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This Week we Feature Young Professional Tarik G. Wilson

Young Professional Tarik G. Wilson said that he had an early fascination with working on high-end cars. Photo:supplied
By Ron Henry

Our Young Professional of this week can be considered no stranger to challenges, however, he has managed these challenges whenever they arose with a spirit of adventure and a smile of confidence.

Virgin Islands News Online proudly presents Tarik G. Wilson.

Wilson can be considered a young aspiring visionary. At at the delicate age of a teenager, he had already made up his mind to challenge the status quo by starting the tedious journey of becoming an entrepreneur in his own right as the owner of his very own high-end auto care facility.

The second of four siblings, Wilson, 22, is currently a Technician in his chosen vocation of auto care and he is making fast strides towards becoming an expert in the repair and maintenance of high end vehicles.

Though our Young Professional started his humble journey in Texas, his foundation was built in the Virgin Islands where he attended several local schools including the Althea Scatliffe Primary School, the Elmore Stoutte High School as well as the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).

He explained, “I moved to Texas in 2009 to extend my education in Mechanics” and disclosed that studying for him has had its ups and downs, periods of excitement and struggles but he has managed to stay focused with the support of family and friends.

After moving to Houston, Texas where he got accepted and attended the Universal Technical Institute, Tarik spent two years completing an academic programme that brought him some amount of notice through his excellent performances and a subsequent transfer to the Orlando, Florida branch of the Institute to specialise in BMW auto care.

As a certified BMW Technician for the past eight months, he has since had the privilege of working at Braman BMW and Rolls Royce auto care based in Miami, Florida.

He explained that he gets out of bed around 6AM to get to work for 7AM and meets with a team leader who delegates jobs based on customer complaints received for various models of BMW luxury vehicles.

“Most of the time,” he related, “I have to pull the dashboard apart, the entire vehicle interior, just to change an AC component.” He suggested that this was the most frequent complaint but he also dealt with transmission problems and engine repairs as well. He described his job as involving a lot of troubleshooting and explained that this required a lot of patience and intuition.

Much of the work is based on assessment and verification of the customer complaints but even though he may at times spend an entire day on a single car, he explained that he was always up for the challenge that came his way.

Relating one of the odd days that came around, Wilson said one day a customer came in and complained about a scent on her vehicle and to his surprise, after doing an inspection, he discovered that the customer had unfortunately managed to have a cat melted to the exhaust system of the car and he had the "distinct pleasure" of having to remove it. This was something he described as one of the worst jobs ever and one he definitely did not hope to revisit at any point in the future.

Wilson disclosed that he had an early fascination with working on high end-cars and his inspiration came from being around cars with his uncle ‘Smiley’ as early as age 12. “I always used to notice that people had to come from abroad to work on high end cars, and I was already accustomed to working on cars so I had already made up my mind at an early age that this is what I wanted to do,” our Young Professional revealed.

Explaining his vision further, he said “I want to start my own establishment, working on high-end cars, so we don’t have to bring persons from away to be doing repairs and persons that live right [in the Virgin Islands] could do this for us.” “I wanted to be the person to do that,” he added.

Wilson said he wants to set up an auto care shop for cars such as BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar once he returns to the VI and has already decided on the name - Wilson Complete Auto Care - for his business.

He further revealed that working with Braman has required him to always stay current with the latest techniques in auto care, so he has to remain on the ball with his studies and this is a requirement that is endorsed and fully supported by the company.

Being away from his family for such a long time has been really tough by itself but Wilson was particularly in praise of the support and encouragement given by his cousin, Scherrie whom he credits for always pushing him to give his all in everything. “Sometimes I get homesick and I want to come home,” he said, “but I know that I’m on a mission and I have to remain focused.” He was also happy that his girlfriend was able to visit him in Texas despite the fact that he was thousands of miles away from close family and friends.

Outside of auto care, our Young Professional reveals that he likes playing basketball, bike riding and chilling out at home watching television.

