By Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter
Derrick Johnson - CONTRIBUTED
"THE KEY TO true success in any business is to find something you love and focus on it," advises Superior Auto Part's Managing Director, Derrick Johnson.
As the sole proprietor of the premiere Honda parts dealer, Superior Auto Parts & Accessories, Johnson has truly focussed on his love of auto care, taking a 'hustle' of selling parts from the back of his van, to the multimillion dollar business on Hagley Park Road.
Derrick has made a life in which he can now live comfortably, but as a youngster growing up in Greenwich Park, he had little more than an immense drive for entrepreneurship.
"When others used to play marbles for fun, I was trying to build up my collection so I could sell some," reminisced Johnson.
His mother, Lynda James didn't have much as a dressmaker, but still raised her children to be hardworking and honest. Johnson explained that money was so 'tight' as a child, that his struggling single mother could only facilitate one child's full education.
"Mi sister was more of the talker while I was the quiet one, so they spent more money on her education than mine," said Johnson.
Johnson was attending Russel Primary at the time, and says he did not even get the opportunity to complete his Common Entrance Examinations. The young entrepreneur did however, learn to craft wood, and soon developed an interest in it. Within a few months, he was able to make tables, skateboards, and other wooden items. Derrick laughs at the thought that he might have been a carpenter today if not for some words of guidance from his father, Bernal Johnson.
"My father didn't play a strong role in my life, but he gave me the best advice of my life," laughed Johnson. "He said, if yuh don't want yuh foot heel fi lean, fin' something else do."
He was also the one that suggested that Derrick infiltrate the growing auto industry, and while applying for high school, Johnson also applied for the Jamaican Automotive School in 1980.
DEMAND
Not only had he found a field that he loved, and in which he excelled, but, as the demand for automotive parts increased the venture also became very lucrative.
Derrick graduated from the automotive school in 1983, and within a year he landed the job that would open doors for the young mechanic.
Johnson's first true job was with Air Jamaica, servicing the hydraulic pumps and gears. The job also gave him the 'golden' opportunity to travel.
"In travelling, I soon discovered that parts that were in high demand locally could be located, once one took the time to look," stated Johnson.
Derrick soon found his 'off time' at Air Jamaica being consumed in networking with dealers in Miami and other locations across the United States.
Before long, major companies locally were seeking Johnson for parts that they themselves could not locate.
"Crown Motors constantly sought me for Hyundai parts like the water pump and other rare parts," stated Johnson.
Jokingly referring to himself as a 'hustler', Derrick also bought canned ackee, and rum locally to sell abroad, and brought back colognes, and appliances to sell locally.
He began to make a comfortable life for himself from his importing business, but his true passion remained in the automotive field.
In 1994, Air Jamaica had amassed considerable debt, and in an effort to cut costs, undertook a major redundancy exercise. Johnson was also affected by this mass job loss, but having already established relationships with key dealers, Derrick decided to sell parts from the back of his van.
"I had invested in some real estate, and using that investment I began stocking my van with car parts, so you could say that that is where Superior was first born," laughed Johnson.
After a year of successfully selling parts from his van, Derrick decided to invest in a building.
"I found a place at 6 Hagley Park road, but the $30,000 rent was too expensive, so I took the basement of the building for $16,000," added Johnson.
Selling both Honda and Toyota parts, Derrick stuck to his strategy of bringing in parts in demand, and as the Honda market was rapidly growing, he decided to go fully into servicing Hondas.
"I believe Superior has seen great success due to our variety of offerings. We have genuine and non-genuine, and new parts and used parts, so there is something for all here," stated Johnson.
The Auto Parts giant has now expanded its establishment into a car dealership, and a service centre, all for Honda brand vehicles.
From the back of a van to a 30 staff Auto empire, Derrick Johnson has confirmed that 'focus' is the key to success.
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