Cory Brown is the Owner of Cory's Point S Tire in Rapid City, South Dakota. Under Cory's leadership, the business has expanded to two locations, employing 35-40 staff members. Outside of business hours, Cory characterizes himself as an adrenaline junkie who enjoys car racing, snowboarding, motocross, and mountain climbing.

In this episode…

As any industry veteran can attest, the automotive field is an immensely competitive one. What makes a business thrive in a competitive sector, and how do leaders overcome the challenges posed by rapid growth and changing market dynamics? 

Cory Brown of Cory’s Point S Tire shares how he tackled these challenges head-on through a combination of grit, dedication, and strategic alliances. Raised in South Dakota, Cory took an unconventional path to success by embracing opportunities to learn and lead from a young age. His story unfolds with trials, triumphs, and the pivotal moment he joined Point S, a cooperative network that transformed his business landscape. Cory’s passion for cars and commitment to excellence, coupled with the support of a like-minded community, helped him build a business that stands out. Cory reveals how the Point S network not only provided tangible business benefits, but fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.

In this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Cory Brown to chat about the journey from an independent tire shop owner to a respected member of the Point S network. They delve into the intricacies of growing a family business in the tire industry and provide valuable insights into the power of building relationships, relentless work ethic, and leveraging the support of a cooperative network to achieve business goals.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [02:00] How Cory Brown's three sons keep him on his toes
• [02:29] Family dynamics and their role in toughness
• [03:14] Why Cory never backs down in arm wrestling
• [08:20] The benefits of attending Point S Tire Conference
• [09:08] Cory discusses his leap from sales to store management
• [10:38] The secrets behind Cory's successful store leadership
• [11:27] What made Cory skeptical about joining Point S?
• [19:08] How Cory balances family and adrenaline-fueled hobbies

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Cory Brown
• Cory's Point S Tire
• Custer State Park
• Crazy Horse
• Mount Rushmore
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments: 

• "Even though it's home, the Black Hills is one of my favorite places."
• "I have one button, and it's on. I don't really know how to play very well."
• "I was the youngest guy in the shop, which was so weird."
• "You gotta maintain that mental top position."
• "I think my favorite part is seeing the inter-family relationships."

Action Steps: 

1. Foster open communication within the team: Building a culture of open communication encourages sharing of ideas and concerns, which can lead to innovative solutions.
2. Embrace a collaborative environment: Fostering camaraderie within the workplace allows individuals to learn from one another and share different perspectives.
3. Inspire a strong work ethic: Demonstrating commitment and diligence can motivate the rest of the team to follow suit.
4. Leverage mentorship opportunities: Seeking guidance from more experienced individuals can provide valuable insights and help avoid common pitfalls.
5. Prioritize work-life balance: Engaging in fulfilling activities outside of work can improve overall well-being and job satisfaction.

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. 

At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. 

By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.

We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.