Rick Williams of Tarboro said he found his life’s calling when he was just 13 years old.

“My grandfather, O.F. Thompson, went with me when I was 13 and I bought a 1979 Mercury Capri for $300,” said Williams. “I washed, waxed and it cleaned it out and sold it the next week for $600.

“I was hooked.”

More than 20 years later, the Tarboro native, 34, is still hooked on cars and is selling them at the Rick Williams Auto Mart at 781 U.S. 258 N. in Tarboro.

“It is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Williams. “I love working with people and I love messing around with cars.”

And he is selling quite a few of them these days.

“We are at 51 and counting for the month of February,” said Williams. “This is the most I’ve ever sold in a single month since opening five years ago. And it’s not over yet.”

Williams said that he sold 33 cars in January and averaged a car sale a day in 2009.

Williams credits his business’ success to his employees; Office Manager Andrea Newman, Bookkeeper Cathy Payne, Head Salesman/Detailer Bernard Smith, Head Chauffeur Gerald Cheney and Salesmen/Detailers Calvin Barnes and Holden Walker.

“I couldn’t do anything without then,” said Williams. “If you surround yourself with positive people and work with a quality product, you can accomplish anything.”

“You also need a bank that believes in you,” Williams added about Providence Bank. “They have played a big part with our success here.”

William said his positive attitude toward business was taught to him by his father, Fred Williams, when working with his father at Williams Fuel.

“My grandfather taught me about cars and my father taught me about business,” said Williams. “I learned that if you want to be successful, you have to treat people the way you want to be treated.”

Williams said that his approach helps customers work out a payment plan they can afford.

“I always work with the customer anyway I can,” said Williams. “Some people will push a customer into a deal that they know the customer can’t afford. I work it out so my they know and I know that they can handle it.”

“You only have one name and one shot to make it a good name,” said Williams. “I don’t want to sell someone one car, I want to sell them many cars down the road.”

Rick Williams Auto Mart is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Williams can be reached at 823-5050.