Natalie Griffin
President | Best-One Tire of Crossville Inc. | Age:33
What was your first job in the industry?
Office manager at Best-One Tire of Crossville.
What attracted you to the industry?
Born and raised in the industry, but what really took hold was the ability to help people. I also wanted to change the face and the stigma surrounding the business.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career?
Being a young woman.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
My Dad, Nick Proffitt, and the Zurcher family.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
Taking a struggling store in a small town and totally transform it.
How do you spend your work day?
Currently I am the managing partner of Best-One Tire & Auto Care of Crossville. I try to spend my days close to the front counter, and not far from the shop. I like to be as hands on during the day while keeping up with all of my administration and management duties.
What keeps you up at night?
Replaying my day and interactions or planning the upcoming day.
Early bird or night owl?
EARLY BIRD
Messy or neat freak?
A perfect mix of both, but mostly neat.
Growing up, what was your dream job?
Growing up, I always wanted to be a country music singer.
Tell us about your family.
My family is AMAZING. I’m married to my husband Bobby, who I am also lucky enough to work with every day. We have three wild and wonderful little boys Tucker, 11, Taylor, 8, and Tripp, 3. We also have our golden doodle Camber that joins Bobby and me at work every day.
Describe your first car and what you loved most about it.
My first car was a 2000 Chevy s10 2 door blazer, it was the coolest car. I loved the fact my father and I customized it together, but my favorite thing about it had to be the incredible sound system.
What advice would you give your high school self?
Always be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody. Just be yourself. Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, quirky, and magical person you are. If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal. Collect moments, not things. Time and memories are precious.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Eric Steward. Most people won’t know who he is, but he’s one of the most influential people in my life. Eric passed away July 2, 2018, after a 10-month battle with cancer at only 39. Eric passed in our home with us by his side. Eric and I have a child together and were previously married. He was always my best friend and my first phone call no matter the situation. Eric battled many rare medical issues and beat every single statistic his entire life. He never let his sickness define him or hold him back. He wanted to inspire someone with his story; I never told him that he inspired me and defines the way I live my life. I have so many things I never said and so many questions I never asked about how he wants me to raise our son. I want to always live with the passion that Eric did every day.
Best way to spend a Saturday night:
Before children it would certainly be out on the town, but since children it’s home for sure.
What song do you crank up loud and always sing along to?
Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp.
What habit do you wish you could break?
Overthinking.
What’s your secret superpower?
Creavity, I feel like I have a special gift to see situations in new and inventive ways.
What game show would you most likely win?
Child Support on ABC
If we gave you $1,000 and one hour, how would you spend the money?
I’ve always wanted to go to the grocery store and pay for someone’s grocery bill so I would go pay for groceries until the money is gone.
How should the tire industry attract and retain more young talent?
I think we have to adapt on several levels. We have to adapt to the generation we’re seeking to recruit in every aspect of recruitment.
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
In 20 years, I hope to be training my boys to take over as the third generation of our business.
What’s the biggest issue facing the tire industry?
In my opinion ,one of the biggest issues facing our industry is recruiting and retaining young talent.
If you could spend a day supporting a charity, what would you do?
I enjoy helping with charity auctions, it’s the months of prepping and gathering auction items and then seeing it all come together in the end.
If you could start a new career tomorrow, what would it be?
If I could start a new career tomorrow, I’d begin to the very same one, knowing now what I didn’t know 13 years ago.
