Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Wells.
Hi Eric, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Project Motorsports began as Project M, a group of Mazdaspeed3 owners and car enthusiasts. We attended car meets, worked on our cars, and planned local events. We quickly realized we wanted more involvement in the car community, and a business idea started forming. We started making aero parts for our and our friend’s cars from our shed in the backyard. People liked our products, and it became apparent that we could make something more like Project M. In 2018, Project Motorsports was formed to encompass more than just Mazdas, and we started to add more parts to our product line. Most of our initial sales came locally and from Facebook groups; we then worked alongside Lorenzo Rodriguez of Mazdaspeed Nation, and his extensive Instagram reach helped us launch our business to the next level. Our next step was building our website; this allowed us to begin selling products all over the US and Canada. From there, we got our first commercial shop space, started taking on build projects, and became parts distributors. This year, we launched our new website and expanded from selling our aero line to selling thousands of other parts.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Starting a small business is a challenge, no matter your background. Luckily, we come from a family of entrepreneurs who have encouraged us to make wise growth decisions. Part of this was staying the day job for a while. I was in the automotive dealership industry for 8 years, working long hours and then going home to work on Project Motorsports. Building this business came with sacrifices, working weekends, late nights, early mornings, saving up to buy equipment, and more. As with any small business, you have to handle many different jobs, which can be challenging at times. You must be willing to try new things, fail, and try again.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We design and manufacture aerodynamic parts for cars, distribute parts, and do custom car builds for local clients. We specialize in imports, muscle, and luxury sports cars. We’re all about creating community. We care about the feeling you get when working on a project, seeing it come together, and enjoying it. We’re not here to sell car parts; we’d rather sell the feeling you get when doing something you’re passionate about. That’s what we’re here for, and that’s why we keep growing and changing this business for our clients. Customer service is one of the most essential things in business. We learned that early on, and it remains at the core of our business today. We work hard to connect with our clients on a more personal level to make their experience great and create a lasting relationship. We are thrilled about our new website and our ability to provide our clients with thousands more parts to shop, supporting their projects in a much bigger way.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
When running a small business, there is always so much to learn. We’re still learning even now! Know when to do things independently and when to ask for help. Learn how to communicate with others who are different from you; coming from the dealership world, we were taught the DISC assessment, and it’s something we use daily to communicate with clients and provide customer service at a high level. Customer service isn’t a one-size-fits-all; an individualized approach shows clients that you care about them. Don’t be scared to take risks; that’s where the biggest rewards come in.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.project-motorsports.com
- Instagram: @project_m_
