Oct 2, 2024
Chris Barry is Vice President of Sales at Independent Tire
Dealer Group. Since 1998, Chris has significantly contributed to
the company's growth. He started his career selling incense
door-to-door and later managed an athletic shop frequented by
celebrities in Southern California. Chris transitioned into the
tire industry with AKH Discount Tires, gaining comprehensive
knowledge. At ITDG, he’s played a pivotal role in expanding the
group from regional to nationwide, overseeing the introduction of
new programs and partnerships. Chris' deep commitment to customer
relationships is evident as he continues to drive sales and promote
dealer success.
In this episode…
The automotive industry is constantly evolving, with new
challenges and opportunities emerging for independent tire dealers.
How can these dealers stay competitive and profitable in today's
market?
According to Chris Barry of Independent Tire Dealer Group,
joining a buying group can provide significant advantages. By
pooling resources and purchasing power, independent dealers can
access container-level pricing, exclusive manufacturer programs,
and increased profit margins. Chris emphasizes the importance of
market protection, collaborative relationships among members, and
the "band of brothers and sisters" mentality that fosters a
family-like atmosphere within the group.
On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes
Chris to discuss his career journey, the growth of Independent Tire
Dealer Group, and the benefits of membership. They explore ITDG's
expansion plans, the importance of personal relationships in
business, and Chris' approach to customer service.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [01:20] How Chris Barry got started in sales by selling incense
in his neighborhood
- [03:35] Chris discusses his unique experiences, including his
first job parking cars for celebrities
- [04:46] How Chris transitioned from retail management to the
tire industry
- [09:57] Independent Tire Dealer Group’s beginnings and growth
from $16 million to hundreds of millions
- [11:11] The regional opportunities and market protection ITDG
provides its members
- [13:13] Why the strength of ITDG lies in the collaborative
power of its members
- [17:44] Chris outlines the one-, three-, and five-year outlooks
for ITDG's expansion
- [19:36] How ITDG focuses on member education to maximize their
success
- [22:52] Chris shares a surprising personal connection to Wayne
Gretzky and the NHL
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments:
- "When you’re out there selling hoops and meeting people,
just kill them with kindness."
- "Treat people the way that you expect to be treated."
- "My father owned an incense company, and we didn't have a lot
of money — he’d give me packs of incense and say, ‘Go sell these if
you want money for baseball cards.’"
- "We knew it was Thursday nights, and me and the guys would
always bring a football, playing catch, and Jim Plunkett would tell
us to run routes."
- "If you work together, you accomplish a lot."
Action Steps:
- Embrace the “kill them with kindness” approach: Emphasizing
positivity and kindness in interactions can lead to better
relationships and unexpected opportunities.
- Collaborate and share resources: Leveraging collective
resources enables smaller businesses to compete more effectively
via cost-saving and value creation.
- Prioritize market protection for stability: Implementing a
strategy that respects territorial boundaries establishes a fair
and predictable competition field.
- Develop versatility and deeper industry knowledge: Expanding
one’s understanding of products and services enhances the ability
to serve diverse customer needs effectively.
- Cultivate a family-oriented culture in business: Building a
business environment that values camaraderie and mutual support
leads to a more engaged and committed team.
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 info@treadpartners.com to learn more.