Jake Hershberger
CEO | Joe’s Tire | Age: 35
What was your first job in the industry?
Tire tech.
What attracted you to the industry?
My family wanted to start a business that is in the auto industry and essential. We picked the tire and wheel industry since we will be able to meet a lot of people and help keep the community safe.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
The biggest challenge has also been the biggest blessing and that is working with family. I have had the opportunity to buy the business from my father and that has been challenging.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
My father has had the most influence on me in this industry however Andy Mast taught me the industry since I worked for him for a few years before working for my father. Many other people have impacted me and how I do business. To name few: Joshua Baughman, Jason Andy and Tom Auber.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
Being able to lead our team of wonderful people and purchase the business from my father.
Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your work day?
As CEO/majority owner of Joe’s Tire and a few other ventures, I spend my day focusing mostly on operations and finances. I work with the store managers, accounting and marketing teams. I put in a fair amount of screen time and the rest of my day is meeting with vendors, manufacturers, financial institutions and teams from each of our five locations.
What’s one thing you wish someone would have told you before you took your current job?
I wish that I would have read The One Minute Manager book by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. Clearer expectations for your team and goals/tasks do not exist until you have a due date and time set. These are simple concepts yet they are often overlooked by so many managers.
Tell us about your family.
I grew up in a large family with 11 siblings. Family is the reason I love my work here at Joe’s Tire., My amazing wife, Lisa and I have five fantastic kids. The highlight of each day is spending time with them. My wife is the family hero taking care of our oldest son who has special needs while homeschooling our other children.
What did you learn about yourself in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic?
COVID-19 really emphasized how much I need to rely on the team to keep things running smoothly.
Name a talent you wish you had.
Public speaking is one thing that doesn’t come naturally for me so like most things it is something that takes practice.
How do you recover from a bad or stressful day?
Nothing beats spending time with kids after a stressful day or sitting on the patio with a good group of men with Bibles open sipping whiskey.
What’s the best book you’ve read lately?
Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham Jr. was my most recent read which I highly recommend.
What’s your favorite, can’t-miss podcast?
There are a few different ones on biblical theology like a new one put out by the Master’s Seminary entitled “The Macarthur Center Podcast.”
If you won an Olympic gold medal, how would you have earned it? (You can make up a sport.)
Oh, my gold would be in Microsoft Excel for sure!
What’s the biggest issue facing the industry today?
Navigating industry changes, like what car tires will look like by 2040. Supply shortages, product shortages are also big issues.
What advice would you give to tire dealers who are desperate to find good employees?
Team culture had the biggest impact on our team. Give people a reason to want to work for you and more than just money. They are spending a good portion of their week with you and you want them to be proud of that commitment.
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
Would love to move into business consultant work.
