Dustin's Book: Chapter Four (#127) — Transcript
Updated: Oct 26
THE PICTURE OF WEALTH · EPISODE 127
Dustin Serviss reads chapter four of his book, “Wealth Edge.” Theo meets an automotive entrepreneur and begins to question whether a business deal can capture the full meaning of wealth.
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This transcript was generated from the episode audio and lightly edited for readability. It may contain transcription or speaker-attribution errors. Refer to the recording for exact wording.
Chapters
[00:00:00] Chapter four: Wealth Edge
[00:01:45] Preparing to photograph an automotive billionaire
[00:02:57] Meeting Omar Ansari
[00:04:19] Is wealth what happens in a boardroom?
[00:05:36] The passion that led Omar to engineering
[00:06:49] When experience and natural ability create an edge
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Transcript
[00:00:00] Dustin Serviss: Welcome to the picture of wealth or TPAW as we call it. I am your host, Dustin Service. Listener, this is your trusted host, Dustin Service. I'm gonna be reading a book that I wrote for the next few weeks, each chapter, each episode. Enjoy. Chapter four, wealth edge. August twelfth two thousand sixteen, Austin, Texas. Omar Ansari was born and raised in Doha, Qatar, but immigrated to Italy as a young man where he'd spent the next fifty years building his empire supplying the world's most expensive car manufacturers with the world's most expensive parts, systems, and technology.
[00:01:04] Dustin Serviss: He'd made a name for himself in the seventies designing specialty parts for supercars. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati, all used parts designed and manufactured by Ansari Industries. Not stopping there, throughout the eighties and nineties, under his own hands on management, Omar's company had expanded internationally into manufacturing and industrial markets, all while maintaining his reputation for high end, skilled production. Today, his team had descended on Austin to meet with a major North American automaker that wanted his new hybrid super vehicle technology. And Theo was going to try to capture the CEO at the moment he
[00:01:45] Dustin Serviss: secured the multi billion dollar deal. He had the idea that if he shot the scene just right, he could somehow capture what had made Omar so successful. And if he could do that, there was no way he could lose. There was also a part of him that wanted to talk to the man about cars. Theo had been a formula one fanatic as a kid and was more than a little excited to meet the big time industry insider. His research told him he was not likely to witness the partying of a stereotypical flamboyant Italian car mogul well into his seventies. Omar had been married to his third wife, a former fashion model for thirty
[00:02:22] Dustin Serviss: years, lived a quiet but luxurious life in the Italian countryside and protected his privacy carefully. He had property around the world along with a museum quality car collection that Theo had fantasized about visiting one day. An assistant led him to the penthouse suite, where Omar was waiting in a wide, open plan living area with a full bar and entertainment system. Theo tried not to look too impressed. Omar was seated on a low, white leather sofa that looked more expensive than Theo's car, in front of a large plate glass window that revealed the endless view of Austin and the horizon.
[00:02:57] Dustin Serviss: He was dressed elegantly in a light, casual suit that fit him perfectly. The whole scene oozed wealth and luxury, but when Omar stood briskly and crossed the room to shake his hand, smiling jovially, Theo immediately forgot that he was speaking with a seasoned, self made billionaire. He seemed like a teenager in his seventy year old body. That's it. That's his secret, Theo thought and felt a thrill of excitement for the shoot the next day. Omar invited Theo to sit across from him in a ridiculously comfortable armchair and ordered two scotches from the assistant. Once they were settled, Omar leaned back and crossed his legs casually, bringing
[00:03:34] Dustin Serviss: to mind the few photos Theo had found online of a young Omar, posing on race tracks with drivers and in front of an assembly line he designed himself. Theo realized that this man's success was due to his intelligence and ambition. He was not a typical imposing man of the industry. So, mister Hardesty, Omar started, He had an interesting accent, a blend of Italian and his Qatari roots, Theo guessed, and spoke English very well. I hear you've come a long way to photograph my wealth. His eyes had a teasing glint and Theo felt just a little embarrassed. That's right, sir. Yes. To capture the ultimate wealth in a photograph or try to anyway.
