People in business: Matt Ralm

Matt Ralm, the owner of Mobil on Te Ngae Rd, got started in the fuel business as a teenager and has big ambitions for the future.

Briefly outline your position/s and career to date.

I owned my first petrol station at 19 years old so I learn very fast. My parents always had smaller businesses so with their influence I have built many businesses. In the space of a year I have become the busiest owner/operator Mobil site in New Zealand.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

It was a year after college when I bought my first petrol station in Te Kawa, retanked and rebranded it. I didn't even know how to pump petrol at the time. It was a fast learning curve.

What do you see as the greatest opportunity and greatest challenge in your sector in the year ahead?

Coming to Rotorua, I knew nothing of the past history of the site but, based on massive traffic count, I knew it was going to be a challenge. But our great team, my leadership and great market pricing has built loyalty and I couldn't be happier.

What three skills or qualities are essential in your role?

Being positive and treating all customers with respect no matter how much they are spending. Coming up with different marketing strategies to compete with bigger sites - that means I'm always experimenting, which I can do because I'm independent. Just years of experience in the market and running tight businesses.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

It's hard work. I don't count the hours, as any boss would know, but my staff are starting to take on more of the day-to-day running of the business, which gives me time to focus on another petrol station very soon.

If you could do any other job for a day, what would it be and why?

I have a passion for fast cars and supercars, so definitely a professional driver. I love everything to do with motorsport and have competed for many years, which is probably why I got started in this industry in the first place.

What is one thing most people don't know about you?

I am Indian and I'm fifth-generation New Zealand. My family have been here over 100 years, so I'm 100 per cent Kiwi at heart and proud of it.

What achievement are you most proud of and why?

That I've achieved so much in nine years - I started with small businesses and kept growing to where I'm running multi-million dollar businesses.

What one piece of advice do you wish somebody had given you when you were starting out?

Be positive and always follow your gut instinct.

If you could choose anybody to be your business mentor, who would it be and why?

Donald Trump. I'm fascinated with how he started - I definitely want to follow in his footsteps, so I am starting to diversify into the commercial market.