Neal Maier is the Co-founder of Tread Partners; a digital marketing agency focused on using SEO, marketing, and branding to help tire companies and auto-repair shops grow and thrive. Neal was previously a Partner at 3VE and COO of TexTivia, which rebranded into 3VE. He has worked for multiple automotive companies such as Autoshop Solutions and Auto Pro To Call.

Mike Edge is in Business Development at Tread Partners. He has had a lengthy career in his field, previously being the Owner and Business Development expert for Resource Connection, Inc., Director of Business Development at Upright Communications, and Owner of T.M. Edge, Inc.

In this episode…

How can your brand be a model for growth and employee respect in an industry that is changing? 

For Neal Maier and Mike Edge, interviewing pioneers in the auto industry provides the opportunity to connect with others. Neal and Mike highlight innovative ways to improve marketing tactics, customer interactions, and employee relations this week.

In this episode of the Gain Traction Podcast, Rise25 Co-founder Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with hosts Neal and Mike to discuss their favorite past episodes and purposeful conversations. Together, they discuss the importance of community, marketing, and education in the auto industry, cultivating a workplace based on mutual respect, and some of the challenges owners and customers face.

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

• Neal Maier and Mike Edge discuss events as a way to connect with automakers and industry leaders
• The importance of community and empowering employees during times of hardship
• How to be a pioneer for creating a culture of education and enthusiasm in your business
• Mike talks about the impact a virtual tour can make with your customers
• Leading and acquiring teams through respect
• How to appreciate your brand while preparing for an exit
• Neal talks about some of the biggest challenges owners and customers face

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• "Inspiring Success by Sharing Stories” on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• ADAPT: Automotive Technology Summit
• "From A Mall Basement to Multi-Location Tire Business" on the Gain Traction Podcast  
• "Continuing Education for Tire Employees" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "Building a Unified Team Culture" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "Stop Merely Getting Sales and Start Building Customers" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "Attracting Customers Through Interactive Videos" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "Creating a Work Happy, Values-Based Culture with Marc Pons of Chapel Hill Tire" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "Creating an Inclusive Automotive Business with Jody DeVere of AskPatty.com" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "Acquisition for Exponential Growth with Jeffry Gardner of Sun Auto" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "Preparing for an Exit with Dennis McCarron" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "How to Take Strategic Business Risks with Jarid Lundeen" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• Dan Molloy on LinkedIn 
• "Customer Satisfaction, Franchising, and Marketing in the Auto Care Industry with Andy Fiffick of Rad Air" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• "Who is the Real Competition to Tire Dealers and Auto Shop Owners?" on the Gain Traction Podcast 
• Dr. Jeremy Weisz on LinkedIn  
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Neal Maier on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

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.