Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay-r Zausa
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised on the Alief side of Houston Texas. I grew my passion for cars growing up from playing with Hot Wheels to seeing my uncle modify and baby his 1983 Mercedes C126 500 SEC, which I ironically just inherited. At the age of 16 my father bought a 1994 BMW E34 540i which ended up being my first car and thinking of ways of modifying it, I purchased used parts here and there to do a OEM plus build. After looking at how much I’ve spent with barely any money at my age it got me thinking, where do they get these parts?
During my high school days I started going to junkyards, buying BMW parts either to keep or flipping them so I can use the funds to build my car. It became a side hustle during my high school days. Kids my age were selling Cheetos and honey buns in school while I’m here selling car parts off Craigslist. For a 16 year old salary, I’d say it was pretty good.
I started thinking more, how about purchasing whole cars and selling parts off them? That was when Bimmer Parts Texas – @bimmerpartstexas was created. Started in my parent’s garage with my father’s hand tools. Then it escalated from there. From my parents garage to a Uhaul boat storage that fits four cars, to a 2300 square foot shop and now on my property with almost half an acre.
With all the funds I’ve earned today, I reinvest the funds towards my business or rental properties. I’m now at three investment properties with a total of four properties under the age of 30.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it was smooth at the start but it was definitely well worth it at the end.
I started with nothing. No one funded me. Only worked with what I had around me. It was a side hustle in the beginning since I was in school. My parents thought it was a joke if I made this full time. As a second generation Filipino American, my parents/family expect some sort of degree or basically like most Filipino mentality is that I should become a nurse which is understandable. I told my parents if they were nurses then I most likely would’ve became a nurse myself. So the quote “who you hang out is who you become” comes to mind because my parents were business owners.
After high school I went to HCC for a few college courses that went nowhere. I was still buying and flipping at the same time I accumulated a few BMW E36 M3’s that I purchased for parts but ended up being solid cars to keep. When Covid started, my aunt was selling her home and she offered the home to me first before she sold it to the “flippers”. I sold and profited on the M3’s and I used the funds towards my first rental property.
That one big move of purchasing my first rental reconsidered what my family thought of my hustle.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Bimmer Parts Texas is a fully driven shop that specializes only in BMW parts from the late 80s to the 2010’s mainly to car enthusiasts who want to restore or build their car to those who were in a fender bender or just want to upgrade. We sell to local shops as well as to other enthusiasts and shops across the US.
Mostly known locally in the community for the e36 and e46 chassis from the 90’s and 2000’s for their drift builds, show cars to daily drivers that wants to keep them on the road or to upgrade like manual conversions and M3 upgrades.
We are very passionate for what we do. Unlike regular shops that don’t know much knowledge on BMW’s, that try to nickel and dime you “because it’s a BMW” or even sell you the wrong item. We also offer consignment deals on those who want to sell their car and we soon plan to supply and sell new oem and aftermarket parts so we can be your one stop shop!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Follow us on Instagram @bimmerpartstexas or if you know anyone with a BMW, send them our way!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Sean Gokool @livefromtheshutter
Mason Martindale @masonfoto
Alex Bridges @jikjakz
