Hello, my name is Eliud Villarreal! I was born in Oklahoma City in 1990 and raised in Yukon my entire life. I graduated from Yukon High School in 2009 and then attended OSU-OKC to major in criminal justice. While attending college, I began working at Joe Cooper Ford of Yukon as a car salesman after asking the manager what credentials were needed. He told me all I had to do was apply. Along with me, they hired 10 other salespeople to determine who was the best fit for the job. I was fortunate enough to be one of the top two selected to continue.
After just a few months in the car business, I realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I changed my major in college to business. Selling cars came naturally to me because I was passionate about it. My enthusiasm for cars was evident to my customers, and that positivity turned into sales. Many also preferred buying from a younger salesperson who didn’t fit the stereotype of an older, typical used car salesman. I worked for the Cooper Auto Group for five years before being let go.
I took some time to reflect on whether I wanted to stay in the car business. Eventually, I decided to get a job at Fowler Honda as a used car manager. However, I quickly realized I didn’t have the same passion I once had. For the most part, Hondas are basic transportation, with only a few unique models. After three months, I moved on to become the used car manager at Metro Ford.
After a year at Metro Ford, I had the opportunity to join Carter Chevrolet in Okarche as the Finance Director and Used Car Manager. At that point, I was at a crossroads, questioning whether I wanted to stay in the business. The long hours and the typical dealership lifestyle were wearing me down, but Carter was different. It was family-oriented, family-owned, and growing. I enjoyed being part of their story.
At the beginning of 2018, I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own business, Exotic Motorsports of Oklahoma. The idea of being in business on my own was intimidating at first, but I felt the Lord laid opportunities in my path and moved things into action, making it clear that this was my calling. Starting the business allowed me to combine my passion for cars with a platform to connect with enthusiasts and share my faith.
Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for the journey. We’ve been blessed with amazing customers and friends who have helped us thrive, and I look forward to continuing to grow this community.