He used to help fix people’s lives; now he fixes cars

October 14, 2006 by reyna11 · Leave a Comment
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I picked up this Basic Cash Flow write-up on the government site. I knew it was a re-write of Rich Dad Poor Dad but it was nicely written para ma-feel talaga nang mga Pinoy, especially tayong mga OFW’s which I posted here.

Pinoy Trader left me a message that this article was written by a certain Butch Francisco. And so I checked the site and ran into a story about Butch. I’m impressed. I mean, these are the kind of success stories that needs to be shared to everyone.

I’ve never met the guy. So, here’s the story and/or profile of Mr. Butch Francisco.

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This story was taken from www.inq7money.net

He used to help fix people’s lives; now he fixes cars
Posted: 1:46 AM | Nov. 30, 2003
By: Alexa H. Bacay
Inquirer News Service
BUTCH Salvador was a pastor for 12 years before resigning to try his luck in sales. He tried selling everything from real estate to coffins.

But it was 1998, elections then, so everybody was waiting for the next thing to happen. Nobody wanted to invest or buy anything. With his electricity and phone line cut, he stayed at home with only 10 pesos and some coins in an ashtray between him and starvation.

Then he read Napoleon Hills’ book, “Think and Grow Rich,” which told him to believe he was rich. And he did.

Following the book’s prescriptions, he counted money even if he didn’t have it yet. He believed he had a new car, and he had no debts to pay. He was so confident and at that moment, the idea behind Car Magic came to mind.

He didn’t waste time and started to make leaflets. He asked his cousin to print it, then with the 10-peso bill, had it photocopied.

The coins in the ashtray brought Butch to Makro, where he distributed the leaflets. At night, he would call his mom from a neighbor’s house to check if a prospective customer had inquired about his business. A certain Mrs. Panganiban from Mapayapa Village served as his “buena mano.”

Running low on funds, Butch urged his first customer to schedule her car immediately. So bringing along a friend who was a painter, the two set out for her house to check her car.

Butch had to ask for 500 pesos in downpayment then rushed to a paint center to buy small quantities of masilla, thinner, and paint.

With 80 pesos left from the downpayment, he came back to Mrs. Panganiban’s house and started the work on her car.

First customerThings would have gone well, but the paint didn’t match the car’s original color. Butch had to rush back to the paint center to have another set mixed. The problem was he only had 80 pesos left, and his bill added up to P120. So Butch got a spare Nautica shirt from his car and told the paint mixer to keep it in case he doesn’t pay back the remaining 40 pesos.

Things would have gone well, but the paint didn’t match the car’s original color. Butch had to rush back to the paint center to have another set mixed. The problem was he only had 80 pesos left, and his bill added up to P120. So Butch got a spare Nautica shirt from his car and told the paint mixer to keep it in case he doesn’t pay back the remaining 40 pesos.Butch then rushed back to the job site to finish the car, and Mrs. Panganiban was happy with the result.

When she paid the balance, Butch swore to himself, “I’ll never run out of money again.”

That first customer paved the way for Car Magic’s success.

Car Magic’s name came from Andrew Carnegie’s magical formula, which tells one to believe in something and with faith, that something will come true.

After Mrs. Panganiban, Butch worked harder. For every payment he received, part of it went to making more leaflets and distributing it to motorists. Butch could be seen walking with cigarette vendors along Katipunan Ave. and Libis, distributing leaflets.

He was able to advertise his business in a magazine, and soon, somebody approached him for a franchise. Then a radio station became interested in the business and had it featured in a show.

Home serviceCar Magic targets the A and B markets who want their cars to look good but don’t have the time to bring their cars to the motor shop. Car Magic solves the problem by providing one-day home service.

Car Magic targets the A and B markets who want their cars to look good but don’t have the time to bring their cars to the motor shop. Car Magic solves the problem by providing one-day home service.”Our selling point is the one-day home service. Compared with the others, our price is lower and yet we give very good service and we use quality materials,” says Butch.

Car Magic staff usually arrive at the job site at 9:30 in the morning and finish the job by 5 in the afternoon.

There was a time when a friend of Butch’s rammed their family car into a post. He immediately sought Butch’s help to have the car fixed before his mom discovered it. The next day, Car Magic came to their house to fix the damage, and before the client’s mother even woke up, they had it fixed and left no trace of dents and scratches.

Three important things keep Car Magic going. First is Salvador’s desire to make it work. It is his dream and he wants it to be successful. Second is their customers.

“We are patronized by our clients because we give quality service. We give them convenience,” says Butch.

Third is honesty.

“That’s another thing. If you leave your car, and you have valuable stuff inside, believe me, ‘walang mawawala dyan’ (nothing will go missing). My people would not touch it. They are trained that way,” assures Butch.

Old carsCar Magic sticks to 10-year-old cars because older cars are made of harder materials. Car Magic also does not choose car brands. Butch says he even had a client who owned an armored car.

Car Magic sticks to 10-year-old cars because older cars are made of harder materials. Car Magic also does not choose car brands. Butch says he even had a client who owned an armored car.The company is open for franchising. Car Magic currently has four franchises in Quezon City A and B, Para¤aque and Pasig. Requirements include an office, a vehicle, and a phone line.

“‘Yun ang pusod ng negosyo e’ (that’s the core of the business). Since we’re home service, people have to call you up,” explains Butch.

And like other industries, there are people who think that they can just copy Car Magic’s idea and be just as successful.

Butch, however, says that he keeps some business secrets to himself, so whoever tries to steal ideas will be left wanting.

Butch chose this business because he saw the need for it. Most cars today have dents and scratches on them but owners wouldn’t even bother to have them fixed. For one, they don’t have time. And secondly they don’t trust anyone with their cars anymore just to have the dents and scratches removed.

“Ang daming kalokohan na nangyayari. Nagkakapalitan ng parts (A lot of hank-panky goes on. Car parts get exchanged),” sasy Butch. “Another thing, ‘ginagamit yung kotse mo’ (your car is used)…People don’t want to trust anymore. They say that unless you do it at our house, maybe we’ll trust you.

(For inquiries on Car Magic’s services, call +63 2 9481874 or +63 917 8353100)

Tags: Profiles