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In this season-ending conversation of Johnny g & Friends, the question that we asked during every interview – How do you work on the business instead of in the business? – becomes the connective tissue for a powerful wrap-up of tire industry greatness. What emerges across these voices is a shared truth no matter the strategy or leadership style. The fact is, growth only happens when owners trust their people, step back with intention and learn to see their companies from above the daily grind. Some of this season's guests described the shift as a gradual climb – learning to listen differently, picking up ideas from peers, or letting experiences outside the tire industry reshape how they think. Others talked about moments that forced perspective, like stepping away for school, putting new decision-makers in charge, or creating “stress tests” where the team must run without the owner’s voice for two straight weeks. The results were consistent: teams rise, leaders evolve, and businesses take on a new trajectory. For many, working on the business meant sharpening systems or simply walking into the store with the eyes of a customer. For others, it meant delegation, intentional learning, or acknowledging that leadership requires a different energy than turning wrenches or writing service orders. Taken together, these conversations reveal something bigger than process or policy. They show what greatness looks like in real shops, run by real families, in a real industry – owners who are present, invested and humble enough to grow by working on the business instead of in the business.

When Ed Mitchem joined his father’s business, techs changed tires on the ground with floor jacks. Selling seat covers and curb feelers was part of the daily routine. That was 85 years ago. Today, the Mitchem Tire legacy continues with five thriving locations, a loyal customer base, and a third generation carrying the torch. Ed helped grow the company through decades of change, expanding from a single downtown shop into a regional brand built on smart buying, no-nonsense advertising, and a service-first mentality. After all, his motto: Before you switch ’em, see Mitchem – stuck around for a reason. Ed officially stepped away from the business ten years ago, but his impact still runs deep. Now, his great-nephews Corey and Stevie Kruze are helping to lead the operation, taking lessons learned from the shop floor and applying them in a modern market filled with new challenges. Today, Johnny g talks to Ed, Corey and Stevie about what’s changed and what hasn’t. He also talks about why the business still feels like family, even as the industry gets more crowded.

Kristen and Kent Cristy didn’t plan to take over Reeves Tire in Joplin, MO. But when John Reeves, Kristen’s father and founder of the business, faced a health scare in the late '90s, they stepped in together and never looked back. Kent gave up a future in medicine to help his community stay on the road, learning every inch of the business from the ground up. Kristen brought her sharp attention to detail and managed the office, handling payroll, HR, and everything behind the scenes. In 2000, they officially bought the business. Over the next two decades, they opened two more locations, navigated a devastating fire, and kept the Reeves Tire name strong in Joplin, MO. In today’s episode, Johnny g talks to Kristen and Kent about growing a business as partners in work and life, why they’ve focused more on stability than scale, and what it means to preserve a legacy.

If you’re in the tire industry in Northeast Ohio, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of TJ White or his business, Tire Source. Founded by his father, Tom White, in 1991, Tire Source has become a fixture in Ohio. It has six locations and a reputation built on service, transparency, and local relationships. TJ worked his way up from the service bays, learning every part of the business firsthand. That includes tire installs, sales, and store management. As General Manager, his leadership style reflects that path: practical, people-focused, and built on trust. With a solid, trustworthy legacy in place, TJ pushes things forward with determination. He's working on it through better communication systems, modern training platforms, or a more personalized digital experience for today’s customer. In this episode of Johnny g & Friends, TJ joins Johnny g to talk about leading with humility. They also discuss modernizing a legacy brand and why independent tire dealers still win by putting people first.

Now in his mid-90s, Jack Furrier has navigated more business cycles, met more customer needs, and created more solutions than most entrepreneurs could imagine in a lifetime. He's become a legend in Arizona, with his face practically synonymous with Jack Furrier Tire, but his story doesn’t start with tires. It starts in Parma, Ohio, where a young Jack decided that bagging groceries for $4 a week wasn’t going to cut it. So, he bought balloons wholesale and sold them outside the Cleveland Indians baseball stadium. In 30 minutes, he made more than his grocery paycheck. That moment sparked a lifelong pursuit of independence. Tire Review: www.tirereview.com

Some people take over a family business and stay the course. Brandon Harrell took one and completely redefined it. Brandon’s grandfather Luther founded Harrell’s Tire & Auto 80 years ago. Brandon joined the business in 2005 with big plans. He knew he needed to upend the status quo. In 2021, he bought the business from his father, Charlie. In just four years, he grew it from $4.6 million in revenue to more than $30 million annually. He started with a relentless focus on staffing, service, and operational efficiency to drive the business forward. While many struggle to find workers, Brandon built a waiting list of people wanting to join his team. He borrowed strategies from Chick-fil-A and added AI to streamline recruiting and phone systems for greater efficiency. Brandon joins the Johnny g & Friends podcast to explain how he scaled the business so quickly and intentionally. He shares why he hires from the hospitality industry instead of the tire business and prioritizes service over price. He also explains why treating employees like customers drives long-term success and loyalty from both groups.

