Turning a hobby into a career has worked out just fine for Ben Lavis as he builds a business that keeps him as enthusiastic today as he was when he first started

Rival 4×4 Australia Director, Ben Lavis, always knew he would end up working in the automotive industry.
“I’ve been in the automotive game all my life,” Ben says.
“My first job was cleaning shelves at the local spare parts store after school. I’ve always had a love of cars, and always will.
“I started to love cars as a kid watching Holden versus Ford at Bathurst. Dad had an A9X Torana at the time… what a beast. When I was in my teens I started working after school to start saving for my first car. I got my license on the day of my 17th birthday, and I’ve lost count how many cars I’ve owned since!”
Ben continued to work in the local parts business in Wollongong in New South Wales and eventually became Manager of two stores. But it was when he discovered four-wheel-drives that his passion for the industry really took off.
“I started to develop a passion for four-wheel-drives back in the ’90s, which eventually led me to own my own 4WD Accessories business in Wollongong,” Ben explains.
“I ran that for six or seven years before selling it and moving to Weipa (Queensland) to run a couple of mining maintenance businesses. After that I moved to Sydney and worked a corporate job for 13 years.
“That was a very product development focused role that developed into a Strategy development role for the 4×4 segments of the company.
“During this time, I sat as Chairman of the 4WD Industry Council and completed an MBA. My next challenge was moving back to Queensland and buying a motorcycle dealership. I currently run that business alongside my new role as Director of Rival 4×4 Australia.”
Ben is a big believer that to be successful at something, you have to be passionate about it.

“Find an industry you are passionate about,” Ben advised.
“Always look for ways to do things better and challenge the status quo, while surrounding yourself with clever people and learn from them.
“Strive to be the best in your job, regardless of your current role. This will help you outgrow your current position and expand your career.”
Ben is convinced that running your own business gives you attributes that you can’t develop as an employee for someone else.
“I had my first business up and running when I was 22 years old,” he said.
“I think having a ‘business owner’s mentality’ as I developed my career really helped. When working for other people, I have always treated every cent as if it were mine.
“If you have only ever worked for a corporate or other businesses, I feel it is really hard to gain that mindset.
“If you always treat someone else’s money like your own, you are more likely to make sure you are getting the best return possible for every dollar spent. This will naturally make you a better performing employee.”
Ben is also an advocate of the belief that attitude is more important than skill.
“Attitude is always going to take you further than skill. I know what I’m not good at and I find people who are! If you have a good attitude, just focus on your strengths and the rest will take care of itself,” he says.
Rival 4×4 Australia only started earlier this year as the exclusive distributor for Rival Automotive Accessories in Australia and New Zealand. The company’s structure is simple and operates through digital operations and a 3PL warehouse facility.
“As the brand has a heritage in Australia going back 10 years, the take up of our products has been very positive. We are focused on keeping things simple, and delivering excellent service from our team,” Ben says.
Rival became famous as the original designers and manufacturers of the loopless, aluminium bumper replacement front bars.
“I am proud to be the guy who came up with the concept well over 10 years ago,” Ben says.

Rival currently manufactures front and rear bars (which are ADR69 and Air Bag compliant), underbody armour kits, tailgate assist kits and bonnet strut kits, but has some big plans for the future.
“We have some very exciting new stuff on the horizon which will stamp Rival’s name as the leading innovators in this space,” Ben enthuses.
“We are focused on working with independent 4WD specialists around Australia and NZ. Rival wants to work only with four-wheel-drive specialists who speak our language.
“4WDs are becoming more and more technically advanced and we want to partner with dealers who can maintain the high level of quality and service that consumers demand.”
Ben says Rival 4×4 Australia’s growth plans are based on a solid philosophy.
“We design and develop products that are hard to replicate and are desired by many enthusiasts.
“We have a very simple business model and move quickly. No red tape – just good products and exceptional service,” Ben explains.
“We strive to be the innovator, not a copy cat. We lead from the front and keep our competitors wondering what’s next.
“Design and uniqueness have been our main competitive advantage. Consumers wanted something different, and Rival delivered.
“Rival has also invested in some incredible manufacturing equipment that enables us to produce products of high quality and strength.
“For example, we use deep stamping on our 6mm aluminium skid plates that gives the same as, or more strength than, steel skid plates, at a fraction of the weight. Using aluminium means we keep the weight down (good for GVM issues), and there is never any rust.”
Ben believes that Rival 4×4 Australia is ready for any challenge that the future may throw at the company.

“The 4×4 market has grown significantly in the last 10 years, but so have our competitors. It is critical that we continue to be the innovators in our niche market, and educate consumers on what good quality looks like,” he says.
“In addition to this, vehicle technology and the complex front ends of modern 4x4s makes design work more difficult.
“We are in a strong position with a large team of engineers and designers that will ensure we remain in a strong position as the market evolves. ADAS compliance is also a critical challenge as we move forward.”
At the same time, Ben is quick to point out that Rival is not for the mass market.
“We are for a niche group of enthusiasts who love their 4×4 and want to make it uniquely theirs,” he explains.
“We will continue to develop innovative and market-leading products that surprise the segment. We see our customers as our partners and a part of the Rival family.”
Away from the office, Ben is currently restoring a 1988 Holden Commodore VL Turbo and also enjoys 4WD touring, camping and riding his motorbikes.
“Motorcycle Adventure Riding is a big part of my life now. I love exploring the Aussie bush by bike and 4WD,” he says.
He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 23 years and has three daughters.
“My eldest two have moved out and our youngest still lives with us here in Warwick (Queensland),” Ben says.
“My eldest daughter shares a similar passion to me with the auto industry. My second eldest is an incredible artist studying animation, and my youngest is a country girl totally obsessed with horses.
“My family means everything to me and I’m lucky to have a wife that is totally supportive of everything we do. Let’s be honest, she’s the real brains behind the operation!”

To learn more about Rival 4×4, visit www.rival4x4.com