Uncle Frank sez: “You can’t lead others unless you have followed.”

Uncle Frank is always quick to point out that no member of the Boy Scouts has ever started out as an Eagle Scout and no member of the United States Military has ever started out as a general. They have to work their way up through the ranks and into those positions of leadership. They have to earn those titles through dedication and hard work.

They can only accomplish those positions once they have perfected the skill, endurance and perseverance it takes to follow. They have to spend time in the trenches – training, learning and perfecting multiple tasks before they can reach that rightful role of leadership.

There is a right of passage they must conquer for that caliber of leadership. They must serve their time in the vineyard. They must follow and become good followers in order to become great leaders.

Patton, McArthur and Schwartzkoff sure did. Then there were great men like Audie Murphy who were great followers who led so well that they earned the highest decorations attainable though they were not the highest-ranking leaders in their field.

We are all the same no matter what profession we are in – we have to follow first before we can lead. Shadowing someone else who has been in the business or being mentored by an expert in the field is highly recommended in any occupation.

Just as we have to crawl before we can walk and walk before we can run, we must also learn before we can teach and follow before we can lead.

Being a follower means learning, being trained and drawing knowledge from someone else and their experience. Why would any person turn down good advice based on prior experience? No smart person would. By following, you learn the ropes and see the possible pitfalls and can learn to dodge them instead of plummet into them.

There are many land mines in the business field, so it is best to follow someone who knows where they are. Then when it’s your turn to cross the field by yourself you’ll know where each land mine is buried and you can avoid them. It will save your life.

Be patient in learning to follow and you will be great in learning to lead. We have to do one before we can do the other. Follow the leader, and then you can lead the followers.

About The Author, Tracy E. Myers: The original Frank Myers Store was started more than 83 years ago by Frank Myers, the Great-Grandfather of the current owner Tracy Myers and the Grandfather of the previous owner, Franklin Myers. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. Tracy was one of the first 100 Certified Master Dealers in the Nation, a NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was the youngest recipient ever to be honored with the highest available distinction in the used car industry…the National Quality Dealer award. Frank Myers Auto Maxx was recently recognized as the #1 Small Buisness in NC by Business Leader Magazine, one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailers in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 10 Internet Auto Retailers in the Nation & one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal. Tracy is also the Co-Creator of the “Everybody Rides” program and author of the best selling book “Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer”, available at Amazon.com and better bookstores. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business “By the Book”. The dealership specializes in helping people find, qualify for and own the vehicle of their dreams with little or no money down…even with less than perfect credit. For more information on Frank Myers Auto Maxx, please visit their website at: http://www.frankmyersauto.com/

NC Business of the Year Award Recognizes Frank Myers Auto

The owner of Frank Myers Auto in North Carolina, has been nominated for the annual Business North Carolina magazine Small Business of the Year award. Frank Myers Auto Maxx was nominated for the contribution they make to North Carolina's economy.

Myers summarized the experience after hearing about his nomination. "This is unbelieveable! What a year it is turning out to be. In February, I was recognized as one of the top 50 entrepreneurs in North Carolina by Business Leader Media and now I found out about this. I am honored to be one of the nominees and I feel like I’m on top of the world. The nomination was one more validation that what my dad always said was right…surround yourself with good people and they’ll push you to the top. I am fortunate to have the best team in United States, if not the world. They continuously make me look more talented than I am (laugh).”

Now in its 15th year, the Small Business of the Year award is recognized as the most prestigious business award in the state. All winners are invited to the awards ceremony which will be held in December. Last year's gala was sponsored by BB&T and held at the Broyhill Inn and Appalachian Conference Center in Boone, N.C.

ABOUT TRACY MYERS, OWNER OF FRANK MYERS AUTO MAXX - The original Frank Myers Store was started more than 83 years ago by Frank Myers, the Great-Grandfather of the current owner Tracy Myers and the Grandfather of the previous owner, Franklin Myers. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. Tracy was one of the first 100 Certified Master Dealers in the Nation, a NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was the youngest recipient ever to be honored with the highest available distinction in the used car industry...the National Quality Dealer award. Frank Myers Auto Maxx was recently recognized as one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailers in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 10 Internet Auto Retailers in the Nation & one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal. Tracy is also the Co-Creator of the world famous "Everybody Rides" program and author of the best selling book "Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer", available at Amazon.com and better bookstores. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business "By the Book". The dealership specializes in helping people find, qualify for and own the vehicle of their dreams with little or no money down...even with less than perfect credit. http://www.frankmyersauto.com

Triad Business Leader Profile on Frank Myers Auto Maxx - April of 2010

- The following profile will appear in the April 2010 Edition of Triad Business Leader Magazine. We hope you enjoy it and would appreciate your feedback.

