Today we’d like to introduce you to Dushan Galic.
Dushan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got in the car business, literally, by accident…I was working at a local hospital as a counselor on a psychiatric unit at the time earning lower tax bracket wages I found myself replacing a junk car I was driving at the time at the local Ford dealership where, at some point, my sales person suggested that I apply for a job there. “To do what?” I asked. “To sell cars,” he replied.
That was in March of 2005. I applied, Amazingly, I was hired that day. Over the course of several years the business “got in my blood,” as the elder statesmen of my dealership warned me would happen. I excelled at sales, became a manager and did a great job (so I was told).
In 1998 I had a chance to purchase an existing small used car business in Hammond, IN and did that for 6 years. Later, I was recruited to open Hillside Motors for an investment firm from Hillside, IL at the time which I did in July of 2005. In 2007 the same firm decided to pursue other interests and decided to sell Hillside Motors which I purchased in March of 2007.
Has it been a smooth road?
Everything went well as long as I was in control of my business. Once my family got involved, it’s all been downhill ever since. I struggle every day to pay my bills, to keep my sanity, and to persevere for just one more day.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Hillside Motors story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a small independent car agency in NW Indiana. Vast majority of our business is cash (typically in the range of $3000 to $8000).
I pride myself on my honesty and integrity of everything we do here. There are no unhappy customers at Hillside. If the customer becomes so dissatisfied with their purchase, I refund their money.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The shift is towards internet sales. As small as we are we really don’t have a need for a traditional lot any more. All roads in the automobile industry are leading towards easy financing options and internet purchase. The days of yore, when a customer would drive from dealer to dealer to find just the right car are over. Now the computer can do that in minutes.
Pricing:
- Typical price range of our cars in $3000 to $8000.
- Median purchase price is around $5000.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1212 W. U. S. Hwy. 30
Schererville, IN 46375 - Website: www.hillsidemotorsonline.com
- Phone: 219-322-7700
- Email: sales@hillsidemotorsonline.com
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