[00:04:19] Dustin Serviss: Omar rubbed his chin thoughtfully. And what if, I may ask, do you think wealth looks like? Despite himself, Theo laughed a little and shrugged. Well, to be honest, mister Ansari, I'm not sure, but I think it might be captured tomorrow in your meeting. If wealth isn't the moment when a multibillion dollar deal is made, I don't know what is. Omar thought some more, staring at Theo and nodding. So you think wealth is what happens in the boardroom, do you? Theo frowned. I... It's got to be part of it. Right? Omar chuckled and reached for his drink. What is wealth? Everyone is always asking me.
[00:04:57] Dustin Serviss: He gestured around the room, ice tinkling in his glass. Look at this suite. Everyone can see my wealth. I can do anything I want. I have many homes, my own aircraft, I own the world's rarest cars. The sixty four Ferrari alone is worth many millions. Is that wealth? Seeing Theo hesitate, Omar laughed again. It is a fact that I have lots of money. But wealth? It is not two men in a room shaking hands that I know. Theo leaned forward. So, Mr. Ansari, what is it? Omar smiled. When I was a child in Qatar my family was very wealthy and very traditional. I was obsessed with car racing and watched all the grand prix and formula
[00:05:36] Dustin Serviss: one races on the television. I dreamed of working with formula one cars. I couldn't imagine anything else. Of course my parents didn't take that seriously but when I announced at sixteen I was going to study engineering to be a race car designer they forbid it. So when I was old enough I went to Italy on my own and put myself through university. I spent entire days at the track just watching those cars and even got to drive them and got to be pretty good. But my passion was how it all worked. What made a car a perfect racing car? I was bewitched. I could study them for hours.
[00:06:13] Dustin Serviss: The way they moved, the way they sounded, and I became good friends with so many drivers who told me what felt good when they were driving and mechanics who taught me how it all worked together. I put all that passion and obsessive knowledge into the first set of parts. The result was pure art. That's what they said anyway and sorry parts quickly became known as the best. Those days, that was when I felt the most wealthy. I was firing on all cylinders as they say, creating immersed in my products and the industry I truly loved. It was my edge, my wealth edge I like to call it.
[00:06:49] Dustin Serviss: All that obsession as a young man, my experience in school and in the field driving, creating parts in the shop with my own hands it gave me a marvelous edge when it came time to grow the business Your edge? Please tell me more about that Mr. Ansari Omar smiled, My natural passion, experience, and time on the track came through in my products and the way I did business. And that edge translated into investors who trusted me and believed in my vision. I was operating at the crux of my abilities, I could anticipate the needs of the drivers before anyone else and the technology required to meet those needs. I was always one step ahead.
[00:07:26] Dustin Serviss: My expertise gave me ultimate confidence as a leader in the industry. I wasn't some spoiled brat straight out of business school who started a company as a hobby. I was invested. Heart and soul. That moved me ahead of my competitors. Theo thought about his own design and marketing company and his waning interest in it. Lately he'd been feeling like the only thing driving him was his profits but he'd been distracted for a while. What was his edge? Omar seemed to read his mind. I can see you're considering your own situation. Maybe you haven't found your edge yet. The older man stood gracefully signaling the end of the meeting.
[00:08:04] Dustin Serviss: Theo stood as well. But there is one thing I can tell you about your wealth edge Theo. When you do find it, you will know. Thank you for tuning in to this episode. If you enjoyed the show, please like and rate the show. Share with a friend or use your new knowledge in your next conversation. If during the show something gave you a peg of inspiration, motivation or sense of uncertainty, act on it now. Get the clarity you're looking for. Find the permission you seek. Go to servicewealth dot com to discover how others are learning how to take Fridays off or buying a recreation property or spending more money.
[00:08:38] Dustin Serviss: If you're an organizer of an event where you believe my philosophy on finance lifestyle design would be applicable, go to servicewealth dot com and book me as a speaker at your next event. If you want a copy of our new book coming out soon, send me a message on Instagram or Facebook and we will be sure to get you a first copy.