The good, bad and ugly

Shawn attributes part of his success to former competitors.

"There's nothing better for a good tool guy than a bad tool guy. A tool guy who mistreats his customers will make them angry, and they all talk to each other about him.

"Somebody will say 'I've got this other guy that I really like, so you should call him.' That's what I learned when I went independent after driving for a flag. It's not the brands that I carry, it's the person who walks into that shop. If you take care of the guys, they'll come back to you every time. The goal is to be the first call."

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