Successful dealers can’t go it alone. (Or if you do, and you’re still successful to some degree, you’re making it much harder on yourself.)
Whether this means you have the backing and support of a national flag or a district manager you look up to; a group of other area distributors you work with and bounce ideas off of; or a spouse that dedicates his or her time to ensuring your success, you have other people involved with the business.
This month’s cover story subject Nathen Arnold, has taken a relatively new approach. While remaining an independent dealer, he utilizes his resources with his warehouse distributor’s network and the GearWrench Street Team to bring new products and a fresh approach to his business.
If that weren’t enough, he’s paving the way for other dealers: during a casual conversation at a trade show in 2013, Arnold talked with GearWrench representatives about the possibility of a new kind of distributor program. As he mulled over the idea of starting a new venture, he took stock in the fact that he could create his own strategy for success, and forge a path for other distributors that join the GearWrench Street Team.
With the help of a warehouse distributor, the GearWrench Street Team has provided Arnold discounts on product based on how much he sells, exclusive tool introductions and the support of an additional person to join his route from time to time to promote product knowledge and giveaways via the Street Team van. “I think this is really going to be the wave of the future,” says Arnold, of the program.
In return, Arnold has completely embraced the brand. “When I got picked as a GearWrench Street Team dealer I thought, ‘How can I get the brand out there?’” says Arnold.
“When you’re the first guy to go, you have to just do it. You have to get GearWrench off the ground. You have to recruit,” says Arnold. “That’s what makes it a fun thing. I try to do that.”
To read more about Arnold’s success, check out his April 2016 cover story feature.
