Waters Family Scholarship

Congratulations to Jordan Broome, daughter of Tracey Heblon and Chris Broome, on being selected as a recipient of the Waters Family Scholarship through the Community Foundation of East Mississippi! Chris serves as the Controller at our Meridian location.

Throughout high school, Jordan demonstrated dedication, determination and a strong commitment to excellence. She was actively involved in Beta Club, competed on her school’s powerlifting team, earned all A’s during her senior year, and generously volunteered her time at numerous school events.

This fall, Jordan will begin her journey at East Mississippi Community College, where she plans to pursue a degree in Funeral Service Technology.

Jordan’s hard work and passion for helping others have already set her on a path to success, and we are honored to support her as she takes this exciting next step. Please join us in congratulating Jordan on this well-deserved achievement!

ProMAXX Tool’s Adaptable Broken Bolt Repair Kit

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Thanks to Bullit—ProMAXX Tool’s adaptable broken bolt repair kit, an experienced diesel tech quickly fixed a broken exhaust manifold bolt on a commercial dump truck and got it back where it belongs—on the road making money for his customer.

“I was working on a Peterbilt 386 3-axle dump truck with a Cummins ISX-15 engine with a busted exhaust manifold bolt on cylinder six. It was causing a significant exhaust leak and impaired the engine’s performance,” said veteran diesel tech Basil Frew.

Welding Doesn’t Always Work

In the past, Frew welded out broken bolts. But this method can go bad, leading to longer repair times. For the Cummins repair, he turned to ProMAXX Tool’s adaptable broken bolt repair kit, which adjusts to work on any linear bolt pattern.

Bullit Cuts Broken Bolt Repair Times in half

“This was my first time using a specific tool for bolt extraction, so it took a bit longer to set up and get the hang of it,” he said. “But the whole job was done in about 30 minutes. I’m sure with more experience, it could be even quicker…maybe around 20 minutes.”

Using the Bullit by ProMAXX Tool is a game-changer, offering a more precise and less frustrating alternative to traditional methods like welding a nut onto the broken bolt. The Bullit is built with adjustable carriages and can be effortlessly configured to fit any linear bolt pattern.

Basil used the Bullit and reduced his repair time. He boasts “This tool saved at a minimum 15 minutes and possibly up to 25 minutes to repair one bolt. Keep in mind, that’s cutting the repair time in half while delivering a better and more accurate end result.”

Setting up a welder and leads from a service truck typically takes about 10-15 minutes, with similar time for takedown. With that method, the whole process could easily stretch to 45 minutes or more.

Working as a diesel mechanic Basil has used the age-old method of attempting to weld a nut to the broken off bolt without a guarantee it would work every time. Now using the Bullit he will get repairs completed in half the time with 100 percent accuracy if used correctly.

Kit Configurations For Multiple Engines

There are several variations of the Bullit that allow the tool to work on a variety of bolt sizes including the popular 10 mm x 150 mm, 12 mm x 125 mm and a 3/8-inch version for classic engines. There is even a Cummins ISX 10 mm x 150 mm version with special carriages that lift the ProPlate clear of obstructions.

Frew is an experienced diesel tech who has owned his own business as a field service diesel mechanic working on trucks, heavy equipment and large diesel generators. Before that, he went to the Caterpillar Think Big Program and worked for his local Cat dealer for six years as a heavy equipment tech and generator tech.

“This tool seems like it works with about the same accuracy as if you brought the part to a machine shop and had it machined out and re-tapped,” Frew said. “Once again this is one of the best quality tools I have, and it shows!

New Jerr-Dan® Low-Profile Underlift Offerings Now Available for Heavy-Duty Wreckers and Rotators

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Media Contacts:
Richard Wright
Sr Marketing Communications
240-267-9557
rrwright@jlg.com

Amber Reed
Mgr. PR Consultant
515-577-4639
areed@jlg.com

350XLP and 500LP underlifts combine rugged, low-profile construction and proven engineering that customers expect from Jerr-Dan

Hagerstown, MD (July 2, 2026) — Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh Corporation business and leading manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment, has expanded its heavy-duty product lineup with the introduction of two new low-profile underlift offerings: the 350XLP and 500LP. Designed to address the increasing prevalence of lower front bumpers, air dams and aerodynamic designs on today’s commercial vehicles, the new underlifts provide towing and recovery operators with enhanced access to roadside casualties while maintaining the strength, reliability and durability that define Jerr-Dan^® equipment.

“Today’s trucks continue to evolve, and towing equipment needs to evolve alongside them,” says Andrew Stevens, product manager for Jerr-Dan. “Designed to deliver the capability towers need on today’s recoveries, our new low-profile underlifts give operators the ability to get underneath modern vehicles more easily while delivering the heavy-duty design and long service life customers expect from Jerr-Dan.”