Nate Zolman, president of Zolman Tire, is known for hard work, smart decisions, and adaptability. He transformed the company into a regional powerhouse in tires and truck repair. The Origins of Zolman Tire The story of Zolman Tire begins with Bud Zolman. He built the Indiana-based tire shop from scratch with grit. Nate practically grew up in the shop, changing tires and fixing cars. He learned firsthand what running a business takes. When his time came, he didn’t just follow in his father’s footsteps—he forged his own path. Expanding Under Nate’s Leadership Under Nate’s leadership, Zolman Tire has expanded to eight retail locations and four commercial truck centers. He has competed with national chains, online retailers, and industry giants. Instead of backing down, he focused on building a team that treats customers like family. Cultivating Team Culture and Integrity at Zolman Tire Today, Nate joins Johnny G & Friends. He discusses growing Zolman Tire, challenges for independent tire dealers, and staying ahead in the industry. Nate also reflects on pivotal moments that earned him respect, including a memorable standoff that marked his leadership rise.  He also explores how he cultivates a strong team culture and his non-negotiable stance on integrity. This sets the business tone at Zolman Tire.

Bauer Built Tire & Service has been a family name in the tire business since 1944. Sam Bauer founded the company in Durand, Wisconsin. It started as a small operation and grew into a powerhouse with 35 locations across nine states. Today, the rich Bauer Built Tire history shows the company’s dedication to growth, service, and community. Jerry Bauer stepped into leadership at just 24 years old. He guided Bauer Built Tire & Service through its substantial growth. Along the way, he balanced family ownership with smart business strategy. Under Jerry’s leadership, Bauer Built became one of the most respected independent tire dealers in the country. Jerry’s impact doesn’t stop there, though. Today, he mentors the next generation of leaders. Tad and Mandy, his children, are now key leaders in the business. Jerry joins us on Johnny g & Friends. He talks about the lessons he’s learned and shares the challenges of running a family business. He also explains how Bauer Built has stayed strong for 80 years. The story of Bauer Built Tire history highlights resilience, vision, and family values. For more episodes of Johnny g & Friends, presented by Firestone, click here. Tire Review: www.tirereview.com Firestone: www.firestonetire.com

Throughout the year on episodes of Johnny g & Friends, Johnny would ask each guest: How do you work on the business instead of in the business? In this Season 4 wrap-up, find out how each guest answered that. In this episode, hear from this year's guests including Andrew Firestone; Bridgestone Golf CEO Dan Murphy; Bubba, Kim and Pat McMahon of McMahon's Best-One; Sally Thomas, owner of J.P. Thomas & Company; Stacey and Frankie Pugh of Pugh's Tire; John Quirk, executive chairman of VIP Tires & Service; and Tim Tallman, president of Tallman's Tire & Auto.

From humble beginnings changing tires in New York snowstorms outside his single-bay corner gas station to becoming President of Tallman's Tire and Auto Repair, based in Utica, New York, Tim Tallman is cultivating a legacy that beautifully integrates family values with his sharp business acumen. His journey began immediately after high school, fueled by a passion for cars and a keen mechanical aptitude. With his wife’s encouragement and a timely opportunity to buy his first business, Tim unknowingly embarked on a 44-year career in the tire industry that would not only shape his future, but also the landscape of tire and auto services in his community.  Under his leadership, Tallman Tire and Auto has today expanded to six locations, a warehouse and a Quick Lube, and his story proves that with the right mix of passion and perseverance, small beginnings can lead to substantial achievements. Tire Review: www.tirereview.com