Running a car dealership is a difficult task, especially nowadays that consumers have become more particular with regards to their wants and needs. The economy has changed as well, only making it more of a challenge for automobile salespersons to find clients. Nevertheless, there are a number of businesses who seem have already mastered the tricks of the trade, and through the acquisition of these strategies, are withstanding the test of time—given the state of the economy and numerous different challenges that come up.

Tracy Myers is the current owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx, a successful car dealership that has been servicing its clients for numerous decades. The story of the first Frank Myers shop started 82 years ago, when it was founded by Tracy’s great grandfather, Frank. The shop’s automotive wholesale division was established later on in 1988, and two short years later, the retail division was set up. “Frank Myers Auto Maxx specializes in helping individuals and families find, qualify for and own the vehicles of their dreams with little or no money, and even with less than perfect credit,” Tracy claims.

Unlike most car dealerships who have failed to deliver, thus resulting to a bad reputation amongst its clientele, Frank Myers Auto Maxx ensures its customers personal and high quality service. According to Tracy, other car dealerships focus too much on offering tangible products. As an automotive transportation and financing expert, Tracy has had his fair share of unpleasant encounters with car dealership customers. However, one important thing he learned is that the customers are usually infuriated with the whole car shopping experience, rather than the dealership itself. “The customers are simply taking it out on us. The key is to let them vent and then prove to them that we're not like all the other dealerships,” Tracy shares. He quotes and agrees with Uncle Frank when he said that “the proof is in the pudding”.

Thus, what Tracy did, and is still doing nowadays is provide their customers that little something that sets Frank Myers Auto Maxx apart from other dealerships—an excellent car shopping experience. Customers get the opportunity to enjoy a delightful culture, as the venue includes the free-of-charge “Starbucks-like” gourmet coffee bar, the free arcade for the kids, as well as the kids at heart, and even the family-friendly movies that are being displayed on the wide screen televisions altogether completed with free movie popcorn.

Amidst all the special freebies this dealership offers is really the high quality services they provide. All of the vehicles undergo a 160-point mechanical and safety inspection prior to offering it for sale. Apart from this, all certified cars come with a free lifetime warranty, their so-called “Iron-Clad Money Back Guarantee”, and a free vehicle history report on any car. “We also opened our own finance company in 2000-2001 and created our “Everybody Rides” program which offers folks with bruised credit, or maybe even a first time buyer with no credit, an opportunity to finance a car when no one else will,” Tracy adds.

Frank Myers Auto Maxx makes sure to create innovative promos that cater to all types of people, and are suitable for the current times. At present, the said dealership has its “Unsung Heroes” program for members of the society that includes all branches of the military, educators, firefighters and law enforces, stay at home, foster and single parents, clergy and church volunteers, healthcare professionals, farmers, government employees, social workers, waiters and waitresses, and straight ‘A’ students. These are people considered as main contributors to the community, and are being offered reduced down payments, 90 days to first payment through participating lenders, free gas with purchase, free first oil change, as well as additional discounts and reduced interest rate opportunities.

With their inventive promos and creative strategies resulting to a different kind of car shopping experience, it is no longer a wonder that Frank Myers Auto Maxx has garnered numerous recognitions including being one of the Top 50 Independent Car Dealerships in the United States, as well as being chosen as one of the best three car dealerships to work for in the nation. According to Tracy, his father taught him to surround himself with the best people in the industry. Thus, he makes certain that the dealership is composed of only the finest. “One of our biggest successes is in our hiring practices. We rarely hire anyone that has sold cars before and never pay our sales pros commission. They get paid a salary plus bonuses for providing an excellent customer experience,” Tracy asserts.