The new 350XLP joins the company’s 350 Series of underlifts, available on the JD35 Ton Integrated Heavy-Duty Wrecker. The Jerr-Dan 350XLP underlift features a 35,000-lb retracted lifting capacity, 16,000-lb extended lifting capacity and reaches up to 143-in past the tailboard when extended with forks at ground level.

The new 500LP expands the company’s 500 Series of underlifts and is available across multiple Jerr-Dan heavy-duty platforms, including the JD50 Ton Integrated Heavy-Duty Wrecker, JD60 Ton Independent Heavy-Duty Wrecker, JD35/40 Ton Rotator and JD50/60 Ton Rotator. Depending on the configuration, the 500LP underlift delivers a 50,000-lb retracted lifting capacity, 17,000-lb extended lifting capacity and up to 148-in of reach past the tailboard with forks at ground level.

“Both new offerings are engineered to provide the versatility and application flexibility demanded by today’s heavy-duty towing operations,” says Stevens. “The lower-profile designs help operators more easily position underlifts beneath modern commercial vehicles, reducing the need for additional repositioning during recovery operations.”

Beyond the low-profile design, the new Jerr-Dan underlifts incorporate several engineering features that reinforce the capability and confidence operators need: A robust 5-in crossbar and oversized pivot pin are designed to provide the heavy-duty performance, while the floating mid-section helps the underlift better accommodate real-world recovery conditions and an expanded selection of fork attachments provides added versatility for a wide range of towing applications.

“The introduction of these new underlifts reinforces our commitment to providing purpose-built solutions that meet the challenges our customers face every day,” Stevens says, “without compromising the rugged construction and proven engineering that have become synonymous with the Jerr-Dan name.”

The 350XLP and 500LP underlifts are now available for order through Jerr-Dan’s authorized distributor network. To find your local authorized Jerr-Dan Distributor, visit our website here: www.jerrdan.com/distributor-search.

To learn more about Jerr-Dan products and services, visit www.jerrdan.com.

facebook.com/JerrDanCorp/
instagram.com/jerrdancorp/
linkedin.com/company/jerr-dan-corporation
youtube.com/@jerr-dan

###

About Jerr-Dan

JerrDan, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is a leading manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment and offers an extensive range of light, medium and heavy-duty carriers, wreckers and rotators. The company is headquartered in Hagerstown, MD, and its products are backed by industry-leading warranties and a strong service network dedicated to the towing professional. To learn more about Jerr-Dan, visit www.jerrdan.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, purpose-built vehicles and equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG^®, Pierce^®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh^® S-Series™, McNeilus^®, IMT^®, Jerr-Dan^®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh^® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™, Oshkosh^® Defense and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

^®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology

are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities and others to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economies and the Company’s customers, suppliers and employees; and the cyclical nature of the Company’s Access Equipment, Commercial and Fire & Emergency markets, which are particularly impacted by the strength of U.S. and European economies and construction seasons.

Summer Heat reminds me that Trade Show Season is on the Horizon

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2026 has already been a whirlwind of a year so far! The 1^st quarter kicked off with our friends at the PWOF! The Florida Tow show was great, and as this issue hits the interwebs, the show season is upon us. Make sure that you and your family add to your schedule: TPRNC’s Mid Atlantic Tow Show, held in Raleigh, NC Sept 11^th -12^th. I personally attended the show for the last 2 years and it is an awesome event! This year will be the 3^rd year to be held indoors with the new association management. This show is growing every year and has brought in over 50 vendors and 850 + attendees. It was a great success for all, and a show you will not want to miss this year! Make sure you contact the staff at 336- 975-0029 and get your booth reserved today. You will not regret it. The Midwest Regional Show is the following week in Mason, Ohio at the Great Wolf Lodge. If you chose to wait and see last year, I can tell you that you will not want to leave this off your schedule this year. This is one of the best family shows after 48 years and is still growing! Make sure you get your booth now by calling 513-831-show, or visit www.midwesttowshow.org. Sept 24^th -26^th

In this issue, DJ Harrington with his “Fuel for Thought,” looks at our very own podcast, Tow Professional “On the Go Podcast.” This podcast gives insight to the latest product and services while standing for the flag and kneeling for the cross. Our listeners have propelled its success to over 23k listeners worldwide and # 1 in our market. John Borowski’s installment of “Under the Hood,” focuses on attending trade shows and making the smart buy for your business. This is on point and looks inside purchase decisions made at trade shows. Michelle Sukow brings it home in her column the “Women of Towing.” Michelle spotlights Fabiana Ireland, her background, growth and commitment to industry.

This issue is centered around our 2026 Buyer’s Guide, including an A-Z listing of companies doing business in this market, and category listings of those manufacturers, dealers, distributors, and service providers to assist in your purchasing needs for your business. Zips takes a look at the Chevrolet 6500 flatbed and how this can be a solution to your daily calls. Robert Young’s shows us their solution to heavy towing when it comes to NRC’s 5^th wheel attachment.

