BY JONIQUE GAYNOR, Staff Reporter
Andre Hylton - FILE
WHO WOULD HAVE predicted that a 16-year-old high school dropout would today be the owner of a massive auto parts empire? Andre Hylton, majority shareholder of Andre's Auto, is living proof that with ambition, determination and perseverance, success is well within reach.
After dropping out of high school, André started working at age 16. He borrowed $800 from a credit union, bought some furniture and moved out of his mother's house by the time he turned 17. He told THE STAR that he started his business at age 19 "with $40 and a bicycle".
Today, Andre's Auto, is one of the most renowned auto repair stores and, according to Hylton, people have come to associate a certain level of service and professionalism with his establishment. The auto empire is looking forward to celebrating its 25th anniversary next year.
"My business came out of helping people, helping people to buy parts and to find parts they couldn't find."
BUILDING A NAME
He further told THE STAR that he built a name out of this, while working at an auto parts store and that people started coming to his house for advice, after he left the job. He then decided to start offering a service. He revealed that he began by stocking parts in his kitchen cupboards. It then spread to his entire kitchen and finally to his backyard.
Then he officially began his 'hustling' - buying and selling auto parts. Andre's offers repairs and assessments to all types of cars, they sell and repair car parts and according to Hylton, 'is a one stop centre'. "Just bring your car, and we'll take care of everything."
Hylton opened his first repair shop in 1984. A self-taught mechanic, Hylton revealed that his love affair with cars began when he was a child. He also told THE STAR that he built his first shop himself and that the Montego Bay branch which was built about two years after the first, still exists today.
The enterprise moved to its current location, 16 Osbourne Road, Kingston 10, in 1986, and he purchased the property in 1988. The building was refurbished and expanded between 1992 - 1993. When asked about the rapid growth of his business and how it blossomed so quickly, he responded, "it just evolved. I believe in exercising all your potential and in stretching your ability to achieve all that God has given you.""
Hylton wants to establish more businesses across the island and revealed that Andre's Auto was now involved in fleet management, a venture which is proving to be quite successful. The company has a fleet management office at the airport - just one of the many corporate customers they have attracted.
Andre's Auto, according to Hylton, has been such a success because of a host of factors. "We have a niche market, we specialise in Mazdas and this has always been our major strength." He spoke also of the fact that the customer service at Andre's is "next to none and we pride ourselves on giving excellent customer service. We have a great team; one that understands that the customer is king."
He strongly believes that this is one of the secrets to the success of his business. His team undergoes frequent customer service training.
Andre's Auto is also a good corporate citizen. Some of their outreach efforts are carried out through organisations such as the Rotary Club of Kingston, of which Hylton was the immediate past president. That the Jamaican business landscape has changed dramatically, over the last 10 years, has not escaped Hylton's attention.
"I don't know if its gotten better or worse, it is a matter of adjusting to the times. It has changed though, definitely." He asserted that if businesses are to stay 'on top of their game' they must learn to adapt and respond to the changes that occur in the business environment. He said also that business has become increasingly competitive and that companies now have to either step their game up or get left behind.
FORMAL TRAINING
Hylton believes that anyone wanting to enter the business world should be formally trained. He recommends that these persons pursue studies in either business or management, whether they are doctors, lawyers or mechanics. Having skills specific to your field is crucial. "If you are going into business, you must know something about management." He also advised persons interested in business to start slowly, realise that they do not necessarily have to start out with huge capital, and have a positive attitude.
"It's not necessarily easy to have a business in Jamaica, but what you need to do is have good staff, be determined, invest wisely and watch your balance sheet every day."
Hylton realises the value of living a balanced life and said, "I'm a happy person, I'm a person that enjoys life." He listed travelling, collecting classic cars, photography, fishing and throwing parties as his favourite pastimes. He also told THE STAR that he wants to go skiing, bungee jumping and to the Blue Mountains. He believes strongly in living life to the fullest and said, "time and happiness are things you can't bottle and put up for tomorrow."
Hylton is presently doing expansions at both the Kingston and Montego Bay offices and said, "we've been here for a while and intend to be here for another 25 years".
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