Back in 1998 I was working over at the Audi dealership as a lot attendant moving cars around while I attended Arizona State University. When a couple of guys drove up to the dealership in a T-Rex (fake Hummer), they were pitching cell phones as they just started to get popular. Jumping ship, I went to work for this company and sold cell phones to friends and family. After a short stint there, I headed to another cell phone company and we had a booth on ASU where kids signed up by the hundreds. After a disagreement with the owner, we parted ways. Thanks Dan (store owner), I owe you for that move :)!
What was I going to do? My best friend Rob Rohn and I started Vivid Wireless out of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity house back in late 1999. Rob and I hit up everyone we know and fliered dorms and apartments selling what was Voicestream plans and the ever so awesome Nokia 5190 phones. Soon Rob’s fraternity room was filled with containers of colored faceplates, flashing antennas, car chargers, and more. With $500 cash and 2 laptops, we were officially in business together. Check out how VividWireless.com looked online back in 2001!
Being both into cars, we soon spawned off Vivid Wireless and setup Vivid Racing so I could purchase some sweet ADR 17inch rims for my Acura Integra. Rob as well had a GSR that he put a Greddy Exhaust and AEM intake on. The Subaru WRX came along and the rest is history. Read the Vivid Racing Story Here.
In August 2001 after months of shipping MRT Subaru exhausts from my parents garage, Rob and I got our first “building” space. 1200 sqft of pure heaven. The windows always faced sun down so we put up tinfoil in the office since we did not have money for blinds. It had 2 offices and a small garage space. Shelving we built out of wood. In fact, we still use the wood shipping table we built! Can’t part with it as it is awesome! After selling Vivid Wireless and all of its inventory for around $10,000, it was all Vivid Racing from there on out. We spent hours and hours as one of the only internet shops selling JDM and hard to get WRX parts. With our simplistic HTML site and a couple of products, we stayed in business with 1 employee, then another, then had 4 or 5 on hand at the shop we call Vivid 1. 2 years later, it was time to take the next leap. Check out how our website has evolved over the years by Viewing the VividRacing.com time machine.
Vivid 2 was about 2 miles away and a huge jump for us at the time to 3500 sqft. At that time, we had the biggest “tuner” shop in AZ! With some cubicle wall, Office Max desks, and some more parts, we continued to evolve the company, our web technology, the product lines, and we took the big risk and installed 1 lift. We were big time 
. Through many different employees, challenges, and project cars, we strived for more.
On a flight back from visiting friends in New York, we opened the laptop and mapped out what we could do. We wanted to take a leap. Everything we had done since the start was our dollars. We wanted to continue our path and knew with the addition of more shops in AZ and more websites popping up, we had to go bigger. With the first stop from our commercial property broker, we found Vivid 3. The 10,000 sqft building that we reside in as I type this. Probably one of the nicest buildings I have ever seen. With amazing lighting, tile floors, granite counters, glass wall offices, and a seperate warehouse space which would later become our dyno room. Diving into this place was a huge step. With the additional of our manufacturing company, Agency Power, and having 20 employees on hand, this has been a true experience. 3 years later, through alot of thick and thin, we are still here, we still enjoy coming to work, and we still strive to achieve excellence.
After years of renting, our hard work and business strategies have worked out. Vivid Racing purchased our first property in which we will open to the public in August 2008. From $500, we now have a 16,000 sqft building in Gilbert, AZ which will be come the facility for others to copy. Rob and I both know that we are nothing however without the people that have helped us, including our employees. For those that have worked at Vivid Racing, thank you. For those that have purchased or just supported, thank you.
For those that are currently employed here and promote the best customer service and experience for Vivid Racing we recognize you: Amanda, Michele, Michael, Billy, Mike, Evan, Tony, Randy, Greg, Chico, Jeff, Hai, Ryan, Leah, Matt, Eric, Matt, Chris.
Stay tuned as our building comes to life! View All images here – https://www.vividracing.com/forums/gallery/browseimages.php?c=69&userid=
Absolutely amazing! That is one kick’n building… I’m going to have to come see it in person one day.
This looks so good, i hopes that i have time to take a look some day
good luck from Sweden
Congratulations guys! That is fantastic. I know how you feel as I started a Fiat parts business out of my garage in 1984 and went into my first rented 1200 square foot building in 1986. After two other rentals (each larger than the previous) I bought my own 5000 sq ft building in 1997. Too bad they stopped selling Fiats here as the parts market over the years declined and I eventually sold that building and closed the business.
You guys have made a much smarter choice in a much better/larger market. I wish you years of success. By the way, the “stuff” I order from you is always promptly delivered and exactly what I expected.
Best Wishes,
Ed
Very impressive building – and such a great story/history showing your dedication, determination, and success!
Great job guys!