We again thank our readers and our vendors and are very proud to be a part of this amazing industry! Until next time, be safe and God bless!

Darian Weaver
President & Publisher

The Smart Buy

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By John Borowski

Walk the aisles of any towing trade show and you’ll quickly discover one thing: everyone has the next great product. New trucks promise greater lifting capacity. Software companies promise increased efficiency. Equipment manufacturers claim faster recoveries, improved safety, and higher profits. It’s easy to become caught up in the excitement of shiny paint, polished chrome, and impressive demonstrations.

The real challenge isn’t finding something to buy. The challenge is knowing what deserves your investment.

After spending more than five decades in this industry, I’ve watched towing companies make outstanding purchasing decisions—and I’ve watched others spend thousands of dollars on equipment that never truly benefited their business. The difference usually isn’t the size of the investment. It’s the thought process behind it.

Successful towing companies don’t buy because something is new. They buy because it solves a problem.

Too many purchasing decisions begin with a price tag. That’s understandable. Every owner wants to control costs, especially in an industry where insurance, fuel, labor, and equipment expenses continue to rise. But focusing solely on the lowest price often becomes the most expensive mistake a company can make.

The better question isn’t, “How much does it cost?” It’s, “What will it return?”

Every purchase should improve the business in some measurable way. Maybe it reduces dispatch time. Maybe it shortens a recovery by twenty minutes. Maybe it eliminates paperwork or reduces overtime. Perhaps it prevents equipment damage or helps operators work more safely on the shoulder of a busy interstate. Whatever the benefit, the purchase should produce value long after the invoice has been paid.

One of the most overlooked costs in our industry is downtime. Every hour a truck sits in a repair facility represents lost revenue, disappointed customers, and schedules that suddenly become more difficult to manage. That reality makes reliability one of the most valuable features any product can offer.

A dependable piece of equipment isn’t simply easier to own—it becomes more profitable over its lifetime. That’s why experienced buyers ask different questions than inexperienced ones. They want to know how quickly replacement parts can be obtained. They ask how responsive technical support has been. They want to hear from companies that have already used the equipment for several years, because real-world experience tells a far more complete story than any sales brochure ever will.

“The cheapest purchase is rarely the least expensive.”

That lesson applies equally to technology. Today’s towing companies have access to remarkable software that can automate dispatching, simplify billing, improve communication, and provide operational insight that simply wasn’t available a decade ago. Technology has become one of the industry’s greatest competitive advantages—but only when it simplifies the business.

If software creates additional work, requires endless manual data entry, or forces employees to develop complicated workarounds, it has missed the mark. Good technology should quietly remove obstacles, allowing dispatchers, drivers, and office personnel to spend more time serving customers and less time managing the software itself.

Safety deserves similar consideration. Some purchases don’t directly increase revenue, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Traffic control devices, recovery equipment, personal protective equipment, lighting, and operator training may never appear on a profit-and-loss statement as revenue generators. Yet they reduce accidents, lower liability, protect employees, and, in some cases, save lives. Those are returns that cannot be measured solely in dollars.

Another purchasing mistake many businesses make is evaluating only the product while overlooking the company standing behind it. You’re not simply buying a truck, a winch, a software platform, or a tool. You’re establishing a relationship with a supplier. The best vendors continue supporting you long after delivery day. They answer the phone when something goes wrong. They stock replacement parts. They provide training. They listen to customer feedback and continue improving their products. Those relationships often become just as valuable as the equipment itself.

Perhaps the best advice I can offer is remarkably simple: talk to other towers.

Ask owners what they bought five years ago that they’d purchase again tomorrow. Ask what disappointed them. Ask what has proven itself after thousands of recoveries instead of a polished demonstration on a convention floor. The towing industry has always been built on shared experience, and those conversations remain one of the smartest forms of research any buyer can conduct.

As you browse this annual Buyer’s Guide, remember that every company featured here is offering a solution to a problem. Your job isn’t to buy everything that’s available. Your job is to identify the products, services, and technologies that will move your business forward.

The companies that consistently outperform their competition aren’t necessarily the ones spending the most money. They’re the ones making the smartest investments.

In the end, successful buying has very little to do with finding the lowest price. It has everything to do with recognizing lasting value. When every purchase is made with profitability, safety, efficiency, and long-term growth in mind, those investments continue paying dividends long after the excitement of the purchase has faded.

And that’s the difference between buying equipment—and building a better business.

SIDEBAR

Five Questions Every Buyer Should Ask

Before signing the purchase order, ask yourself:

✔ Does this make my company safer?

✔ Will this increase productivity?

✔ Can I realistically recover the investment?

✔ Will this still be useful five years from now?

✔ Is the vendor someone I trust to support me after the sale?

If you can’t confidently answer all five questions, keep shopping.

Continue the article.

About halfway through, another visual break.

