Podcast Title: The Mello Millionaire with Tommy Mello
Episode: The Quiet Millionaire: Joey Battista’s Rules for Money and Life
Release Date: August 8, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Mello Millionaire, host Tommy Mello sits down with Joey Battista, the CEO of automotive giants Mitsubishi and Nissan, to delve into Joey's remarkable journey from a young entrepreneur to a self-made millionaire. The conversation explores Joey's business philosophies, personal struggles, strategies for financial success, and the core values that have shaped his career and life.

Early Entrepreneurial Journey

Joey Battista's foray into entrepreneurship began at the young age of 21. By 24, he had already achieved millionaire status through his ventures in the automotive and commercial real estate sectors. However, the 2008 financial crisis proved to be a pivotal moment, leading to significant personal and professional setbacks.

• Startup Story: Joey recounts his initial foray into business, purchasing his first dealership "on the back of a napkin." He highlights the importance of creative deal-making in the automotive industry.

  "I was a young kid that made money and didn't know what the hell I was doing in business." [01:50]

Business Philosophies

Joey emphasizes the critical nature of understanding market dynamics and profit margins, especially in sectors with thin profit margins like the automotive industry.

• Profit Margin Awareness:

  "You have to be an extremely good operator. If you're not, you're dead." [03:53]

• Strategic Business Selection: Joey advocates for entering businesses with healthy profit margins or those where one possesses transferable skills. He believes that mastering the business is more crucial than merely making money.

Personal Impact and Family Influence

Joey's entrepreneurial spirit was heavily influenced by his father, a classic Italian businessman involved in the restaurant and nightclub industries. His father's pragmatic approach to career choices—college for specific professions, buying a house, or starting a business—shaped Joey's ambitions.

• Father’s Influence:

  "The most important decision that you can ever make in your entire life is who you decide to be with your significant other." [23:05]

• Family Dynamics: Joey shares heartfelt memories of his father taking him on business trips, fostering his love for entrepreneurship and business acumen.

Overcoming Failure

The 2008 financial downturn resulted in Joey losing his amassed wealth, pushing him to confront the harsh realities of business beyond just making money.

• Facing Rock Bottom:

  "I felt insignificant. I felt like I didn't matter. I felt powerless." [06:09]

• Learning from Failure: Joey learned the importance of cutting underperforming segments from the experience of closing failing dealerships.

  "The best way to do in business is you should always be clipping the bottom 20%, right? It can't be emotional." [07:05]

Money and Investments

Joey discusses his evolved perspective on money, shifting from aggressive asset acquisition to strategic investments aimed at long-term growth.

• Investment Strategy:

  "I know how to make the investments. I know how to do it. And that has been a lot of fun for me." [10:38]

• Asset Selection: He prefers investing in assets that appreciate over time, such as handcrafted boats and classic cars, rather than flashy expenditures meant to display wealth.

• Financial Philosophy: Joey advocates for living modestly and allowing money to work for you rather than showcasing wealth.

  "The goal is to be rich and not to look rich." [11:00]

Leadership and Hiring

Effective leadership and strategic hiring practices are central to Joey's business model. He underscores the importance of building teams with a strong competitive spirit and resilience.

• Hiring Philosophy:

  "Some people are just driven for it and have thick skin. People have to be hungry." [21:41]

• Team Building: Joey emphasizes creating a culture of innovation, excellence, and high performance, ensuring that his team is aligned with the company’s mission and values.

Integrity in Business

Integrity remains a cornerstone of Joey's business dealings. He defines integrity as consistently doing what you say you will do without compromising ethical standards for profit.

• Defining Integrity:

  "If I have to alter your belief in what you're getting from me in order to get your money, that's not integrity." [17:37]

• Ethical Influence: Joey integrates ethical considerations into his influence strategies, advocating for commitment in public and maintaining transparency in business practices.

Millionaire Habits and Advice

Joey shares the daily routines and habits that have contributed to his sustained success. He emphasizes discipline, continuous learning, and physical well-being.

• Daily Routine:

  "I'm up every day, four o' clock in the morning. I go to train every day and I read." [23:47]

• Advice for Younger Self:

  "The most important decision that you can ever make in your entire life is who you decide to be with your significant other." [23:05]

Legacy and Impact

Joey articulates his vision for legacy, focusing on the positive impact he has on others rather than just financial success. He aims to empower others to achieve their dreams and build wealth responsibly.

• Legacy Statement:

  "My legacy is not going to be how much money I made or how many groceries I fixed, but how many lives I affected in a positive way." [10:17]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Joey Battista reflecting on his journey, the lessons learned from failures, and his unwavering commitment to personal growth and integrity in business. Tommy Mello and Joey reinforce the notion that true success is measured not just by financial gains but by the positive influence one has on others and the resilience to overcome challenges.

• Tommy’s Final Thoughts:

  "Failure isn't always defeat. It's great to fail. You just learn a better way to not fail the next time, and that's it." [25:39]

This insightful conversation offers listeners a profound understanding of what it takes to build, scale, and sustain a successful business while maintaining personal integrity and fostering meaningful relationships.

Notable Quotes:

• "You have to be an extremely good operator. If you're not, you're dead." — Joey Battista [03:53]
• "The most important decision that you can ever make in your entire life is who you decide to be with your significant other." — Joey Battista [23:05]
• "If I have to alter your belief in what you're getting from me in order to get your money, that's not integrity." — Joey Battista [17:37]
• "Failure isn't always defeat. It's great to fail. You just learn a better way to not fail the next time, and that's it." — Joey Battista [25:39]

This episode serves as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and business leaders aspiring to achieve lasting success. Joey Battista's experiences and insights provide actionable strategies and motivational lessons for building resilient businesses and lives.