questions (what are you trying to achieve?) 4) What are you willing to risk to WIN. What I want the world to know, based on my life experience, is that people fail and fail all the time. This is not a bad thing. Learn from failure, it’s a great teacher. The main lesson to learn about success is to not quit. Do not give up when things get really difficult. That is caving in to fear and self-doubt and that’s what everyone expects from those who live by faith, take risks and are going for it. My story is simple, just never give up. Pursue what you LOVE. Know yourself, what you’re naturally good at and what you love to do. Listen to your heart and don’t apologize for it. Know the lessons from those who have been crazy successful, they have a story to tell as well.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I’d invite them into my home and make sure they were comfortable. Instead of taking them to a fancy restaurant, my family would prepare and cook an amazing dinner to celebrate their arrival and for us enjoy their fellowship and catch up on their life. For the rest of their stay, I would take them to my favorite places where I have fun, such as taking them to off road riding near the Red River, where we take SXS’s and travel deep into the trails and ride through creeks and rivers. Getting away from the busy city and being kids again, laughing out loud and enjoying an adventure. I’d then take them on a rally drive to see some great country roads with a small group of other drivers and enjoy the sights, experience epic views with fast and fun driving. I think finding time to play and explore is very important. We all need to get away, laugh out loud and find healing, while also creating real memories.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I will take this opportunity to give all the credit to Jesus. Every great moment in my life, from meeting my wife, Robin, to having my children to creating real success in business has all been tied to my faith. Because of this, I have learned to fully trust in faith and to ask Jesus to lead me. I have chosen to surround myself with mentors who are Christ followers, who are also successful entrepreneurs and business owners. These are people who have done it, are doing it and moving forward with success in their personal life and in their business. My wife Robin has always stood by me, watched my fall down, make mistakes and she never made me feel less of a man. Apart from Jesus, she’s my rock. We share everything when it comes to our faith, our ideas, desires and the type of life we want for our family. In addition to my wife, I want to recognize Tony Guerra who is in the automotive business, he specializes in lifts and heavy equipment. He knew me before I started Paradise-Performance and has been an integral part of its success. Tony has been a real friend and mentor, he has gone above and beyond to help my business and is also a strong man of faith. Also, Jose Mendoza, another professional in the automotive business who has gone the extra mile for me, he isa great mentor and sounding board. I talk to both Tony and Jose all the time to share ideas, opportunities and also discuss our faith.

Website: www.paradise-performance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradise.performance/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynewilder/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParadisePerformanceLLC/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Paradise-Performance