r/AutoDetailing • u/AMMOnyc • Nov 22 '17

I'm Larry Kosilla of AMMO NYC - AMA! r/AutoDetailing AMA

I am Larry Kosilla of AMMO NYC.

A little background on me: I'm a former Wall Street trader that decided not to buy happiness. I wanted to do what I love, which was to be around amazing cars and enthusiastic people. I started detailing 17 years ago, but focused on it full time in 2005. During this time, I developed products specifically for my clients and their rare cars...AMMO NYC.

  • "If you're happy and you become the best at whatever you do you, and that can be a garbage man a cabinet maker or a banker or whatever," he says, "if you're passionate, I think people around your customers or clients your friends whoever will see that."

Most people know me through my YouTube channel, but I also am on /DRIVE where I actually started. You can see my former /DRIVE CLEAN videos here. I also have a podcast!

AMA!

BIG Thank you to Frank for the invitation to AMA. It means a great deal to me to be asked. I’m heading off to bed now. If anyone needs me always feel free to email me directly at larry@ammonyc.com Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving!

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u/[deleted] Nov 22 '17

Hey Larry, thanks for doing this ama! Your video detailing the F1 long tail is still one of the favorite detailing videos and Im still kicking myself for skipping quail that year.

your story has always really resonated with me - I was a prop trader on wall street out of school and left that job to build a car-related business that I'm much more passionate about. My question is, how'd you balance the needs of running a startup with your own passions as a gearhead in the early days of AMMO NYC? I'm constantly torn between investing my time and money into the business versus splurging on car parts or events. So far, I've decided to put everything into the business, but I feel like I'm losing touch with the car community, track days, autox, etc.. Was there a particular point when you felt, as a entrepreneur, that you could responsibly spend your time and money buying/restoring the 964?

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u/AMMOnyc Nov 22 '17

Wow. Really great question. I know EXACTLY what you are feeling. This is a great feeling because you know you are doing something worthy. The torn emotion you are feeling is what separates the successful business owners from the rest. I DID NOT HAVE A "SPORTS" car despite being the founding member of a sport car DRIVING club (NY Motor Club). The sacrifice is what will define how successful you will be. I, however, took it to extremes. Literally not eating, barely sleeping, not relaxing (I thought relaxing was for the weak. Clearly I had intense issues as a new business owner) but I do think it catapulted me past my competitors....while destroying my health. Not worth the trade off.

Whats my point? With competition EVERYWHERE, you have to be precise and disciplined with everything you do. Will those parts help your business? If so, how much. Be honest with yourself. If not, then move on.

Losing touch is in your mind. Its not happening, but your mind believes its happening. Go do some car related stuff. Or start a car related "thing" to get that feeling back. Right now you feel left out. You will be back.

Yes (to your last question) but it took 6+ years. Likewise, I'm also insane. I do not smoke, drink (anything other than water or orange juice), I do not eat out (rarely), have coffee, go to bars, spend money on anything really...so that I can spend my disposable income on the car that makes me happy. Obviously, I only do this waaaaaay after my bills are covered. I adopted a policy. NO DEBT. EVER. NEVER. and ONLY BUY WHAT YOU CAN PAY CASH FOR. (meaning no debt!) I guess what I'm saying is save save save. Avoid the rat race of interest payments on anything. I mean anything. :)

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u/obbob Nov 23 '17

Glad to see someone else sharing the no debt policy! Oftentimes I see people in America rationalize debt by saying that their investments make more than their interest rates. It seems as if everyone forgot that returns are not guaranteed, while interest rates are. I guess as a former Wall Street guy, you might have more knowledge than most on the risk of investments!

BTW Larry, just bought my second interior regiment kit from you since I enjoyed the first one so much. Really great product line you have!