As a proud Christian Business Owner, one of Tracy’s goals is to run his company “By the Book”. Unlike other corporations and institutions who boast of their community involvements, Tracy prefers to keep his and his company’s participation to themselves. “My company and I are heavily involved in the community but would rather not publicize it. To me, publicizing it takes away from the effectiveness,” Tracy claims.

Publishing his own consumer advocacy book entitled “Car Buying Secrets Exposed” which became a best-seller, Tracy fearlessly proved to his competition that he is not in the business for them, but for his consumers, as he aims to change the way customers see car dealerships especially with the tarnished reputation car salespeople have nowadays.

“Late 2009 saw the introduction of a full automotive service center and an auto-rental division. The key to our continued success will be listening to our customers and giving them the car shopping experience that they want and not giving them what we want them to have. Much like a successful marriage, the lines of communication between Frank Myers Auto Maxx and our customers must remain travel both ways for both parties to remain happy,” Tracy shares. He quotes his great grandfather’s saying, “If there's no customer experience at your business then your customer will seek their experience elsewhere”. With the quality of services this dealership offers, customers will most definitely be looking at the same place for years to come.

Business Leader Names Top 50 NC Entrepreneurs of 2010

TRIAD, N.C. – Business Leader Media is proud to announce that Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx of Winston-Salem, has been named one of one of the Top 50 Entrepreneurs in North Carolina

The winners were chosen from thousands of nominees within six categories. Based on the quality of the nominations, Business Leader chooses four finalists in each category, with the winners being determined by community vote. Last year, over 7,000 people voted for the North Carolina awardees.

Myers remarked, “It really is a privilege to be recognized by Business Leader Media, my community and my peers as one of North Carolina’s top entrepreneurs. My employees and I are deeply committed to continuing the remarkable environment of entrepreneurship that my great grandfather started more than 82 years ago.”

Business Leader Media will honor all of the winners at the 15^th annual awards ceremony to be held Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the Airport Marriott Greensboro.

About Business Leader in the Triad: Business Leader Media publishes Business Leader magazine, The Book of Leaders and the Corporate Relocation Guide in the Triad and operates the area’s largest newswire featuring daily business news, business rankings and business profiles at http://www.TriadNewswire.com. The company hosts over 15 local business events each year in the Triad, including the annual Movers & Shakers, Women Extraordinaire, the Triad Hall of Fame awards, and the Top 100 Small Business awards conferences and a monthly breakfast speaker series featuring top Triad CEOs.

Frank Myers Auto Commits Funds to Haiti Relief

Frank Myers Auto Maxx is donating one hundred dollars for every car sold in the month of January to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx, Tracy Myers, initiated the move immediately after learning about the high magnitude earthquake in Haiti.

“The moment we saw the news, we knew we had to help,” Myers said. “This devastating earthquake killed thousands and thousands of people and conditions for survivors are nearly unbearable. Those of us not affected by this disaster need to step up – everyone in the Frank Myers Automotive Group feel it’s our duty to lead the way.”

Today Frank Myers Auto Maxx sent their first (of hopefully many) $10 donations by texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999. This money goes to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

A representative, who asked to remain anonymous, was thrilled to hear about the Frank Myers Auto initiative by phone this afternoon. “We’re overwhelmed by the quick response of Frank Myers Auto and their generous pledge,” she said. “Tracy has requested that the money be used to help rebuild the hospital and the orphanage in Port-au-Prince.”

In fact, Frank Myers Auto Maxx has a history of jumping in to help generate financial support for victims of natural disasters, including ongoing contributions to the Red Cross, Katrina hurricane victims in 2007 and Iowa flood victims in 2008.

The original Frank Myers Store was started more than 83 years ago by Frank Myers, the Great-Grandfather of the current owner Tracy Myers and the Grandfather of the previous owner, Franklin Myers. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. Tracy was one of the first 100 Certified Master Dealers in the Nation, a NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was the youngest recipient ever to be honored with the highest available distinction in the used car industry...the National Quality Dealer award. Frank Myers Auto Maxx was recently recognized as one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailers in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 10 Internet Auto Retailers in the Nation & one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal. Tracy is also the Co-Creator of the world famous "Everybody Rides" program and author of the best selling book "Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer", available at Amazon.com and better bookstores. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business "By the Book". http://www.frankmyersauto.com/