Local car designer plans to shock the world
Many recognize Derek's [what was once a] '02 Kia
If some guy told you he was going to be a multimillionaire someday, would you laugh at him?
What if that same guy told you he was building a custom car from a 2002 Kia Spectra? What if he told you he already started his own business?
What if he told you that by the time he’s 30, he’ll have started a major empire? What if he showed you his business plans? Still laughing? You may want to reconsider.
For 24-year-old Derek Caffey, it’s not a joke. When the Youngstown State University finance major graduates in December, he plans to shock the automotive industry, and along with it, the world.
Caffey said it all started when he joined the military to get away from Youngstown.
“I was never really fond of Youngstown,” he said.
He wanted to travel and see the world. He also wanted to go to college. He couldn’t afford either, so he joined the Army.
Two years later, he found himself overseas, smack in the middle of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After two months, he had injured his lungs from inhaling chemicals and was released on medical discharge. When he finally made it home, with the monthly salary of an Army retiree, he made a plan.
“After being in the military and going to war, no one was going to dictate my life,” Caffey said. “So for one year, I did nothing. I did just that.”
During his year-long hiatus from the world, Caffey came up with his plan to pimp out his ride. He began tinkering with the car in his garage.
At first it was small things, like speakers. But then he decided to try fiberglass construction.
In the fall of 2004, he enrolled at YSU. That’s also when he started working heavily on his car.
He said he was horrible with finances and wanted to learn how to construct a vehicle himself. He turned to the Web and learned how to build car parts out of fiberglass. Through trial and error, about 4,000 hours of his time and more than $50,000 later, Caffey has himself a one-of-a-kind ride.
“It’s funny how many times people wave and talk to me,” Caffey said. “I have no idea who these people are. It’s the car.”
He started with the 2002 Spectra. Now, he has a car that’s nothing like the world has ever seen.
“It’s curvy, but muscular,” Caffey said. It’s not nearly ready, he said. He hasn’t even gotten a coat of paint on it.
As he likes to put it, “It’s still under development.”
In winter 2006, Caffey started his company, DeL’maci Automotive Design and Concept Development LLC. The company’s name is a cocoction of his own, using letters from his first, middle and last names. He has one employee: Tiki Hueston.
Caffey said he met Hueston near the end of May through a mutual friend. When they met, there were no expectations because both had unbelievable stories.
The connection was automatic, he said. Hueston was a perfect match for his company.
“We hit it off from the get-go,” Caffey said. “He’s exactly what I needed.”
Hueston’s general assumptions were the same as Caffey’s, but that all changed when he caught sight of the car.
“I thought it was a little far-fetched,” Hueston said. “When he opened the garage, I was astounded.”
Hueston spends his days working in distribution at Joy Cone Company in Sharon, Pa. The 52-year-old helps Caffey with marketing, 3D models, graphic design and the company’s Web site. Together, they hope to develop a dynamic marketing concept, one unlike the car industry has ever seen.
Hueston said the 28-year age difference has never been an issue. In fact, the two of them are more alike than most people realize. They share similar dreams, goals, values — and let’s not forget the fact that both are car designers, and dedicated to the project.
“I’m in with him 100 percent,” Hueston said. “It’s a great opportunity to get in at the ground level for what I believe will be an empire.”
Caffey said his main goal in life is to be a multimillionaire. He loves spending his time doing what he wants to do, and doesn’t want to have to worry about money. Not everyone follows their hearts and desires to bigger and better things, and that is a shame, he said.
“You’re not going to win the lottery,” Caffey said. “To make it happen, you have to do something about it.”
Caffey is also a personal trainer and wants to open a healthy fast-food restaurant and a spa for men.
He became a certified personal trainer during his stint in the Army. He said he’s always dealing with money, but no matter how much money you have, you always need your health. Plus, he said, people treat you better when you’re pretty.
“I’m going to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger, except I could be president,” Caffey said. He wasn’t kidding.
He said his success can be attributed to how he’s chosen to live his life. He said he's never smoked anything and doesn’t drink alcohol. So, as a kind of social misfit among his peers, the only person he wants to impress is himself.
“I am the way I am because growing up, I was different,” Caffey said. “I wanted to [be myself] and do it to the best of my ability.”
He said he rarely hangs out at bars and uses his spare time to plan out his empire. He hasn’t dated for two or three years, not because he doesn’t have time, but because he said it’s hard to find a nice girl in the city he’s lived in for his entire life.
“I’m hoping for someone who will complement me,” Caffey said. “It’s a lot harder than I thought.”
The bottom line for Caffey is to make himself more financially free. He loves cars, especially expensive ones like Lamborghinis and Ferraris, and he loves to travel. He wants to be able to pick up and go when and where he wants.
“I only get one life to live and the hours are decreasing each day,” Caffey said. “I want to do exactly what I want to do.”
Comments
Wow, what an arrogant a$$hole.
If I had a dollar for each idiot who claims to be a multimillionaire in the future, I would be a multimillionaire.
While some wisdom and personal lessons can be distilled from this man (taking personal responsibility...), this article made him to look like a foolish and facetious man who is overstepping and extending himself.
A perfect representation of what the Valley truly needs!
