Omar J. White/Business Owner/The American Triumph Journal

Many Americans make huge investments of money and time into starting a new
business. Unfortunately, many times these hopeful entrepreneurs efforts do not pay
off. A 2008 report from the SBA (United States Small Business Agency) states that one
third of new businesses fail within the first two years of operation. The report also
estimates that 2007 ended with 560,300 businesses failing and 28,322 businesses filing
for bankruptcy. Omar J. White is a business owner who has beaten the odds.
Americantriumphjournal.com spoke with Omar J. White July 28, 2008; at time he was 32-
years-old. In the following paragraphs, his triumph will be celebrated.

White is the Sales Manager and owner of City to City Auto Sales LLC., located at 5020
Williamsburg Rd, Richmond, Va. There, he oversees the selling of used luxury vehicles.
City to City has been in business for three years. Previously located at 3402 Jefferson
Davis Highway, it opened it's doors on Williamsburg Rd. in May 2007 and since then,
White said, they have sold 270 cars as of July 2008. City to City offers various financing
options for all credit types and gives a 30 day, 1000 mile warranty on all vehicles sold;
other extended warranties are also available. White said, people come to his lot to find
good luxury vehicles at affordable prices. He said, he is proud to be a locally owned
business, supported by his community.

“I graduated from Highland Springs High School which is less than two miles from here,"
he said. "My mother was a factory worker for AT&T, (currently in the process of
becoming, The Shops at White Oak Village, shopping center) on the chemical side, and
that's less than three miles from here.”

White said, he was raised by his mother and she gave him his salesmanship.
While growing up, he said, he observed the qualities of being savvy, consistent and a
strong “get it done drive,” in his mother. The idea of working for himself started very
early. At the age of eight, he said, he was selling “icebergs,” (pop sickles) and when he
was a teenager he along with other kids in the neighborhood worked together to cut
lawns. His mother, he said, was very encouraging for him, as he pursued becoming an
entrepreneur. It was his mother who introduced him to the car business.

White is a graduate of St. Augustine's College located at 1315, Oakwood Ave, Raleigh,
NC. He majored in accounting. Upon his graduation, White became a commissioned
officer in the Army, however there was a four month interim before he could start
service. During this time he was living with his mother and he said, she told him he had
to work during the interim. She had a connection at a car dealership and White soon
found himself working there as a salesman.

“I fell in love with the business,” he said.

Early on, while working as a car salesman, he knew he would own his own dealership.
He said, he became a student of the business. He climbed through all the positions
within a dealership, sometimes requiring him to take a pay cut.

“As a salesman I made more money than my manager,” he said.

White has worked for Dick Keffer Pontiac GMC in Charlotte, NC. and Priority Toyota in
Chester, VA. He has worked as a salesman, finance manager, sales manager and
general manager. Some of his positions in management paid less than his commissions
as a salesman. He said, he took the management positions because he felt he needed
the experience for when he would own his own dealership. He said, he considered the
pay cut as tuition cost.

“It wasn't free but today I can say it was all worth it,” he said referring to the sacrifices he
made to start his business.

Launching his dealership, was not a smooth ride. City to City was not his first attempt at
owning a dealership. He sites cash flow, credit, getting business loans, poor planning
and location as obstacles. It was a learn as you go process for White and he said,
knowing is half the battle. He shared some of what he learned about getting a business
loan.

“It's a misconception that you are going to put together a business plan and that people
(banks) are going to fork over a lot of money," White said. "They want to see results.
They want to see something that you've already done that proves you can deliver on
your plan."

In the end, White discovered that he didn't need a business loan. City to City was
launched, he said, with a small personal loan for $10,000 along with personal savings.
After being turned down for loans, White said, he started putting away money from each
check to start his business.

Today, White owns a five bedroom home in Varina, Va. He shares his home with his
wife, Ladonna and their three children. He has been married for five years. He
completed his reserve duty for the Army in 2006 and retained the rank of Captain. He is
a believer in Jesus Christ and an active member of St. Paul's Baptist Church located at
4247 Creighton Rd., Richmond Va.

July 28, 2008

The American Triumph Journal is a free online magazine.

Omar J. White

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