Steering the Wheels of Change With Chris Barry of Independent Tire Dealer Group

Chris Barry is Vice President of Sales at Independent Tire Dealer Group. Since 1998, Chris has significantly contributed to the company's growth. He started his career selling incense door-to-door and later managed an athletic shop frequented by celebrities in Southern California. Chris transitioned into the tire industry with AKH Discount Tires, gaining comprehensive knowledge. At ITDG, he’s played a pivotal role in expanding the group from regional to nationwide, overseeing the introduction of new programs and partnerships. Chris' deep commitment to customer relationships is evident as he continues to drive sales and promote dealer success.

In this episode…

The automotive industry is constantly evolving, with new challenges and opportunities emerging for independent tire dealers. How can these dealers stay competitive and profitable in today's market?

According to Chris Barry of Independent Tire Dealer Group, joining a buying group can provide significant advantages. By pooling resources and purchasing power, independent dealers can access container-level pricing, exclusive manufacturer programs, and increased profit margins. Chris emphasizes the importance of market protection, collaborative relationships among members, and the "band of brothers and sisters" mentality that fosters a family-like atmosphere within the group.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Chris to discuss his career journey, the growth of Independent Tire Dealer Group, and the benefits of membership. They explore ITDG's expansion plans, the importance of personal relationships in business, and Chris' approach to customer service.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [01:20] How Chris Barry got started in sales by selling incense in his neighborhood
• [03:35] Chris discusses his unique experiences, including his first job parking cars for celebrities
• [04:46] How Chris transitioned from retail management to the tire industry
• [09:57] Independent Tire Dealer Group’s beginnings and growth from $16 million to hundreds of millions
• [11:11] The regional opportunities and market protection ITDG provides its members
• [13:13] Why the strength of ITDG lies in the collaborative power of its members
• [17:44] Chris outlines the one-, three-, and five-year outlooks for ITDG's expansion
• [19:36] How ITDG focuses on member education to maximize their success
• [22:52] Chris shares a surprising personal connection to Wayne Gretzky and the NHL

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Chris Barry on LinkedIn
• Independent Tire Dealer Group 
• Darren McLea on LinkedIn 
• Logan Wilks on LinkedIn
• Mike Burns on LinkedIn
• Jason Rook on LinkedIn
• Hercules Tires
• Wayne Gretzky
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments:

•  "When you’re out there selling hoops and meeting people, just kill them with kindness."
• "Treat people the way that you expect to be treated."
• "My father owned an incense company, and we didn't have a lot of money — he’d give me packs of incense and say, ‘Go sell these if you want money for baseball cards.’"
• "We knew it was Thursday nights, and me and the guys would always bring a football, playing catch, and Jim Plunkett would tell us to run routes."
• "If you work together, you accomplish a lot."

Action Steps:

1. Embrace the “kill them with kindness” approach: Emphasizing positivity and kindness in interactions can lead to better relationships and unexpected opportunities.
2. Collaborate and share resources: Leveraging collective resources enables smaller businesses to compete more effectively via cost-saving and value creation.
3. Prioritize market protection for stability: Implementing a strategy that respects territorial boundaries establishes a fair and predictable competition field.
4. Develop versatility and deeper industry knowledge: Expanding one’s understanding of products and services enhances the ability to serve diverse customer needs effectively.
5. Cultivate a family-oriented culture in business: Building a business environment that values camaraderie and mutual support leads to a more engaged and committed team.

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. 

At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. 

By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.

We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.