Chapter Five Trill
A wise man once said the early bird gets the worm.
Its six in the morning where I reside. Ain’t shit up at these hours but hustlers and real niggas.
Whether that’s a motherfucker getting it the legit way or illegitimately.
It didn’t even matter as long as they’re getting to the paper.
Anything outside of getting money is meaningless in my book.
I get up at the break of dawn because aside from this street shit, I have a legit business to run.
The drug money brings in hella guap, but over time my business has built me a strong clientele.
Providing all car needs from oil changes, tire rotations, down to paint jobs and custom shit.
People fucked with me because I’m not out here trying to break the bank.
Yet, me and my team are still well compensated for our time.
We’re the best in the city to do what we do.
People travel from near and far to have us work on their vehicles.
My whole thing is timeliness. I put myself in the customer’s shoes and treat them the same way I would want to be treated.
If I was the one spending money, I wouldn’t want to be waiting forever to have my car serviced.
I apply that shit to a business aspect. That being one of the main things people compliment us on. That and the way we conduct business.
I’m the first to arrive at the shop every day to open up.
I didn’t trust anyone aside from Mazi to do the shit.
My employees aren’t people who I get drug money with.
I’m smart enough to know that all business shouldn’t mix.
I keep that life separate from what I do at Carter’s Auto Customs. This is the one thing that I have that I wouldn’t dare let anyone tarnish.
Shit, it’s one of the main things keeping my black ass out of jail.
Being that I have to be employed at all times.
When I told my new “PO” that the business is mine; I can’t lie the shit felt good as hell to say.
People see me and immediately get to judging.
Upon first glance, the tattoos covering my body, and the diamond grill when I have it in; make people automatically categorize me as a street nigga.
Granted I am, but that’s not all I do. I’m used to that shit though.
I’ve been judged my entire life. So, I learned long ago not to let that shit get to me.
Everybody can’t do the shit that I do. It takes a business mindset to even get some shit like this off the ground.
That’s why when Savage and them ACE niggas get to hating and shit, I find it amusing.
I already know me and them niggas aren’t on the same level at all.
By me having some shit going on that has nothing to do with the drug game, already gives me a one up on them.
Regardless of the drug game funding the business or not.
It has nothing to do with that shit now and for that I’m proud.
When I made it to the shop, the sun was still rising.
I smiled to myself because it always feels good pulling into some shit that strictly belongs to me.
As I stated before, I don’t mix my two businesses.
I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have the only nigga I trust, partake in the shit as well.
Mazi is something like an overseer for the business.
Whether I’m present or not, he makes sure everyone stays in line.
Also, ensuring all the shit on the back end is taken care of.
Nigga is smart as hell in his own way. He keeps me on the straight and narrow.
I have been known to get off task and shit. That’s what he’s here for.
When I got this shit off the ground, he was so proud of me.
Me and that nigga come from humble beginnings.
Two sisters’ children, making him and I first cousins.
We were raised more like brothers. We know all too well what the struggle looks like.
We ain’t the richest niggas in the hood but we’re a long ass way from being the poorest. We know what it feels like not to have shit.
That’s why he ain’t going to let anyone fuck this shit up for me.
I played about a lot of shit, but my money isn’t one and neither is my livelihood.
One day I hope to leave the business to my future son.
Especially cause my sperm donor thought so less of me, he didn’t even feel I was deserving of his presence.
There was no indication of anything to let me know that somebody aside from my mama and her side of the family actually gave a fuck about me.
I ain’t tripping though because honestly, I have that nigga to thank for all this shit.
His absence molded me into the nigga that I am today.
A real get money nigga that don’t wait around for a seat at the table.
I have my own table and the chairs to go with it.
This business is one of the many businesses that I plan to have under my belt.
I’m trying to be a multifaceted nigga out here.
I’m not the type to restrict myself to one thing.
I may not have all the education in the world, but I did finish school.
Life has taught me many lessons that the knowledge they cram into our brains in those twelve years could ever do.
I used my key to unlock the doors to my business.
I have about an hour and a half before we officially open.
I always take this time to set the vibe in the shop.
I turn on all the lights, get the Keurig machine going and make sure the fridge is stocked.
Along with our snack area that’s available to our clients if they’re in need of a quick bite to eat.
Got to have a little southern hospitality to keep the people coming back.
It’s a must that I start the day with music. That helps keep me motivated to move around and handle business all day. Growing up, my mama always played music when she cleaned around the house. As an adult, I now understand the reason behind it.
I started my day with a blunt of za as K.
Camp’s “Marilyn Monroe’s Part 2” blared through the speakers.
Soon as he began singing the lyrics I was putting fire to my blunt.
I took a seat at the desk in my office. Taking one long pull from my blunt, I allowed the effects of it to put me in a Zen space.
Shortly after, I began to hear keys rattle at the door.
Knowing that only one other person makes it to the shop this early, I already knew it was Mazi.
“Cuz, where your ass at?”, I heard him yell out.
“Back here in my office cuz”
“I should’ve known just to follow the smell of the za”
“Already know. You know what they say, a blunt a day keeps the doctors away”
“Ain’t nobody said that shit but your ass”
We both fell into a fit of laughter. He was right but shit, that’s how I felt. I have to start my day this way. Shit keeps me calm, cool, and collected at all times. I’m a real laid-back nigga. Though from time-to-time certain situations cause me to have to lean the fuck up.
“I brought your ass a sausage biscuit and hashbrown from McDonalds’ nigga. As expected, I knew you would be trying to have a blunt for breakfast and shit. I thought about your ass, so I decided to provide you with some real nourishment”
“Real funny nigga. I was going to eat something eventually. I appreciate you for looking out for a nigga though”
“I know you’ll do the same for me. Shop is going to be crazy busy today. Got a couple of customs to do and some small cosmetic shit”
“That’s what I love to see. The custom shit is what brings the business in.
Its plenty of shops in the city changing oil and rotating tires.
Hell, some of this shit shade tree mechanics are doing out of the comfort of their own yards.
But the shit we provide when it comes down to customs, only we can do”
“Facts, that’s why business has been booming the way it has. Promoting and shit is a big help. Also, word of mouth goes a long way”
“I welcome all the clientele. I don’t give a damn if I have to step down and work my damn self. I ain’t oppose to getting my hands dirty”
“Whatever to bring that cheese in. We know what we do out here in these streets. What you have here is something that’s tangible man”
“I know it. My business is near and dear to me. I put everything I have into this motherfucker. I just want to continue to see it flourish. Who knows, maybe one day I can turn the business into a franchise. Have different shops set up all over the world. Shit, then I can see an end coming to the drug lifestyle. Then and only then. For now, I’ll continue ducking and dodging the police and keeping my foot on these niggas’ necks”.
Mazi nodded his head in agreement, and we slapped hands. That was code for he felt what I was saying and understood my logic perfectly.
One thing about time, it always flies. A while of us chopping it up and eating our breakfast, the staff started making their way in. I always preach to them about punctuality. If I’m always on time I expect nothing less from them.
I ain’t the type of nigga that like to be left waiting.
So, my staff knew to always be on time. In the instance that some unexpected shit comes up, they know to communicate that.
Can’t just make your way in my business when you damn well please and expect to be able to punch a clock. That’ll get your ass gone quickly.
Every employee spoke when they came inside and made their way in the shop.
My plan is to give everyone time to get in and get settled.
Then I would step in to make sure everything is good to go for start-up.
Mazi and I traded places, I allowed him to sit at my desk to make sure I didn’t miss any important emails or anything.