Family Nissan of Inwood is revving up to celebrate their first anniversary under new ownership with the community.
The dealership not only has staff members that have been working there since high school, but a mixture of young and seasoned professionals.
Ramzey Rizk, dealer principal, began working there as a salesman in 1998 at 19 years old. He bought out the company 27 years later and changed it to Family Nissan.
“It definitely was a learning experience,” Rizk said. “I started out as a salesman and from there I moved to management and eventually general manager. At 22, I was the youngest general manager in the industry at the time.”
He had to transition from being an employee to an employer to now being in charge of the whole operation.
“I’ve always considered myself an operator,” he added. “I think what helps me is if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”
Rizk said it feels “surreal” to see the name on the building everyday, as it was a goal of his one-day to own the company. Their motto is “family” and that is why Rizk named the company Family Nissan.
To celebrate their first anniversary, they are offering a free accessory on every car purchased during their celebration and a $20 oil change, on Oct. 16. Along with any car purchased throughout October get their first purchase paid for by the dealership.
“We’re celebrating our birthday month all month long,” Rizk said. “I’m hoping the community will come out and enjoy some food and music with us so we can celebrate together.”
The community is welcome to attend the one-year anniversary party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 16. There will be music, food, special savings and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
General Manager John Morales started out as a salesperson in 2003 at 19 years old and will be celebrating one year as a manager on their anniversary.
“I had a family member who was recently hired there and the company asked if I was bi-lingual (Spanish) and set up an interview and I got the job on the spot regardless that I was a student,” Morales said.
He said the people and the community are a big part as to why he has stayed with the company for over 20 years.
“Overtime you realize the people around you are smart and capable,” he added. “Even the customers are smart and I’ve learned a lot from them. I noticed that right away and decided to stick around because of the community.”
Morales said it feels like a “dream come true” for Family Nissan to be celebrating its first anniversary.
“It can take 20 years for you to see something come into light,” Morales said. “We’re at a position now where we worked hard enough to push our name to the top and get noticed.”
Gabrielle Arnold, manager for sales and service also started right out of high school, in 2011. She said it feels like family being at work.
“It makes me proud and it’s really cool to be apart of out first anniversary,” Arnold said. “We have made a difference and the customers see that we want to build connections for years to come.”
She is looking forward to continue working with the community and building an even bigger family.
“Our goal is to better our business, customer service and grow our brand through customer service,” Rizk said. “Hopefully we can leave a big enough impression on Long Island where when you think Nissan, you think Family Nissan.”
