After finishing college in the spring of 1981, I joined the family car business in my hometown and have had one job my whole adult life…running a Chevrolet dealership. I just completed 41 year and am less than a year from the traditional retirement age. I am looking to cut back a little and find a new passion in retirement.
I married a wonderful woman, Kate, in 1988 and we have 3 boys and now 4 grandchildren.
Q: Where were you born, where were you raised, and where do you currently live (City, State/Province, Country)?
As I am the oldest of four siblings, I was born 9 months after my parents wedding. At that time, He was working in the agriculture industry in Nebraska and Iowa before ending up near his hometown after purchasing a Chevy dealership.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song or movie and why does it resonate with you?
Song quote from the band Go Fish and the song is "It's About the Cross". This line in the song makes me emotional…"It's about God's love ailed to a tree, It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me." It so clearly crystalizes the sacrifice Jesus made when He died for me.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
I had no plans to continue the family business as a career, but in 1981 the economy was bad and my family was looking for help. Being the eldest and having gotten through college with almost no loans, I felt I owed it to my family to say yes. Although it's not the career chose or even excelled at, I don't regret it at all. God opened many doors for me over these years.
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I like working "in" the business versus working "on" the business. That is why I was not as successful as most auto dealers. My youngest brother has the proper skills for working "on" the business so he is running my company now. I am able to do the things I am best at knowing the business is properly led.
Q: What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
If your desire is to be an entrepreneur, get a coach or mentor early in life. Something I still haven't done…but will.
Q: What is one of your favorite places to be or travel to?
Anywhere with my wife.
Q: If you could choose anyone (past or present, fictional or real) with whom to have lunch, who would it be and why?
No one person….there are many in real life.
Q: Who inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
Jesus
Q: How did you first discover “The Go-Giver”?
I met Bob at an automotive conference he was invited to in Charlotte in 2013 or 2014.
Q: Who would you like to see featured on The Faces Of The Go-Giver Community and why?
Anna Kantzavelos…she is the epitome of a "Go-Giver" and she has a story to share that backs it up.
Q: Finally, how can we know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection or prospective customer/client for you?
My business is hyper-local, so unless you know someone close to where I live or if I happen to have a vehicle so unique that your friend would be interested, no one in our group could be a referral source for me.
Please include your website link if you have one!
https://www.hawkinsbestprice.com
