1 min. with a Superhero: Naeem Mayet from Autostyle.co.za
by Fred Roed on 09/04/09 at 6:30 am
5 comments
This morning, we chat to Naeem Mayet. We’re big fans of Naeem, since he represents the quintessential entrepreneur. Everytime we meet him (usually at the Heavy Chef Sessions), he’s started another new business, selling everything from energy drinks and custom car stuff, to golf balls and soccer balls. His main thing is Autostyle, which sells automotive accessories – the stuff you see in Fast & Furious – Naeem and his crew sells all of that on his website. Autostyle.co.za is a 3 time winner of Best Automotive Website in ZA.
What else are you up to Naeem?
I run a bunch of personal projects of mine which include an Islamic article/news site, a little car community, and I sometimes freelance for small businesses, setting up their website and showing them to ropes on maintaining their websites.
I also have an email system which services non-profits. As we speak, I’m also busy wrapping up a website for an orphanage from my old hometown. Learning new things, staying abreast with web trends and, as cliche as it sounds now, social media. It all keeps the rust away i guess!
What makes your business different?
Autostyle is family run, honest & ethical, remain liquid at all times. Personally, money is not an ultimate goal, nothing beats that sense of accomplishment. Saying to yourself “Yeah I did that!”
What education do you have?
I’ve got a matric, plus a one year graphic web diploma. I also did a three month photography thing, which has proven to be a fantastic skill! The rest is from the University of Life.
Tell us one disaster story…
Recently, some Turkish hacker guys crippled our site. It meant downtime for nearly
5 hours!
What kind of customers are you looking for?
Ones who understand that nothing happens overnight. Building a car, a website, anything takes time and planning. The type that won’t run after the cheapest deal, but rather go for the most valuable one. I\m looking for quality shoppers, I guess.
What is your perfect customer?
One who spends like theres no tomorrow!
Your secret to success…
Honest, ethical and no matter how big you get or how bad things go. I believe everything is a test from the Almighty. Whether you pass or fail, it’s in your hands. For example being poor, its easy to steal and blame it on poverty; being rich, it’s easy to be miserly and horde and not give to charity or cheat and con your way to more riches.
What is your best marketing tool?
Email newsletters. Word of mouth and print advertising are also effective for me.
Tell us some pitfalls to avoid in your industry
Avoid Webmail.co.za and their con-artist like advertising ploys, if you’re doing online sales, take credit card fraud VERY seriously. Check your high value orders thoroughly.
Destroy a myth about your industry…
We are not all illegal street racers, drug junkies and similar. And no, you can’t just put a turbo in a car like one would fit a light bulb.
What is the best business lesson you’ve learned so far?
Keep your patience, especially when customers complain and moan on any online forum. It’s best to be calm and patient, and above all, be honest.
99% of the time you’ll win them over – and not only the sale, but their respect and loyalty too.
How many people do you have in your team?
Autostyle online has two guys packing and despatching orders;1 guy updating prices. My brother and two other blokes help with replying customer emails and mundane tasks. The rest is mine. The bricks and mortar store has between the two stores about 40 guys.
What is your BHAG?
Personally, I’m nearly there, I want to take a six month hiatus travelling the
Middle East. With regards to our business, it’s grow, grow, grow!
And, finally, a word of advice to Ideate readers – is there a lot of money to be made in your industry?
There is. In all industries you can make money, but it all depends on your intention. Do your thing with your heart; do not do it to spite a competitor, or to prove you are better than someone. Money is not the final goal in everything. Contentment, a feeling of accomplishment, taking up a challenge is more important.
Thanks Naeem, awesome stuff. We’ll be tracking your progress with great interest. Do pop round from time to time and let us know how you’re doing.
Fred Roed is the marketing guy in the Ideate crew. Fred is the CEO of web marketing company World Wide Creative and the co-founder of online learning portal Heavy Chef. Fred loves writing about people out there doing marketing right. Follow Fred on Twitter here. View more articles by Fred Roed.
Tags: advertising
naeem
Apr 9th, 2009
hey thanks for the interview guys.
Look out for a new autostyle online design in a few weeks time
Hope to see you at the next jhb heavychef session!
Hasanain Abdullah
Apr 9th, 2009
@ Fred Nice writeup.
@ Naeem.co.za Keep up the work
Ahmed Sayed
Apr 25th, 2009
Fatastic article. Very Impressive!!!
vincent hofmann
Apr 29th, 2009
Awesome to see your work fully recognised Naeem, you certainly deserve some time in the spotlight for running a very tight ship!
Fred
Apr 29th, 2009
Agreed – Naeem, love your work : )