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The previous comment just shows how much ignorance is prevalent in this valley and that's exactly why we as people aren't able to achieve anything we aspire to do...It's the crab-effect...Once someone has a dream and want to climb to the top, discord occurs and they want to pull the man back down...I'm very supportive of Mr. Caffey's aspirations and I'm not saying that just because we go back to the 7th grade...I truly want to see him succeed and I know that he'll become that millionaire that he wants to be...As for people like the_vindy_chump, I appreciate the negativity cuz when people are about to reach the next level, they always seem to get a boost up, so keep the faith Derek...
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TO THE VINDY KID!! SEE YOU ARE THE TYPE THAT DONT KNOW WHEN TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.JUST BECUASE YOU MOST LIKEY STILL LIVING WITH YOUR MOM PLAYING XBOX AND YOU SHE SOMEONE OUT THERE DOING SOMETHING WITH THERE LIFE YOU HAVE TO HATE. DEREK WILL BE WHERE HE SAYS HES GOING TO BE, VINDY KID NEEDS TO KEEP HIS INBREED COMMENTS TO HIS SELF BEFORE SOMEONE STUFFS THEM DOWN HIS THROAT!! CAUSE PUNKS JUMP UP TO GET BEAT DOWN.
MR. CAFFEY IM BEHIND YOU 1000%. AND WHEN YOU MAKE IT, YOU CAN BUY VINDY KIDS LIFE AND SALE IT ON EBAY! LOL!! MUCH LUV CUZ STAY UP!!
BIG MEL TRENT
C.E.O.
NICH-VEGAS
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Impressive dreams, no doubt. So let me get this right, he's going to build an empire on modifying the looks of another brands car? There was a company in the valley that did that, Avanti. Where are they now? A small custom company in Cali, 50 years later still not making a big splash. DeLorean did that too. There's TONS of fabrication companies doing fiberglass body kits. The market is oversaturated as it is.
Does he have a sweet fuel efficient idea? He must be a bright youngster to be on that path. Wait, that's been done too, and they have a coat of paint on it.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/09/...
If someone has plans for an empire, go for it! In this case, you should kind of mention just what your product or idea is, and why it's revolutionary, and more importantly, not already on the mass market.
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REDMEN44 couldn't have put it better! I've known Mr. Caffey since we were kids and, yes, he may be odd and eccentric, but always himself. I believe in him and I know once he puts his mind to it, he'll get it done. He can put this HATER generation behind him and he probably needs to get out of this area because there are so many blood suckers out there that just can't wait to have something negative to say.... ABOUT ANYTHING OR ANYBODY! Derek, you've got all the support you need from your friends and family.... just like we talked about before its the 'Youngstown Mentality' that needs to go and no wonder we can't let it go! Do what you gotta do, don't let anybody deter you.
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Not trying to be a hater, just asking what else? So far i see he's made a new body for his kia. So, what else is there? The article didn't clearly explain. Because making body panels won't make you a millionaire...
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First, I would like to thank all individuals who read the article and Sarah Poulton for a well written article and Katie Libecco for recommending she consider me for an article. Next, I would like to clear up a couple of questions or concerns which some individuals seem to have. Ms. Poulton obviously could not include everything that we discussed during the interview. Believe me I talk a lot. When I mention the idea of building an empire this is a general overlay of the plans. The car itself, which was not fully shown as it is still under development is a major tangible asset. However, it is not the most valuable asset, rather the actual design (intangible asset) is. Think about individuals such as Chip Foose, Ralph Gilles (Chrysler 300), or Harley Earl. These individuals made their success through designing the vehicles which inspire, fascinate and thrill the human spirit. Also, you have to think of a car as a work of art. Now I know some people may think of their car as strictly a machine or mode of transportation, but think of a 2007 Ferrari 430, 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, 2006 Panoz Esparante or Ultima GTR. These vehicles are works of art whether static or in motion.
The car itself can easily move six figures, but the design can make substantially more not including residual income obtained through royalties or their equivalent. To me this was the main reason I decided to get a degree in finance. Individuals who are truly financially savvy, which happens to be not as many as people as you think, do not have to make a million dollars to become a millionaire. A couple hundred thousand is enough to get the ball rolling as long as you maintain discipline and a rational mind when it comes to finances. This company and car for me is what will get the ball rolling. Also, I cannot predict the individuals I will run into as a result of taking these first steps, which will help take me from millionaire to multimillionare, but I can garauntee that when I do meet these individuals I will benefit because I have been preparing for it my entire life. When I say I will be a multimillionaire I say this for two reasons. The first reason is I believe if you want something you should be specific about what you want and second money to me has no real value, but the freedom and options (read TIME) it allots to individuals to pursue their hearts desire is worth more to me than you could imagine. I would like to conclude by stating I appreciate all the individuals who commented as I never expect all feedback to be bright and sunny, most of the time I expect it to be negative as a result of the life experiences. All I do expect or hope for is honesty whether good or bad because you can grow from both. Thank You.
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wow he is a pompus idiot and how is this news? and the writing reads like someone falling down stairs.
"Caffey is also a personal trainer and wants to open a healthy fast-food restaurant and a spa for men"
so wait...he's gay too?
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and by the by royalties? maybe if you're chip foose and you're putting your name on a wheel made by brandX. designers make a salery around 36,000 a year. not too much more unless you're the current wonder boy like micheal graves or karim rashid and you can get major corporate tie ins. get a clue how the world of design works. wait...why am i even addressing your delisions?
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