"Work More ON Your Business Than IN It" | 2nd Generation Car Dealer on Building 2 Thriving Locations

Chip Davis's dad started selling cars in Greenville, North Carolina in 1986. He grew up washing cars, sweeping the lot, and picking up cigarette butts. Now he runs two dealerships with over 100 employees and is navigating one of the fastest changing eras in automotive retail. This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Chip to talk about what it's really like to run a multi-generational car dealership in an industry where AI, online pricing, and home deliveries are rewriting the playbook. Chip shares the story of working every department from service to parts before taking over, opening a second location in Washington, North Carolina when the manufacturer called and said they'd give it to someone else if he didn't take it, and why 70% of deals are already done before the customer walks through the door. During the conversation, Chip walks through why negotiation now happens on trade-in value instead of sticker price of new cars, how aggressive online pricing has completely changed margins and forced dealerships to focus on volume, and why service and parts are where dealers actually make money. He also gets real about the stigma around car salesmen, why he'd rather promote from within than hire from outside, and what keeps him up at night when sales are down and morale needs to stay up. This episode is an honest look at legacy business, second-generation leadership, and what it takes to adapt when the entire customer experience is shifting online but people still want to talk to a real person at the end of the deal. Connect with East Carolina Auto and Chip: Visit ECauto.com or WashingtonCDJR.com to learn more about their dealerships in Greenville and Washington, North Carolina About the Host: Taylor Walden is the founder of Radiate Prints and a serial entrepreneur who started her first business in her dorm room at East Carolina University. American Business Story highlights the stories of business leaders and entrepreneurs. More American Business Story: Thank you for your continued support of the American Business Story with Taylor Walden Podcast! Know someone who should be a guest? Nominate them! Head to the Radiate Prints website (https://radiateprints.com/radiateprin...) and fill out our nomination form under the "Podcast" tab. You can find more episodes of the American Business Story with Taylor Walden Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-9..., Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..., and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays! Connect with Radiate Prints: We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help. @radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn Website: https://radiateprints.com Instagram:   / radiateprints   TikTok:   / radiateprints