PULL QUOTE

“Price is what you pay. Value is what your business keeps earning long after the purchase.”

— John Borowski

(The art department can put this in a shaded box with oversized quotation marks.)

Continue discussing technology, reliability, and vendor relationships.

Toward the end, insert another sidebar.

BUYER’S CHECKLIST

Before You Buy…

□ Talk to another towing company that owns it.

□ Ask about service after the sale.

□ Check parts availability.

□ Calculate the return on investment.

□ Compare operating costs—not just purchase price.

□ Think about where your company will be in five years.

□ Never sacrifice safety to save money.

Finish with the concluding paragraphs.

Closing Thought

The annual Buyer’s Guide isn’t simply a catalog of products.

It’s a catalog of opportunities.

Every truck, every software platform, every piece of recovery equipment, every supplier represented in these pages offers the chance to improve your operation. The challenge isn’t deciding whether to invest—it’s deciding where your investment will make the greatest difference.

The companies that consistently lead this industry have one thing in common. They don’t chase bargains. They make deliberate decisions. They invest in equipment that improves productivity, strengthens safety, supports their employees, and serves their customers for years to come.

That’s what separates purchasing from investing.

And in today’s towing industry, investing wisely has never been more important.

Outlasting The Doubt

BLP MEDIA

Ontario tower Fabiana Ireland built her career, her company, and her reputation one call at a time.

There is a moment every woman in towing remembers. It is the moment she realizes everyone is watching.

Watching to see if she struggles.
Watching to see if she fails.
Watching to see if she belongs.

For Fabiana Ireland, Co-Owner of Rescue 51 Towing & Recovery Inc. in Cookstown, Ontario, that moment came early in her driving career, standing in a tow yard hooking up a tractor while at least ten experienced men stood nearby.

Not one offered help- only criticism.

She held it together until she drove away. “I cried for some time on the way home,” she admits. “Out of frustration and anger more than anything.” She never forgot that moment and she never let it define her. Instead, she let it fuel her. Today, Fabiana Ireland does not need to tell anyone she belongs. She shows them. Every day.

A Life She Never Expected

Fabiana did not grow up in towing. She did not grow up around trucks at all. Originally from South America, her introduction to the industry came when she married her husband, James, in August of 2000. He owned a towing company with his father, and slowly, Fabiana began helping.

At first, it was dispatching. Then she was learning the trucks. Which eventually turned into running the float division. “I had never been around anything like it,” she says. “But I learned.”

Like so many women in this industry, her path was not direct. It was built around family. When the company was eventually sold, Fabiana stepped away to focus on raising their daughter. But towing has a way of finding its way back. Once her daughter was in school, Fabiana returned as a dispatcher. In 2015, encouraged by James, she took a leap that would change everything. She became a volunteer firefighter and earned her commercial driver’s license.

Not long after, she found herself behind the wheel on her first tow- a full-size school bus. “My nerves were shot,” she says. “But I had the best teacher beside me.” That moment planted a seed.

One that would grow into something much bigger.

Betting Everything on Themselves

By 2017, Fabiana and James had reached a point many in this industry understand. They were done building someone else’s dream. They wanted their own.

So, they started Rescue 51 Towing & Recovery Inc.

There were no shortcuts. “We sold every toy we ever owned to get the business started,” Fabiana says. “It was rough at first, but quitting wasn’t an option.” Their first truck was a 1989 International Eagle with a 20-ton NRC slider. It was not about having the newest equipment. It was about having the courage to begin. What they did have was something even more valuable- Trust. Customers who had known them for years followed them. Slowly, steadily, Rescue 51 grew.

Today, their fleet includes:

Four heavy wreckers
Two flatbeds
A float
An emergency support unit
Airbags and specialized recovery equipment

But even with all that growth, one thing has not changed. It’s still personal. It’s still family. And it’s still built on sacrifice.

Wearing Every Hat

Fabiana is the first one in the office most mornings. And often, the last one still working. She handles dispatch, invoicing, insurance, payroll, licensing, and everything it takes to keep the business moving forward. “If there’s a wreck, I’ll go,” she says. “If they need me to drive, I drive. If they need a supervisor, I do that too.” And when the workday ends, she goes home and cooks dinner. If the phone rings overnight, she and James respond together.

It’s not glamorous.

It’s real.

It’s the life so many towing families live.

The Power of Support

Fabiana is quick to credit the people who helped her along the way, especially her husband. “He believes I can do anything,” she says. “I couldn’t do it without him.” That support made it possible for her to grow in an industry that does not always make space easily for women.

She is also proud of the example she set for her children. Her daughter followed in her footsteps and became a volunteer firefighter. “Our kids think their mom is the coolest,” she says.

There is no award bigger than that.

Earning Her Place

Respect in towing isn’t given- it’s earned. Fabiana knows that better than most. “It took years to feel accepted,” she says.

Years of working in the snow.

Years of working through the night.

Years of proving herself without saying a word.

