19-Year Veteran Mercedes-Benz Dealer, Kim Minwoo
"Sales Is About Creating Opportunities by Taking Initiative"
Singer Kim Min-woo (55), known for songs like "Sarangil Punnya" and "Ipyeongyeolcha Aneseo," shared an update on his current life as a 19-year veteran foreign car dealer.
On the 12th, Yonhap News reported that Kim Min-woo has been working for 19 years at Hansung Motor Gangnam Showroom, the Korean sales subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz. Debuting in 1990, he gained great popularity by consecutively hitting with "Sarangil Punnya" and "Ipyeongyeolcha Aneseo." His debut album sold over one million copies, and both songs held the number one spot on the "Gayo Top 10" chart for five weeks each, totaling 10 consecutive weeks. Kim was called the "Little Prince" of the music industry.
Currently working as a sales manager at Hansung Motor Gangnam Showroom of Mercedes-Benz Korea, he is also a "Sales Master," a title given to those with outstanding sales capabilities.
Since 2005, Kim has been working as a Mercedes-Benz dealer, selling a total of 940 Mercedes-Benz vehicles to date. Last year, he sold 68 cars, maintaining an annual sales volume of around 65 units. In March 2006, he sold 10 cars in one month and was crowned "Sales King."
He said his singing career did not help with sales, explaining, "Customers feel burdened when their credit and personal information are shared with a celebrity. About 80% of buyers do not know that I am a singer when they sign the contract."
His becoming a Mercedes-Benz dealer was also influenced by the IMF crisis. After military discharge, he continued music activities for three years, releasing albums, but as he no longer received the spotlight, his recording studio?purchased with all his assets and loans?was quickly destroyed by arson. Although he performed in nightclubs, the IMF crisis caused clubs to close, and he experienced two years as a credit delinquent.
Then, by chance, through an introduction from an acquaintance, he honed his skills at Jaguar, Land Rover, and Audi dealerships before settling as a Mercedes-Benz dealer from 2005.
Kim defined sales as "not just making money, but achieving results through my efforts and doing it proudly and stylishly." He added, "If singing is a profession of endlessly waiting and practicing, sales is about moving yourself to create opportunities. I don't think I have succeeded yet, but success has steps. You have to start small, believe in the power of relationships with customers, and steadily climb up."
He also shared news of new music activities, revealing part of his current plans. He intends to release a new album with remakes. Additionally, he has plans to remarry. His wife passed away from blood cancer in 2016, seven years after their marriage. He has a middle school daughter who is talented at piano. He said, "There is someone I want to remarry with," indicating plans to start a new family.
Kim said, "I try to approach first with sincerity and honesty, offering myself to customers," and added, "My goal this year is to surpass 1,000 cumulative Mercedes-Benz sales. My life is still LIVE."
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