Truman Geary
Outside sales representative | Best One Tire & Service | Age: 30
What was your first job in the industry?
Service technician.
What attracted you to the industry?
I was introduced to the tire industry by Bob Youell, former owner of Best One Giant Tire in Jeffersonville, Ind. Bob was looking for a young person to bring on the team for a future sales position. I was put into the service department for my first six months to learn the ins and outs of the shop. Since moving into sales, I have been able to translate that service knowledge into customer service to answer questions and help find solutions to customers’ needs.
What’s the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
The pandemic has changed the way we have to look at supply and think quickly on our feet to take care of customers' needs when certain product lines are not available. The bright side is that some customers who were close minded about using other product lines and retreads now have seen the benefits of using retreads in their fleet.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
Bob Youell, he taught me the core values of what is to be part of the Best-One Family. To live with integrity, character and passion, possess a servant's attitude, commit to the pursuit of perfection, accept the urgency of accountability and the necessity of change.
What’s your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
Coming into sales I was uncertain what the outcome would be as I took on this new career path. Shortly after going into sales my wife found out we were expecting our first born child. That sparked a fire in me that I still carry on to this day. After five years in sales I have been able to acquire new business and bring my sales figures to being one of the consistent top three sales people at Best One Kentuckiana. Even with the problems with the supply chain and product availability, being able to increase my sales and profits every month since the beginning of 2020 is one the things I’m most proud of.
Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your work day?
My current primary role in the tire industry is commercial tire sales. The majority of my work day is spent in front of the customer at their facility -- whether that be spending time in their office or out on their lot doing fleet inspections checking tread depths and air pressures.
What’s one thing you wish someone would have told you before you took your current job?
The tire industry is not for the faint of heart. Don’t let yesterday’s obstacles get in the way of today's goal, every day will bring its own challenges, but it's how you navigate through them that will determine the outcome.
Tell us about your family.
My wife (Erin) and I have two beautiful little girls, Elsie, 4, and Emmy, 1. We enjoy spending time outdoors with each other, camping, hiking, cycling and any adventure thrown our way.
How do you recover from a bad or stressful day?
Exercise has always been an outlet for to let go of my stress, I find that going for a run or a bike ride is the easiest way for me to decompress.
Name one thing you wish the average American better understood about the tire industry.
The importance of the tire industry! Without tires on the ground how else would your products and goods make it to your local supermarket?
If you could have lunch with a celebrity, who would it be, and why?
Dave Chappelle would be someone that I would enjoy asking a few questions about life and his experiences. His joke writing and thought process is very intriguing to me and it would be fun to pick his brain on certain topics.
Name a talent you wish you had.
I wish that I had the rhythm and focus to learn how to play an instrument like the guitar.
What’s the biggest issue facing the industry today?
The constant rise of material costs to produce and manufacture tires.
Tell us your biggest pet peeve.
When I see someone sitting in the front passenger seat putting their bare feet on the dashboard of their car.
What’s the best book you’ve read lately?
“Make Your Bed,” by William H. McRaven.
If a tire dealer asked you for advice to find good employees, what would you suggest?
Look for the people who are currently working in other industries similar to yours. What is it that brings them to their industry and how can you mirror that into your dealership to attract the right candidates?
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
I would expect that in 20 years’ time I will still be doing the things that bring me the most joy in life. Spending time with my family, enjoying life in the great outdoors and providing quality service to my customers.
