In this episode, Josh Parnell is with Brian Moak, 2025 Ratchet+Wrench All-Star/Owner of the Year and Executive VP of the Heart Division at Telly Tire, about building high-performing automotive businesses through strong leadership, systems, and a people-first culture. Brian shares how he nearly bankrupted his family business after buying it at 27, then transformed it by focusing on data, operational systems, and solving root problems instead of symptoms. The conversation explores leadership principles, acquisitions, employee retention, and creating a culture where people and performance thrive together. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Every Minute Matters
00:29 Podcast Introduction
01:02 Meet Brian Moak
02:36 Sponsor Break
04:08 The Heart Division
06:27 Brian's Story 08:39
Leading with Heart 12:27
Lessons from Turning the Business Around
18:14 Why Capacity Is a Mindset
24:12 The Acquisition Decision
26:53 A Three-Hour Turning Point
27:31 Building a People-First Culture
28:21 Life After the Acquisition
31:14 How to Connect with Brian
32:31 Leadership Helps People Win
33:12 Building Long-Term Employee Loyalty
36:15 Developing Homegrown Talent
39:02 "Keep the Problem the Problem"
44:27 Creating Team Ownership
47:29 Final Thoughts and Closing