In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Hadley, the owner of Corvette Realm, to talk about his journey from being a car enthusiast to running a thriving e-commerce business in the automotive industry. Nathan shares how his love for cars led him to the world of selling parts, the challenges of launching an online store, and how automating inventory management helped him scale from just 200 to over 80,000 parts.
But that's not all—Nathan is also building a race team, using motorsports as a unique way to market his business and connect with customers. He dives into the power of sponsorships, industry networking, and finding the right partners to succeed in both racing and e-commerce. Whether you're in the automotive business or just love cars, this episode is packed with insights on marketing, scaling, and standing out in a competitive market.
Key Takeaways:
- From Hobby to Business – His passion for track driving inspired him to start selling parts.
- Scaling with E-Commerce – Transitioning online helped him grow inventory from 200 to 80,000 parts.
- The Power of Automation – Automating inventory was a game-changer for balancing business and family.
- Marketing Lessons Learned – Early efforts lacked focus, but refining his approach led to better results.
- Racing as Marketing – Building a race team has helped boost brand visibility.
- Sponsorship & Partnerships – Collaborating with manufacturers has opened doors for growth.
- Shop-in-a-Box Advantage – This tool streamlined operations and made scaling easier.
- Know Your Audience – Selling car parts? Go where car guys are!
- Plan for Success – Whether in racing or e-commerce, strategic planning is key.
- Networking Matters – Events like SEMA offer valuable business connections.
Guest Bio:
Founded in 2020 during the pandemic, Miata Realm began as a small online retailer specializing in Corvette and Camaro parts, initially selling on Amazon. As demand grew, the business expanded to Walmart and eBay before launching its own website in late 2022 with Data Here to There’s Shop in a Box, enhancing product offerings and customer engagement.
Now, Miata Realm is gearing up for its next chapter—launching a powersports website in January with DH2T. In addition to e-commerce, the company has ventured into motorsports, forming a race team to compete in SCCA and NASA Time Trials. They are currently collaborating with brands for race team and car sponsorships, further solidifying their presence in the performance and racing community.
Guest:
- Email
- Website
- Facebook
- Instagram
- YouTube
Hosts:
Brennan Christman, Data-Here-to-There
Jay Funnell, Data-Here-to-There
Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital
Don’t miss an episode from the Year, Make, Model, Money! podcast:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- LinkedIn
- YouTube