Today, she serves as a Director with the Professional Towing Association of Ontario, helping advocate for the industry and its future. In 2023, she received one of the highest honors in recovery when she was named a Top 10 WreckMaster. She became only the fourth woman in Canada to earn that recognition. “To stand alongside the best in the industry was something I’ll never forget,” she says. It was not just a personal victory. It was proof of how far she had come.

Her Advice to Women Entering Towing

Fabiana does not pretend it is easy. “This industry is tough,” she says. Especially for women balancing business, family, and expectations.

Her advice is simple and powerful. “Family comes first. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

She also believes in something else. Women do not need to change who they are to succeed. “If you can do the job safely and still be yourself, do it,” she says. You do not have to lose your identity to earn your place.

What Success Really Means

After more than two decades in towing, Fabiana has accomplished more than she ever imagined.

She has built a business.

Earned respect.

Raised a family.

And helped pave the way for others.

But when asked how she defines success, her answer has nothing to do with trucks or titles. “A successful life,” she says, “is when your children are successful.” It is a perspective that says everything about who she is.

Still Showing Them

There will always be someone watching, still wondering, still doubting. Fabiana Ireland does not worry about them anymore. She simply does what she has always done.

She shows up.

She does the work.

And she shows them.

Second Quarter Update from Jerr-Dan: Strong Momentum, Steady Markets and a Unified Voice for Towing & Recovery

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As we approach the midpoint of 2026, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an active and encouraging first half of the year across the towing and recovery industry.

We had a busy stretch on the road this spring, highlighted by two of the industry’s biggest events: The Orlando Tow Show and the Las Vegas Tow Show. Both events delivered strong attendance and meaningful engagement, reinforcing the resilience and commitment we continue to see across this market.

In Orlando, we had the opportunity to showcase our JD35/40T rotator, complete with live demonstrations. These demos were a great platform to highlight not only the unit’s capabilities but also what truly differentiates it in today’s market. The response from operators and owners alike was extremely positive, and it’s clear there’s strong interest in equipment that pushes performance and versatility forward.

Las Vegas offered a different, but equally valuable, opportunity: A customer event to celebrate our partnerships. These relationships are so critical, and the conversations we had there were so meaningful. They give us real insight into what the industry is experiencing day to day and will help us shape how we can better provide support.

From a market standpoint, things remain steady. Our distributors are actively working through inventory, and overall activity is up year over year. Inventory levels are healthy, backlog remains strong and we’re seeing what looks like a return to more normalized consumption patterns across the industry. At the same time, we’re all keeping a close eye on interest rates and how they may impact purchasing decisions, as well as trade-in values and the used truck market.

Out in the field, one thing is clear: Towers are busy. Vehicles on the road are aging, and with that comes increased breakdowns and higher service demand. The volume of work is there.

However, that doesn’t mean the environment is without challenges. The cost of doing business remains high. Fuel and insurance, in particular, could cause significant headwinds. Many operators are evaluating fuel surcharges to offset rising pump prices. At the same time, we recognize the complexity of that conversation, especially in an industry where getting paid can already be a challenge, and pricing is often negotiated on-site. It’s not an easy balance.

On the advocacy front, February’s Hill Day in Washington, D.C. was a strong and productive effort in partnership with the TRAA. It’s critical that our industry has a voice, and we were there with four key priorities in mind. First, we focused on reinforcing the importance of enforcing existing laws — specifically the “Slow Down, Move Over” initiative — to improve safety for operators working roadside.

Second, we discussed outdated DOT regulations, particularly those related to truck weights and dimensions. Equipment continues to evolve, but regulations haven’t always kept pace. That gap needs to be addressed.

Third, we brought attention to concerns around predatory rate pressures. Unlike EMS, fire or police services, towers rely on billing customers directly, which often leads to on-site negotiations and downward pressure on rates. The industry’s priority should be clearing the scene safely and efficiently, not negotiating compensation in the moment.

Finally, we discussed the potential for towers to obtain first-responder status. Given the risks towers face and the role they play on accident scenes, this is an important step toward aligning safety classifications with reality.

It’s also worth noting that others in the industry, including our largest competitors, were present at Hill Day as well. While we compete in the marketplace, we share a responsibility to support and strengthen the industry. That united front is something we hope to continue building on.

As always, I want to thank you for the work you do every day. This industry plays a vital role in keeping roads safe and traffic moving, often under challenging conditions. We remain committed to supporting towers with the equipment, advocacy and partnership needed to succeed.

Stay safe out there,

Bob Nelson
Vice President and General Manager, Jerr-Dan

Cornerstone Advisor Group

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At the heart of every financial decision is a family, a future, and a story.

That’s why I do more than simply offer insurance solutions — I help individuals, families, business owners, and professionals create strategies that protect their income, preserve their legacy, and prepare for life’s unexpected moments.

