Daily Inspiration: Meet David Castro

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Castro.

Hi David, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from the University of Nevada with a degree in journalism. After years of freelance work, covering the NHL, NASCAR, and everything else available, I was hired as a car description writer for Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions.

Due to the COVID outbreak, I was laid off from Barrett-Jackson but did more freelance automotive writing. In November 2021, I was hired as a contractor by the Collector Car Network to write car descriptions for their auction website, AutoHunter. In January, I accepted a full-time job as the Content Manager for their automotive news website, The CollectorCar.com Journal.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road to get to my dream job. After graduating from Nevada, I couldn’t land a writing job. I ended up working as a claims adjuster while moonlighting as a freelance writer covering the Arizona Coyotes, NASCAR, motorsports, and automotive news. It was all freelance work and was never enough to quit my day job.

For 15-years, I worked in the insurance industry, as a claims adjuster and insurance agent, and in 2019 I landed a job writing and editing car descriptions for Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions. It was an ideal job and made all the turmoil, struggles, and late nights at Gila River Arena covering hockey worth it.

Due to the Covid global pandemic, I was laid off at Barrett-Jackson, but it was a blessing in disguise. My wife and I were in a good situation so that I could stay home and help my son while he was homeschooled during the pandemic.

Time passed and with my son attending in-person school again, it was time to go back to work. I started as a contractor with the Collector Car Network writing collector car descriptions for their auction website, AutoHunter. After three months, I was hired full-time as the Content Manager for their automotive news website, The ClassicCars.com Journal.

I wouldn’t have my dream job without the unwavering love and support from my wife, Vinesa Gomez. She picks me up when I am down, gives me the confidence to live up to my potential, and always knows the right thing to say. You can function without support, but every day can be a struggle. With the love and support of my wife, I have flown higher than ever before.

It’s a dream. I love my work, I have great coworkers and it’s a wonderful culture to be a part of. I get to write about classic cars for a living. What else could I ask for?

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the content manager and an automotive writer for The ClassicCars.com Journal. The Journal is an automotive news website and I manage a staff of great writers.

Most of the time I work in our office, but during the recent Arizona Auction Week, I covered Barrett-Jackson, RM Sothebys, Bonhams, and World Wide auctions. I attend car auctions, events and have a great time covering all of them.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for a writer just starting out is to be patient because you may not find steady work or success right away.

Never stop working on your craft, stay persistent and focused. Work at the student newspaper in high school and college. It’ll give you a chance to get your feet wet and the opportunity to cover a wide variety of subjects. If you can’t land a writing job, start a blog.

Most importantly, never give up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://journal.classiccars.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClassicCarsJournal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NotoriousDPC

Image Credits
Katlynn Paasch