A common character trait among successful mobile tool distributors is the ability to establish and cultivate working relationships with anyone and everyone, from their most trusted customers to shop owners and technicians they just met.
For Crete, Neb.-based Mac Tools distributor Dave Musil, developing professional connections extends beyond promising prospects and those technicians and shop owners who regularly buy his tools. That’s because Musil is working to educate and mentor students planning to get into a career in automotive repair.
“It takes a lot of effort, and there is a lot of work that goes into it, but where you see the payoff is in the future,” says Musil, who has been in the tool business for 15 years and serves customers in and around Lincoln, Neb. “Right now, it’s all about them.”
Several years back, Musil discovered a fellow distributor was working with students at Southeast Community College in Milford, Neb. Immediately intrigued by the idea of working with young people, Musil hoped such an opportunity would present itself to him in the future.
“I just thought, ‘How much more fun could it be to work with young men and young ladies coming in and share some of my passion with them?’” says Musil, who eventually began mentoring students at Southeast Community College about 13 years ago.
Today, Musil services the school on a weekly basis and puts on the school’s tool show, which features products from all of the major brands. His efforts afford the youngsters at Southeast Community College, and a sister school in Lincoln, Neb., to learn about the tools and equipment they will work with once they commence with their careers. In addition, Musil’s work provides the students with a valuable understanding of what it is like to regularly associate with mobile tool dealers.
“Of course, when they end up on your route, you walk in and you already know them,” he says. “It’s a head start for them.”
Some of the young people Musil works with are trying to find their path and are working to develop long-term career goals, while others seemed poised for great success once they venture out into the professional world.
“And it’s enjoyable to see what some of them end up doing in the future,” he adds.
According to the long-time distributor, however, his time spent working with young people benefits him in many ways as well.
“I enjoy working with everyone,” says Musil. “I find the young people very enjoyable to work with. It’s neat, in a sense, to kind of be their mentor. They look up to me. They want to know the truth.”
But the significance of his work with repair trade students really struck a chord with Musil recently when he discovered a customer’s twin boys attend Southeast Community College.
“It is so cool,” he says. “He got to see my son grow up on the route. Now I have both of his boys.”