Through my work with Cornerstone Advisors (www.cornerstoneadvisors.com), clients gain access to a collaborative team of professionals who work together to provide guidance in:

Life Insurance & Family Protection
Retirement Planning Strategies
Employee Benefits & Group Coverage
Health Insurance Solutions
Medicare Guidance
Legacy & Estate Planning Support
Wealth Transfer Strategies
Business Protection Planning

More Than Life Insurance

Many people know me for helping families secure life insurance protection, but one of the biggest areas where we help clients every day is navigating health insurance.

Whether someone is:

Self-employed
Transitioning between careers
Losing employer coverage
Retiring early
Looking for better benefits
Confused about Medicare options
Trying to protect their family from rising healthcare costs

…our team is here to help simplify the process.

Health insurance can feel overwhelming. My goal is to make it personal, understandable, and tailored to your situation — not a one-size-fits-all solution.

A Personal Approach Backed By A Strong Team

One of the things I value most is building genuine relationships with the people I serve.

I believe clients deserve someone who will answer the phone, explain options clearly, and walk alongside them through important financial and healthcare decisions.

At the same time, no one person has every answer.

That’s why being part of the Cornerstone Advisors team matters. Behind every client relationship is a network of experienced professionals working together to help provide thoughtful strategies and support.

You get personal attention with the strength of a team.

Helping People Through Life Transitions

Life changes fast.

Career changes, retirement, growing families, business ownership, market uncertainty, and unexpected health situations can all create financial stress and confusion.

Our mission is to help people feel informed, prepared, and protected during those moments.

Because planning is not just about policies.

It’s about peace of mind.

LET’S CONNECT

Whitney Williams
Financial & Benefits Professional

www.cornerstoneadvisors.com

Midwest Regional Tow Show

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Let me tell you about an event called the Midwest Regional Tow Show that is celebrating our 48^th annual fun, family-friendly show full of the best exhibitors and attendees! This show is held at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio. Do yourself a favor, don’t miss this great spectacular location. Your children will thank you for bringing them to the most family-friendly show of the year. Children are entertained on Friday and Saturday evenings with fun events and great sitters, allowing parents to attend the show events.

For learning instruction, there will be plenty of seminars. The Ohio towing association, TRAO (Towing and Recovery Association of Ohio), recognizes the need for education in the industry so they strive to offer the seminars at this show at no-cost, yes, I said it – “FREE”.

On Thursday night, starting at 6:00 p.m., there is an event called the “Celebration of Life” / Slow Down, Move Over Event with a full-scale parade in honor of those that are no longer with us and to promote Slow Down/Move Over. Afterwards there will be live entertainment along with food and a cash bar.

A quote from DJ Harrington (The Tow Doctor himself stated….”Now, let me spend a few moments about the reason I like this show much more than other shows. Yes, it is the most family-friendly tow show of the year. I will certainly give it that. Here’s another reason I prefer this show. On Friday night, you will find me at the Injured Driver’s Fund Auction. There is plenty of food, drinks, music and a cash bar at this event. I will be bringing some items for the auction. All the proceeds go straight to the Injured Driver’s Fund. The live auctioneer makes it fun and very entertaining. All the items line the walls of this big room which have been donated by fellow towers and vendors attending this show. So, bring one or two items to auction off for this great cause. Additionally, after this event, you can join in a poker tournament or listen to an exciting LIVE band.”

The women of TRAO (WTRAO) host an awesome, themed luncheon with food, entertainment and excitement for the ladies Saturday at 12:00 p.m. This gives the ladies time to chillax and have fun without the hubbies and children! It is definitely an event that ALL ladies want to attend. A little birdie told me that the theme for this year is a “Masquerade Party”. Get your tickets for only $25.00 at the WTRAO booth located in the main conference area. Best dressed wins an award. Come dressed for the part !!

Saturday, there is an awards ceremony where trophies are handed out for the truck beauty contest, Light Show and for the kid’s awards. For all adults, Saturday night is karaoke night. We definitely have “the karaoke singers.” from across the states!! It is fun to watch everyone take the stage, and they have a great time. There are always people there that will sing along with you.

Every night is “Lil Towers Night.” Friday night is “Beach Party” themed while Saturday night is “Movie Night”. Great Wolf Lodge even has characters that pay the kids a visit!

We have towers from across of the states! So, go to www.MidwestTowShow.org or call Tom Mesaros at 513-831-7469(SHOW) if you want a booth. SAVE THE DATE: September 24^th – 26^th. Call Lillian at 513-229-5814 to reserve your room before they run out!

TRAA MEMBER ALERT: TRAA on Capital Hill

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Good afternoon,

It has been quite the week for TRAA on Capitol Hill – and we couldn’t be happier with how things are progressing.

Early this morning, the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee marked up and passed the Build America 250 Act – otherwise known as the Surface Transportation Reauthorization or the Highway Bill. We are thrilled to report that the bill included an amendment, led by TRAA, to fix the weights & measures issues we lobbied on during our recent Hill Day(s).

