Chuck Space is the Executive Director of the Texas Tire & Automotive Association (TTAA) and the founder of Space & Associates, an association management and consulting firm. With more than two decades of experience working alongside tire dealers, auto repair shop owners, and trade organizations, Chuck has built a career focused on advocacy, governance, and strategic growth for industry associations.

Before leading TTAA, Chuck worked in public service, lobbying, and association leadership, giving him a rare perspective on how legislation, regulation, and business realities intersect. His work matters to shop owners because he operates at the point where policy decisions become real operational consequences: fees, compliance issues, labor challenges, and business continuity.

In this episode…

For many tire dealers and auto repair shop owners, joining a state association feels optional until it isn’t. This conversation centers on the real-world value behind state tire association benefits, especially when regulatory pressure, local government disputes, or unexpected legal issues surface without warning.

Rather than framing association membership as a perk or obligation, the discussion explores why collective representation, peer access, and advocacy matter more today than they did a decade ago. Rising costs, shifting regulations, and increased scrutiny make it harder for independent operators to stand alone, and this episode challenges the mindset of “I’ll deal with it when it happens” before that moment arrives.

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

[01:07] Who Chuck Space is and his role in the industry

[01:50] Early background and upbringing in Texas and New Mexico

[04:05] Career path into association leadership and consulting

[06:46] Advising associations on strategy, governance, and growth challenges

[07:35] Why tire and auto businesses should participate in state associations

[12:05] Real-world example of association support resolving a local dispute

[16:35] Texas’s business-friendly environment and industry growth context

[20:30] How Texas tire businesses can join the state association

[22:31] Practical value of peer guidance and shared experience

[24:37] Legal guidance and attorney access as a member benefit

[26:36] Leadership philosophy and personal values guiding Chuck’s work

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Chuck Space LinkedIn
• Texas & Tire Automotive Association Website
• Tread Partners
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast Website
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments:

• “You don’t need to sit there and scratch your head and try to guess what you should do as a member.”
• “It allows you to have a mini board of directors where you have the resources there that you can call on.”
• “When you come together, you speak with a louder voice.”
• “What one business can’t do by itself, the association can help accomplish.”
• “Very few legislators understand the indirect effects of what they pass.”

Action Steps:

1. Evaluate the state tire association benefits available in your market, focusing on advocacy, legal access, and peer support rather than discounts.
2. Identify one regulatory or operational risk in your business that would be easier to address with collective representation.
3. Build a habit of seeking experienced peer input before making major service, staffing, or compliance decisions.
4. Treat association membership as a risk-management tool, not just a networking opportunity.
5. Review whether your business has a clear path to legal or regulatory guidance before an issue becomes urgent.