Wilson encourages youths to stay focused, work hard and remain committed once they have their mind set on a goal. “Don’t limit your challenges,” he said, “instead, always challenge your limits… chase your dreams.”

29 Responses to “This Week we Feature Young Professional Tarik G. Wilson ”

  • ann (09/11/2012, 07:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    good job t big ups
  • Brit (09/11/2012, 08:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Upppp Tarik!! Very good pick Vino Tarik you are a great example of well rounded young man was alway hard working and willing to learn..I am so proud of you. Continue to chase your dreams you will be successful in what ever you do cause you always give it your best!! <3
  • J (09/11/2012, 09:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations Tarik, so great to see another young man making it big in this world. I see you dream chaser
  • Tyne (09/11/2012, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The General must be smiling from ear to ear with pride. Continue to work hard and stay focus. Always remember to give thanks and praise to Jehovah God your maker and sustainer.

    We love you and have your back!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Proud Teacher - LV (09/11/2012, 09:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing is as rewarding as seeing your students do positive things in society and follow their dreams. I am so proud of you Tarik! You were one of my model students who has grown into an ambitious young man. Keep up the great work!
  • Bro (09/11/2012, 09:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big ups to my lil brother making the news! Doing big things this only the beginning dawg like we use to say growing up always aim for the stars!
  • Stranger (09/11/2012, 09:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations Tarik!!!
  • Michael A. Turnbull (09/11/2012, 10:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Proud of you bro., good to know you keeping it in the middle of the road. Really proud of you. MIKEY.
  • AJ (09/11/2012, 10:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good Pick Vino! Good job Tarik!! Good to see you doing well!
  • Joycie (09/11/2012, 10:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats Tarik.....Wishing you all the best. When you come back perhaps you can refurbished my old BMW.
  • Congrats (09/11/2012, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is good to see another positive young man being featured this week. We of the Lower Estate,Horsepath and Huntums Ghut environs are proud of you. Continue to be focussed and goal oriented. You are a role model for the young boys of the area. Rising above all odds.
  • Hatcha (09/11/2012, 11:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boy was I shocked to see my lil cuz on here this morning! Well Chucky stay focused and stack that paper so you can realise your dream of opening a proper high end vehicle autocare centre and then (only then) will I invest in a Euro car! Hope to see you soon (this month) and keep striving. A
  • Tom cat (09/11/2012, 11:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    aaaaaaaaaah I have watched this young man grow up here from a baby..good going i am proud.
  • Paris (09/11/2012, 11:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep up the good work Tarik!!!
  • Ann Romney (09/11/2012, 11:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    and he looks hot too..does he have a girlfriend?
  • ESHS CLASS OF 2008 (09/11/2012, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BIG UP T! Continue to make us and your parents proud!!!
  • RealTalk (09/11/2012, 16:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do your thing homey
  • Auntie Patsy (09/11/2012, 17:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm so proud of you my nephew!
  • AXA family (09/11/2012, 20:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats T from your family in Anguilla
  • cia (10/11/2012, 01:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    much luv for you Tarik only luv.
  • Tan (10/11/2012, 17:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm so very very proud of the handsome, intelligent, determined, focused, yet humble man you have become T! Continue to make the family proud! We love you always!
  • ONE LOVE (11/11/2012, 14:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations, and best wishes on your future endeavors. Continue to strive for excellence. Remain humble, and also challenge your limits
  • Jo (12/11/2012, 11:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Didn't get to stop by Friday...so here I am now. I am so very proud of you T! You are what all young boys should strive to be. Intelligent, determined, focused and goal driven. Continue doing what you are doing and only great things will come your way! You are an excellent role model for my boys and the rest of the younger ones in the family. Continue to make us proud! Love you!
  • classmate (15/11/2012, 05:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job Tarik.. this young man is a credit to our generation and shows what having a goal and working hard can do.


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