As many of you are aware, as we prepared for the mark up of the Surface Transportation Act (or the Highway Bill), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) sought to repeal the progress we had made on weights & measures in the 2015 FAST Act. AASHTO’s ask was to send all permitting back to the states without any exemptions for towing and recovery operations. AASHTO’s language was included in the base text of the Highway bill released earlier this week.

But TRAA fought this initiative, and we fought it hard! The amendment that passed T&I today struck AASHTO’s language, and replaced it with our own language to revise existing weight restrictions for towers on interstate highways and create a new exemption from length requirements for towers responding to tows on the interstate system. This is the issue TRAA has been lobbying for over ten years since the original, flawed exemption was included in the 2015 FAST Act, and exact language we lobbied for during 2026 Hill Day.

The amendment was led by Reps. David Taylor (R-OH-2) and Chris Pappas (D-NH-2), and co-sponsored by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL-21). Critical behind the scenes work on this amendment was also led by Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC-7), and bipartisan support was secured from Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA-2). Additionally, many of our TRAA members who have Representatives who sit on the T&I Committee reached out to explain the district impact of this amendment. This bipartisan and constituent driven outreach is what won the day for us, and we thank you all for your support and efforts along the way.

The BUILD America 250 Act, with “weights & measures” included, now awaits floor action in the House. The Senate also has yet to weigh in on its priorities for the surface transportation bill, and TRAA’s work will now move to ensuring that “weights & measures” remains in the compromise legislation that will eventually emerge between the two chambers. We are very optimistic that we will be able to defend its inclusion in the final package, and these necessary safety protections will be finalized, but we will be calling on you again as our work in the Senate takes shape.

I cannot stress enough that this effort, and the related success we reported Wednesday on our EV fires language, would not be possible without the hard work of towers who attend TRAA’s annual Hill Day and offer their assistance throughout the year to maintain good relationships with their local elected officials. When towers work together, great things can happen, and this is just another example of the progress we can make together.

As always, the TRAA and TSG teams are both available to answer questions you may have. Thank you for your continued support in these legislative efforts.

Sincerely,

Liesl Sheehan

Tremont Strategies Group

2026 TPRNC Mid Atlantic Tow Expo

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The North Carolina Tow Show last year was a blast! TRPNC‘s Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo is held in Raliegh, NC at the Jim Graham Center. This show was a game changer that has brought many companies in from across the nation. The entire board of TRPNC knocked it out of the park with this show, and their attention to detail was evident. The show in 2025 had tons of vendors and attendees. It was a huge step in the right direction, and from the feedback from attending vendors, it was a great success for them as well!

The Jim Graham building is a beautiful facility that has lots of room for growth, but affordable rates that allow vendors to make the most of their efforts! TRPNC did an awesome job again with the Silent Auction, raising funds to pour right back into our industry for training, legislation, and support. The show floor consisted of 70+ booths, a wrecker beauty pageant consisting of 40+ gorgeous trucks, representing all manufactures within the industry, and an area set aside for kids to enjoy a host of activities.

The Kids’ Corner consisted of tables for coloring, painting, face painting, and a huge blown-up bouncy house for all the kids to play. Families were able to sign their kids in, visit vendors, look across the show floor, and see their kids having the time of their life supervised by certified professionals.

There was also a night at the Drive Shack. This was an awesome event for all, lots of laughs, food, drinks and time to just enjoy our friends in the industry. TRPNC did an awesome job aligning fun, and family friendly events, all within minutes from the show.

This will be a great opportunity for vendors to expand their earnings in 2026 and reach more tow professionals throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. We hope to see you there at the Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo in 2026!

The Towing and Recovery Professionals of NC (TRPNC) were proud to present this Year’s NC Tow Truck and Trade Show for our members and the men and women who work in the towing industry. Lots of planning and hard work have gone into this event, to bring you top-notch training, access to the industry’s top vendors and to encourage networking with your peers.

Make sure the TRPNC Mid-Atlantic Tow Show is on your calendar this year!

N.C. State Fairgrounds
September 11th-12th, 2026
Jim Graham Building
1025 Blue Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607

Hino Trucks Introduces Battery Electric Medium-Duty Truck at the ACT Expo

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NOVI, Mich. – Hino Trucks introduced the all-new Le Series battery electric vehicle (BEV) at ACT Expo 2026, reinforcing the company’s commitment to reducing environmental impact across its product portfolio. The Le Series is available in both 25,950 lbs. (L6e) and 33,000 lbs. (L7e) GVWR configurations.

The introduction of the Le Series reflects Hino’s continued focus on supporting customers as they work to improve their environmental footprint, while maintaining the performance, durability, and ownership experience fleets expect.

