Despite only owning Atlas Auto Auction since December of 2019, owner and founder Matt Lovelis said that he has learned a lot in a short period of time and is using that information for the betterment of all of his customers.
Little Rock’s Atlas Auto Auction provides an avenue for automotive dealers to sell their products to other dealers through a weekly auction.
“Dealers are able to buy and sell cars with us all in a single sitting,” Lovelis said. “We have an auction, and we run cars through six different lanes. It keeps the dealers busy.”
Lovelis said his company stands out because of its attention to detail and supreme customer service. “We care about our customers, no matter how big or small,” he affirmed.
Lovelis credits determination and a dash of luck to his company’s prosperity in just a year and a half since its opening. This determination allowed Lovelis to make it through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Atlas Auto Auction had its fair share of challenges, from limiting the number of dealers in the building during auctions to firmly enforcing its mask policy.
Fortunately, the creativity and determination of Lovelis and his staff helped the company continue. As Lovelis’ competitors closed, his customer base grew. He credits everyone for helping his company succeed.
“I’m a strong believer in the saying that you’re only as good as the people you have working for you,” Lovelis said.
When asked if it’s harder to stay on top than it is to launch, Lovelis argued that both are difficult, but for different reasons.
“It’s hard to launch due to the fears that one may have, and it’s hard to step out into the water and trust what you believe in. But if you have a good plan and you believe in it, you can make anything work,” he said. “As far as staying on top, customer service and taking care of your clients is the number one priority, and it’s the thing that I take pride in, as well as being fair. These things keep you at the top.”
Humility keeps Lovelis level headed and grounded; he doesn’t consider himself better than anyone else — just a person who is driven and dedicated in life and business. One of his proudest attributes is his loyalty to both his customers and his vendors, boasting that he “does business with the people who do business with me.”
As someone who has been in the automotive industry since he was 22, Lovelis offers some words of advice to young entrepreneurs.
“If you don’t love what you do, you’re not going to be successful at it. Anything that’s worth doing can be done if you’re determined and resilient. You will have some hard times. You will get knocked down but get back up.”
Little Rock • 501.904.9988
READ ALSO: 2021 Arkansas Money & Politics Companies of Distinction
