Jeremy Burt
Operations & Marketing Manager | Burt Brothers Tire and Service | Age: 35
What was your first job in the industry?
Tire tech changing tires after school.
What attracted you to the industry?
It’s a family business that was I was raised in and it lives in my blood.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career?
The biggest issue I have faced in the industry is technology is behind the times compared to other industries. Our technology is complex and slow moving. I am fast paced and encourage change that can make us better.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
My dad Wendel, who started Burt Brothers Tire and Service with his brother Ron.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
I would say our new website and the ability to sell tires online. It has made our showroom in every person’s pocket with their smart phone or the personal computing device at their home on their terms.
Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your work day?
I currently work out of our corporate office and warehouse. I spend most of the day overseeing the warehouse operation, buying tires and working directly with manufacturers. I also do the marketing and advertising for all Burt Brothers locations.
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
Being a partner in Burt Brothers corporation with my brothers. Being part of the executive management working on ways to be more profitable and expand our footprint to service great customers.
What’s the biggest issue facing the industry today?
There are two things. The first is technology at the point of sale. Let’s face it we are not handing transactions on tablets yet and the online tire store is our first impression nowadays. Secondly, tire prices are becoming a commodity. Online consumers are just choosing a low price and don't know what they are getting or what they are losing, and its cutting margins for brick and mortar stores. Our service and that of many other dealers is worth extra money, but how do you portray that to a price point customer that has never done business with you before?
What’s the one thing you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
Go try something else before you jump with both feet in!
What class(es) do you wish you had paid more attention to in high school?
History! In college it would be Microsoft Excel.
What’s the worst cliché or generalization made about your generation?
That we are the same. I don't want to be held down to everyone’s viewpoint.
Tell us about your family.
My wife is Emily. My son Jaxon is 11; daughter Alexis is 7; and son Bodey is 5. All three are so different.
What’s your favorite weekend activity?
Snowmobiling in the winter and golfing in the summer.
What keeps you up at night?
A lot, but if I had to pin point it to one it would be staying on the cutting edge and wanting to be the best personally and professionally.
How do you encourage others to enter the industry?
There is tons of room for growth and the only thing in this industry stopping you from moving up is you.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
A good donut.
Name a talent you wish you had.
Public speaking.
What’s your favorite food?
Sushi.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Steve Jobs.
What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Going to the family cabin any time of year.
If we took your cell phone away and said it would cost you $1,000 to get it back, how long would you survive until you paid the ransom?
12 hours.
Other than your cell phone, what’s a tool you must have to get through a work day?
My computer.
