Jack Limbaugh is President of Jack's OK Tire Service, a family-owned tire service business based in Algona, Iowa. Under his leadership, the company has expanded significantly, now operating multiple locations and providing exceptional customer service to agricultural and commercial customers. Jack is passionate about college football, with a rich family history of involvement in the sport, including his sons and grandsons playing at the university level.

In this episode…

What does it take to transform a small-town tire service into a flourishing multi-location business? How can a commitment to community and a strong family legacy guide success over decades?

According to Jack Limbaugh of Jack's OK Tire Service, his family's business, founded in 1952, expanded through strategic growth and strong community ties. Jack describes how his father's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach set the foundation for their success. His father empowered employees to take ownership of new locations, fostering a culture of opportunity and loyalty. Jack highlights how the business has adapted over the years, embracing technology and expanding service offerings to meet the evolving needs of their agricultural and commercial clients.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge chats with Jack about the evolution and legacy of a family-owned tire service. He offers insights into navigating growth in a small-town business. Jack shares personal anecdotes, such as his father’s participation in key historical events and strategies for expanding the business while maintaining a family-oriented approach. He discusses the challenges and rewards of running a multi-generational enterprise and the role of faith and community in driving success.

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

• [01:44] How a chance meeting sparked this podcast episode
• [02:34] The college football legacy within Jack Limbaugh’s family
• [06:02] Jack discusses his father's entrepreneurial spirit post-World War II
• [11:59] The risk Jack's father took to start his business
• [20:25] How Jack's family-oriented approach impacts the business
• [22:25] The mantra guiding Jack's company ethos every day
• [26:44] Why Jack was a perfect fit for the podcast

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jack Limbaugh on LinkedIn
• Jack’s OK Tire Service 
• Eric Crouch
• Tom Osborne
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments: 

• "My dad's first sales job was selling the guy into selling him the business."
• "After you've been through World War 2, that's nothing, right?"
• "Jack's Tire and Service: Our family cares for your family's tires."
• "We've been here. God's blessed us, and we just try to be good stewards of His blessing."
• "Whatever we do in word or deed, do all to the glory of God."

Action Steps: 

1. Foster a family-oriented work environment:  Emphasizing a family culture within your business can enhance employee loyalty and satisfaction. 
2. Adapt and evolve with industry changes: Ensure that your business remains competitive and relevant, addressing challenges like changing technology and market demands.
3. Invest in employee growth and opportunities: Providing opportunities for employees to take ownership or grow within the company can foster a motivated and driven team.
4. Engage actively in community and networks: Being involved in community organizations and maintaining a strong local presence can enhance your leadership presence and business credibility.
5. Maintain resilience and optimism in leadership: This attitude helps leaders navigate difficult times and seize opportunities, fostering a forward-thinking and resilient mindset in their teams.

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.