Small Beginnings, Big Success With Nick Fox and Vanessa Larson of Gills Point S Tire & Auto

Gain Traction

Nick Fox is the Regional Manager of Gills Point S Tire & Auto, holding the role for over nine years. His dedication to continuous improvement, coupled with a strong work ethic and self-motivation, sets him apart. Nick's profound product knowledge and customer-centric approach foster unparalleled loyalty and satisfaction, reflecting his commitment to delivering exceptional experiences.

Vanessa Larson is the Marketing Manager of Gills Point S Tire & Auto. She has been with the company since 2020, initially starting as an office manager and bookkeeper before being promoted in 2022. Vanessa previously worked as a project manager with Iron Forge.

In this episode…

The tire and auto repair industry is full of inspiring stories and innovative ideas. But how can shop owners build thriving businesses while staying connected to their local communities?

According to Nick Fox and Vanessa Larson of Gills Point S Tire & Auto, the ideal business strategy involves thinking outside the box and creating unique marketing campaigns that bring people together. Their annual soapbox derby in Helena, Montana is a prime example — it started as Nick's idea to do something different, but Vanessa's implementation skills turned it into a massive community event. With live music, food trucks, and creative car designs, the derby engages customers, attracts sponsors, and showcases the personalities behind their shops. It's this kind of authentic community involvement that helps Point S stand out and attract top talent who want to be part of something fun and impactful.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Nick and Vanessa to chat about their innovative soapbox derby event. They also discuss the recent merger between their company and Gills, finding an "implementer" to turn ideas into reality, and discuss key principles like focusing on your strengths.

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

• [5:23] The advantages of building a family business and growing through strategic acquisitions and mergers
• [9:12] How creative marketing campaigns can generate buzz and stand out from the competition
• [15:08] Merging with larger organizations to expand reach while maintaining a distinct identity
• [20:01] Seeking leadership roles to learn from mentors and guide new market growth
• [23:15] Chasing small, daily improvements to achieve long-term growth
• [26:03] The importance of maximizing strengths rather than worrying about weaknesses
• [28:10] Building a strong company culture by encouraging open communication, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Nick Fox on LinkedIn
• Vanessa Larson on LinkedIn
• Gills Point S Tire & Auto
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

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 [e-mail] to learn more.