In 1963, Ray Ciccolo took a big leap, selling his burgeoning laundromat empire and putting the proceeds into a failing Volvo & Rambler automobile dealership in Newton Center, MA. Success was decidedly not preordained, but through hard work, foresight, and the contributions of Ray's employees, The Village Automotive Group is now regarded as one of the most successful and respected automotive organizations in Greater Boston. "I have been truly blessed in my life," explains Ray, "first and foremost because my own family life was and is so personally gratifying. Sharing and enjoying life with my wife and daughters, my siblings and their spouses, my nieces and nephews and everyone else has been a defining part of my life. The 2nd part of the equation is the family I've fostered at The Village. My father always emphasized that you should treat everyone like you yourself would want to be treated. It's a pretty simple rule, but it is a challenge for any of us to implement fully in our own lives, let alone embrace in our professional endeavors. But I know the main reason why we've been a success at The Village is because I tried to treat my employees like a family - everyone is welcome, everyone is respected. By treating my employees this way, they feel emboldened to not only give great customer service, but often go that extra step that separates us from the other stores. Given how well we have succeeded, we established our Foundation to give back in our own small way."
The Ciccolo Family Foundation honors both of Ray's families. To read more about CFF and the programs and initiatives we sponsor, please click over to our website.
