Driving Success Together: How Clement Auto Group Fuels Community Growth in St. Louis

At First Mid, we take pride in supporting all businesses. This November, in celebration of Small Business Saturday, we're highlighting a business that inspires entrepreneurs looking to grow their ventures and positively impact their communities.

Clement Auto Group, founded in 2012 by Penuel Raj Clement, is a leading automotive dealer in the Greater St. Louis area. The group is known for its customer-first approach, offering a wide range of new and pre-owned vehicles, customization services, financing, and maintenance. Under Raj's leadership, Clement Auto Group has become a respected name in the industry, providing employment opportunities across the region from Florissant to Wentzville.

We asked Raj about his business journey and experience working with Allen Burnett, First Mid commercial lender in St. Louis.

1. How did you start your career as an entrepreneur? Is this your first business?
I started my career as an entrepreneur while attending Gateway College of Evangelism, now known as Urshan University, in Wentzville, MO. To support myself through my Theological studies at the Seminary, I began selling affordable cars on Craigslist. After completing my degree, I worked at a local dealership selling cars before starting my own dealership in 2012. This began Clement Auto Group and my first major business venture. Since then, I have continued to expand and succeed in the automotive industry.

2. Did you find external resources such as courses, training programs, or mentors helpful in your journey?
My father was a key mentor in my life, and I believe I inherited his talent for bringing people together. While he used these skills in his ministry, I apply them in the business world. I started in the industry with little knowledge about cars. On my first day selling cars, a customer asked about a Monte Carlo, and I didn't know what it was. I asked the customer which color the car was so I would know which car they were referring to. Despite this inexperience, I quickly became the top salesperson, driven by a strong desire to excel.

3. How did you grow your company into what it is today? Were there critical foundational elements that contributed significantly?
I worked very hard, and I built strong relationships. Additionally, the team we've built is a critical element to the company's success. Having the right people on your team makes the difference. All have been essential in supporting my accomplishments.

4. Have you encountered challenges while starting or running your own business?
I have never allowed obstacles to deter me from pursuing my dreams. As the youngest dealer to operate a Hyundai Motor America franchise and the nation's youngest first-generation Ford Motor Company dealer, I have always stood out in my field. Currently, I am the only first-generation Ford, Hyundai, and Stellantis dealer in the Greater St. Louis area. This unique position has presented challenges but has also afforded me distinctive opportunities and advantages.

5. What advice would you give others thinking about becoming an entrepreneur?
My advice to anyone considering entrepreneurship is to take that first step. Even if you only have 10% of the necessary resources, begin anyway. Trust your gut if you have an idea. Don't let hesitation hold you back; starting is the most significant factor in determining your business success. The other pieces will come together as you move forward, but you must start even before you feel ready.

6. What are the next steps for your business? Do you have plans to expand?
We are in a major expansion phase. Recently, we completed two dealerships: a $7 million pre-owned dealership last fall, which we aim to grow by 150% in the next year, and a new 30,000 sq. ft. Hyundai dealership facility with all-glass frontage, which now has the highest inventory in the state, and we believe will be the largest Hyundai dealership in the Midwest. We are also building a $12.3 million pre-owned facility, set to finish next spring, and a new 70,000 sq. ft. Ford dealership with what will be the nation's most prominent Ford frontage sporting the new Ford corporate design, representing a $55 million investment. We are excited about these developments and future growth.

7. How does Clement Auto Group give back to the St. Louis community?
Our Drive for Excellence program awards a brand-new Ford Mustang to a local high school student annually. Now in its third year, the program promotes good grades and attendance by offering raffle tickets for report cards with A's and B's-three tickets per A, one per B, and three extra tickets for perfect attendance. Students can enter three times a year at any of our six locations. In April, we draw 20 finalists to try keys, with one lucky student winning the Mustang. The program restarts every August to coincide with the beginning of the school year. Learn more about the Drive for Excellence Programhere.

8. How has First Mid made an impact on your business?
I have had a long-standing relationship with First Mid. My initial banking relationship was with Jefferson Bank, which First Mid acquired. Over the years, I have secured several commercial loans from them, including funding for our service department and transportation trucks. Their support has been crucial to the growth of my business. I have worked with several commercial lenders at First Mid, and working with my current commercial lender, Allen, has been easy. Whenever I have needed financing for another aspect of the business, he has been there to help and guide me.

9. Do you also work with First Mid for purposes beyond commercial lending?
Yes, they provided financing for my home, and I hold multiple accounts with them. I highly value the relationship we have maintained over the years.

If you dream of starting or expanding your business, click here to learn more about our Commercial Loans. Our commercial lenders are here to help.

*This Q&A was edited for clarity and length.

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