John Quirk is a fourth-generation tire dealer with a storied history. His grandfather started in the tire industry opening Quirk Tire in Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1926. Back then, the business grew with the advent of the Interstate Highway System and serviced mainly commercial and off-the-road tires. But as transportation evolved, so did the business. By 1985, John’s father, Edward S. Quirk, retired, and in June of that year, John left the computer sales industry, returned home to Boston from Manhattan and took over the business as President & CEO.  Two weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, Quirk Tire purchased VIP Discount Auto Center and the two firms were merged. John decided to keep the VIP name thanks to its tremendous brand recognition throughout New England, changing the name in 2004 to VIP Parts, Tires & Service, and again in 2012 to VIP Tires & Service when the parts division of VIP was sold to O’Reilly Auto Parts.  Today, VIP Tires & Service operates 70 locations, with 50 of those co-occupied by both VIP Tires & Service and O’Reilly Auto Parts, and on March 1, 2024, VIP opened its first store in Connecticut with the acquisition of Joe’s Tire Shop in Waterbury, CT.  Tire Review: www.tirereview.com

Stacey and Frankie Pugh, president and VP of Pugh’s Tire in Greenville, North Carolina, are the embodiment of what happens when four generations commit to hard work, customer care, community involvement, and adapt to change. Their Grandpa George Pugh founded Pugh's Tire & Service Center in 1945 as a corner gas station known as George Pugh Shell Station, and in 1962 their father Sammy Pugh became the mastermind in expanding the tire and automotive service side of the business. Today, with five retail locations, the third- and fourth generations continue to grow the business the same way the founder did. Pugh’s continues to thrive thanks to leadership and employees fueled by family spirit, a customer-first philosophy, and an unyielding commitment to quality. www.tirereview.com

Sally Thomas is a second-generation tire dealer with ambition, grit, and heart for the tire industry. Her father, Paul, founded the business in 1981 out of the driveway of their family home, and he and his wife, Sandra, soon blossomed the company into a full-blown tire and service location in Asheboro, North Carolina. Sally grew up working in the business but pursued a career in nursing before making her way back. In 2012, Sally, with her business-savvy, and her brother, Bryan, with his tire and service-know how, took over J.P. Thomas & Company, which had grown significantly into a multi-division corporation. They have since added several locations and have more than tripled their revenues over the past decade.  Today, they operate eight retail stores known as Thomas Tire & Automotive, two commercial locations, three wholesale distribution warehouses known as East Coast Tires, a Mighty Auto Parts franchise, and an e-commerce business. They are also distributors for Hunter Engineering, Challenger Lifts, Atlas Copco and CPS Products. 

Community makes McMahon’s Best-One stand out from the competition. The company was founded in 1969 by Pat McMahon, who bought out a local independent tire dealer in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, with the help of Paul Zurcher. Pat built a strong foundation for the business, and today, his son, Bubba, who grew up in the tire industry, now owns it with Randy Geyer, a longtime employee. Bubba’s wife, Kim, is now president of McMahon’s Best-One, and together they are pushing the limits on what it means to be an independent tire dealer. With 13 locations and counting, McMahon has close-knit ties to the communities it serves and is elevating the professionalism in our industry to thrive in the future. 

Tiger Woods, Jason Day and Freddie Couples are just a few of the names linked to the quality and precision behind Bridgestone Golf – but the man behind the scenes who helped create and catapult the Bridgestone Golf brand to PGA grounds is Dan Murphy, the company's current president and CEO. Dan has a long history in the golf business and is a golf fanatic himself. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s when he was recruited to help launch the Bridgestone Golf brand, and he quickly distinguished it for its golf ball fitting capabilities.  Since then, Bridgestone Golf has manufactured golf balls and accessories for everyone from PGA tour pros to weekend warriors teeing up with their buddies. Bridgestone Golf also serves as the premium lifestyle link to the Bridgestone Tire brand. In this episode of Johnny g & Friends, presented by Firestone, Dan and Johnny g discuss:  Jason Day's involvement with Bridgestone Golf's new MindSet golf ball (1:06);Tiger Woods' involvement with Bridgestone Golf's golf ball R&D (3:35);Details on Bridgestone Golf's golf ball testing technology (6:18);How tire development influences tire design and vice versa (8:28);Experimenting to see how golf balls with different dimple patterns fly (11:15);An inside look at how golf balls are made at Bridgestone Golf's factory in Covington, GA (14:47);Dan's vision for Bridgestone Golf in the future (16:49);Rapid fire questions (19:06).