Today I was sitting in my office and had to put my thoughts on paper. Last Saturday I heard disturbing news, a friend of mine passed away a special relationship that started back in 1989. A friend that, made such an impact on my personal as much as my business life. We all meet some people that are different than all the other relationships we have encountered in our Life. This person had that impact on many, not just my life. Being in sales and network marketing I have met literally thousands of people from all walks of life and different races with all types of economical circumstances and I have never met anyone like this man. His life has to be talked about.
I met Ruben Ramirez at Fontana Nissan in 1989, In retrospect I had the pleasure to work with two of the most dynamic people in the Auto Industry, One was our G.M. Charlie Tuttle and my G.S.M. Ken Ross. I was about to meet the most talented human being that I ever encountered in my 20 years in The Auto Industry. It was a busy Thursday at our store we had 14 cars out by 2:00 pm and a sharp Individual came in with the gaudiest Gold bracelet I had ever seen. I was a Closer at the time and asked him if he needed help, He politely said no and introduced himself as Ruben Ramirez. As I saw Charlie and Ken coming in, they greeted Ruben and took him upstairs for a two hour interview. When they were upstairs I remember telling another Closer by the name of Chris, this guy Ruben is a closer and they are going to replace one of the four closers. Chris just smiled and said we are safe don’t worry about it, Chris had been a closer for 11 years he was a veteran. I didn’t think much about Ruben we were busy I just kept working, I saw Ruben leave he said goodbye and left the Dealership. The next day Charlie was having a meeting with all the Closers, one by one they were letting them go, I was next, as Charlie began to talk to me he said "Fidel you know you are one of my favorite employees" I had dominated the sales floor for the last 12 months and Charlie had promoted me to Closer for 3 months. He continued to speak and he explained how they wanted this guy Ruben to come and work at our store but in order to do that I had to step down as a Salesman to make room for him because in order for Ruben to come to our store he wanted only two teams, that meant only two Closers. As I heard Charlie explained further he had fired the other Closers but he wanted me to stay. Charlie told me if I wanted I could work with Chris, keep my Demo and he felt I would be more comfortable with Chris because I knew him for a year. As I thought about my decision, I explained to Charlie how much I respected him and his decision but instead of Chris I would work for Ruben. Charlie asked me why? Here was my response. "Two of the most respected car people I know just got closed to go to two teams and alter the Closer's pay plan. I know I can learn something from this man" Charlie laughed and said "Kid you will go a long way in this Business".
The first meeting there were 17 Salesman in a broken down building in Fontana A.C. not working and in comes Ruben Ramirez, sharp dressed his meeting was quick he said "I only have one rule turn everybody, you can go to lunch for as long as you want, come in late, leave the lot when ever you want, I don’t care, just turn everybody because I can close anybody. Let’s ballooned the lot, let’s get to work." Then as people got up he said "Fidel stay here, I need to talk to you." As everyone left I was amazed it was not the typical meeting. As Ruben spoke he asked all kinds of questions, then he reached in his wallet and said "I have a proposition for you, Work as hard as you can and the best month you had as a closer I will beat it by three thousand dollars. To show you how serious I am, Here is $2,000 if I don’t beat your best month as a closer you can keep this money." I was shocked, the best month as a Closer for me was $14,000, that month with Ruben as my closer I made $25,000. Needless to say I had to give him his money back, when I tried he refused and told me to use the money to buy two good suits. I did not know how to dress for success till I met Ruben, In essence he bought my first two suits. When I do events I often get complimented on the way I dress, thanks again. Ruben once told me you need to dress the way you want to be addressed.
Through the years we worked together at only four stores Fontana Nissan, West Covina Toyota, Moreno valley Toyota and Massey Chevrolet. But his mentoring of me never stopped he continued to Educate me in Sales techniques and perspectives in Life. At all the stores he worked at, I visited him often, Ruben was always upbeat and great to be around. He always made you feel good. No matter what he was going through. I remember years back I heard he was in an Automobile Accident a bad one, When I went to see him he was on this machine were he was lying face down as I tryed to make him feel better I explained to him that God spared his life for a reason. As I told him various stories about our Deals through out the years to make him laugh he got serious, a side I had never seen before and he cried. He told me what great friend I was and said " Fidel what if I never walk again, I wouldn't be able to walk with Larry on the beach and play catch with him and walk along the side of him." As he cried I saw the fear of what he was saying. I tried to comfort him to no avail. Larry his son meant everything to him. He would beam when ever he would talk about what Larry had done or was about to do. Ruben was extremely proud of his son he was his Universe. I went to visit Ruben a few more times in the hospital until they dismiss him. Ruben made it and was able to walk and enjoy his Family. He was able to walk again by the miracle I call Jesus Christ.
Through the years I always stayed in contact with Ruben because he was always showing his craft to others that wanted to master the art of Closing. A few times he would ask me to speak to some of his Salesman or managers to keep them upbeat. When I left the Auto Industry I was running a Nissan store making good money, I joined a Network Marketing Company. Everyone in my circle of influence made fun me they thought I was dumb for giving up a good career in The Auto Industry and joining this Company. All but Ruben, he encouraged me to pursue my path he told me that I was one of the most talented individuals he had managed. Not only did he encourage me he also supported me, he was the first person to give me my first Corporate Account with my new Company and nine others, Thank you Ruben, Because of your help I made more money in nine years than I had made in 15 years working for someone else.
The last time I talked to Ruben he was a GSM at Redlands Toyota we spoke for 20 minutes and said how we needed to get together for lunch and catch up. Unfortunately that lunch never came, we as adults continue to make plans not ever knowing when our time is expired. You see Jesus knew when his time would expire, he knew the kiss of Judas would be the signal to arrest him, he knew at the last supper, who would betray him. Yet in all his Glory and love he still fed all his disciples and washed their feet, including those of the traitor. Why is LOVE mentioned over 310 times in the Bible. I believe it's because God wanted us to love one another the way he loved us. That’s why Jesus, is the only way to heaven, Agape love, the ultimate Love the love from God. For who so ever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. As for my Best Friend Ruben I pray he reached out to his best friend Jesus before his Life expired, because I guarantee you this, Jesus was waiting for him to ask. In our trials and tribulations when we ask, Where Is God because we don’t see him, Believe this he sees you when all hope is gone because He is right next to you, weeping for the pain your going through. Waiting for us to ask him, to enter our lives so he may be our best friend. Ruben showed a tremendous amount of love to me and others I witness his passion for his craft how he loved sharing his knowledge with people on how to master a crazy business. He showed me compassion, tutoring and mentorship that will always remain in my heart and in the hearts of many for ever. That's where great friends should be, in our Hearts till we pass on to a greater life, Ruben so long, it's not goodbye for I have faith I will see you again my dear friend, You will be missed. Until we see each other again. The Earth Team will never be the same they lost a great Player and Coach.
Yours truly
Fidel
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