Today we’d like to introduce you to Lance Ashby.
Hi Lance, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started in the automotive industry in 1987 at a small tire and auto repair facility in St. Anthony, ID. I had the plan to continue my college education and work in this industry until I finished a degree. I also joined the Idaho Army National Guard, to help offset college expenses. At the time I hired on to work in the shop, they affiliated with the Les Schwab Tire Company. After a year, I took a transfer to one of the Idaho Falls, ID. locations.
While employed there, the store manager and assistant manager showed me the “Les Schwab Program”. I liked what I saw and immersed myself in learning how to work on cars, sell products, and assist the management in day-to-day store operations. After my 6 years of duty with the Army National Guard was up, I accepted an assistant manager position in Marysville, WA. In Marysville is where I really learned how to operate a business. Our store manager had area responsibilities that required me to act as if I was the manager and make most day-to-day decisions with the other assistant manager.
In 2003, I was promoted to manager in a brand new store in West Valley City, UT. This was a great growing experience for me because the success or failure of this business was on my shoulders. After 3 years, my family and I decided it was time to go another direction, so after 18 years with Les Schwab Tire Centers, I left the industry and went to work at a power sports dealership. For 14 years, I managed the Sales Department and help co-manage the whole dealership. This also helped to develop my business skills.
After 14 years and my son Ethan, returning from a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we knew we wanted to be in business together. Ethan has an extreme passion for business and cars. He started working on cars with his Grandpa Lords when he was probably about 3 years old! HE has always displayed an entrepreneurial spirit and desire to own businesses. He and I, with great persuasion, convinced our wives that this was the direction for our family to go.
On Dec 10th, 2019, after a couple of years of searching, we purchased Spanish Fork Automotive, as the owner wanted to semi-retire and go another business direction. With the outbreak of COVID-19 early in 2020, we had many challenges to overcome. It has not been easy, but anything that is worth doing never is! I am fortunate to be able to work daily with my son Ethan. I see tons of promise in his future. He has a couple of other businesses that keep him busy, but I appreciate his hustle and can-do attitude in all situations.
We pride ourselves on giving the best customer experience in the auto repair/tire service in the Spanish Fork area. We hope that the community will support us and come in and see the honest, straightforward services we provide at a reasonable rate.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As stated earlier, Covid-19 hit 2 months after we purchased our shop. Although we were considered an “essential business”. most consumers were stuck working at home and not utilizing their automobiles! This created a situation that we had to think on our feet to be able to continue to operate.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We pride ourselves on being a full-service auto facility, providing services from simple oil changes, tire service, clear up to replacing motors and transmissions.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Great customer service is the most important quality any service-related business can offer. Anyone can sell a product, how you are serviced and treated when you return is the key to success!
Contact Info:
- Email: spanishfork@pointstire.com
- Website: www.pointstire.com/spanishfork
- Instagram: @sfpoint.s
- Facebook: Point S Tire Spanish Fork
