John Grieshop
Owner | John’s Tire Service LLC | Age: 39
What was your first job in the industry?
Tire tech.
What attracted you to the industry?
My passion for automobiles.
What’s the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
The store I started my career with closing and making the decision to start my own business.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
Paul Zurcher and his ability to continue to grow and understand the necessity for change.
What’s your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
Starting my own business and growing from a one-person operation to a nine-person team.
Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your work day?
I own and manage John’s Tire Service. My work day can vary greatly depending on the day and time of year. Some days I spend in the office helping customers however I can. Other days I am working with our distributors and manufacturer representatives to ensure we have the tires and other products on hand and available for our customers. I also still run a service truck from time to time, so in planting and harvest season it’s not uncommon for me to spend days repairing and installing agriculture equipment tires.
What’s one thing you wish someone would have told you before you took your current job?
That it’s ok to say no. When I started the business I wanted to get every job that came through the door, even if it was work I usually wouldn’t do, or if I had to throw in some extras which essentially made those jobs not profitable.
Tell us about your family.
I have a great wife Erica, two children Joey and Lola. Erica is the foundation of our family. She is dedicated to our home and family which is one of the biggest reasons I was able to dedicate the time to get our business up and running. Lola is very active in sports she plays travel softball, volleyball, basketball and has been involved in cheer/dance for 10 years. Joey graduated in 2020 and recently moved back to Ohio.
How do you recover from a bad or stressful day?
I enjoy the outdoors. Usually after a bad day I try to either go spend some time in the woods or out riding my motorcycle with my wife.
Name one thing you wish the average American better understood about the tire industry.
How tread design, speed and load index requirements vary by application. Just because it’s the same size does not mean it is designed for the same job
If you could have lunch with a celebrity, who would it be, and why?
Brad Paisley. I have always been a fan of his music and he seems to be a very down to earth person.
Name a talent you wish you had.
Carpentry, I try but it’s just not a skill I have been blessed with.
What’s the biggest issue facing the industry today?
Product availability and continued price increases.
Tell us your biggest pet peeve.
When a customer tries to negotiate the price down after being given a quote and the work is completed.
If a tire dealer asked you for advice to find good employees, what would you suggest?
Be patient. Sometimes feeling rushed into a decision because you are shorthanded can cause you to hire the wrong candidate.
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
I expect to still be in the tire business.