“Introducing the Le Series is an important step in our efforts to reduce environmental impact and support our customers’ sustainability goals,” said Rodney Shaffer, Vice President, National Accounts & Zero Emission Vehicles of Hino Trucks. “We’ve focused on delivering a solution that builds on our proven platform and is well-suited for the applications where electric vehicles make the most sense, helping fleets take practical and meaningful steps toward lower emissions.”

Energy is supplied by the Hexagon Purus ProPack™ Battery System with Panasonic Energy lithium-ion battery cells rated at 269 kWh and up to 750 volts. DC fast charging (CCS Type 1 / 120 kW) enables 0–80 percent state-of-charge in approximately 1.8 hours. Powered by Accelera’s Integrated e-Axle 14Xe Gen 4.5, the Le Series delivers 260 kW / 348 hp of peak power and 180 kW / 241 hp continuous power through an integrated two-speed automatic transmission and axle.

The advanced electrical system supports high energy efficiency and optimized range, helping fleets improve operational efficiency while reducing emissions. Programmable regenerative braking and improved weight distribution further enhance overall vehicle performance.

Drivers benefit from smooth, responsive electric torque and quiet operation, contributing to reduced fatigue and improved driving comfort. For body builders, the clear back-of-cab design simplifies upfitting across a range of applications.

The Le Series also comes standard with an automatic emergency braking system and lane departure warning system.

Production is scheduled to begin in Q3 2026, supporting Hino’s broader efforts to deliver practical solutions that align with evolving environmental standards and customer needs.

About Hino Trucks: Hino Trucks, manufactures, distributes, and services a lineup of Class 6-8 commercial trucks in the United States. Hino Trucks offers a product lineup focused on low total cost of ownership, proven reliability, maneuverability, and a comprehensive bundle of standard features. Hino is committed to supporting customers with practical solutions that help reduce environmental impact while meeting the demands of real-world applications. Headquartered in Novi, Michigan, Hino has a nationwide dealer network committed to delivering the ultimate ownership experience.

National Safety Month – Traffic Commander

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Safety means survival for those working between the white lines

Close calls and near misses are stark reminders for anyone working between the white lines that safety means survival, and every precaution takes effort and determination. It’s a policy position shared by many industry leaders, including the experts at Zip’s AW Direct, during National Safety Month.

This June, the team from Zip’s wants to remind everyone to make safety their first priority throughout the year. Every day, every call on the side of the road comes with inherent risks for the following individuals: towing and recovery operators, repossession agents, road service providers, lockout technicians and municipal crews, among others.

Making their living on the side of the road, these high-risk professions all face the same harsh reality: Distracted drivers are everywhere, and too many motorists still fail to move over or slow down. Despite laws in every state designed to protect them, these roadside workers continue to put their lives on the line while simply doing their jobs.

For those who work along the shoulder, the danger can’t be overstated. It’s personal, according to one seasoned tow operator in an interview with Zip’s. “Not everybody’s going to move over. You just really got to be able to watch your own back because no one’s going to be there to watch the house. My main goal is just to make it back home at the end of the day to my family.”

Another operator shared just how close tragedy can come without warning: “My jacket has been hit before by a truck, so it was pretty close. I’ve also had an incident of a big rig actually striking my truck and hitting my mirror. I have had too many close calls.”

These stories reverberate across the country every single day. Operators are trained, alert and equipped with high-visibility gear and warning lights, yet accidents and near misses continue to happen because modern drivers are increasingly distracted. Flashing amber lights and reflective clothing that once grabbed attention are now often lost in a sea of visual noise.

Awareness alone is no longer enough. As part of National Safety Month, Zip’s is touting the proven, life-saving attributes of variable safety messaging on truck-mounted boards like the SafeAll Traffic Commander. Using simple action words, this enhanced light bar takes command of every situation and directs traffic around sensitive work areas.

Setting the standard for the past four years, the Traffic Commander has changed the landscape for roadside safety. Unlike traditional warning systems, it combines three critical safety tools into one integrated unit: a full message board, a light bar and an arrow stick. The result is a highly visible system designed to communicate directly with drivers in real time.

Compliant with MUTCD standards for roadside messaging, the Traffic Commander was built specifically to solve the growing problem of distracted driving and roadside visibility. The aluminum frame measures five feet wide, and 18” amber LED block letters are cast against a black backdrop for clarity and visibility.

Proven reliable in real-life scenarios, the sign visible from 4,000 feet and legible from 1,000 feet, transmitting clear instructions motorists can immediately understand. Customizable messages such as ‘MOVE LEFT’, ‘SLOW DOWN’ or ‘MERGE RIGHT’ cut through clutter and create stronger driver response before vehicles ever reach a roadside scene.

Operators can control the system from inside or outside the truck, and sign deployment takes less than seven seconds. Adjustments can be made quickly to accommodate changing roadway conditions, lane closures and traffic flow. For companies that have experienced loss firsthand, the impact is undeniable. Bill Atcheson from Rick’s Towing, called the Traffic Commander a game changer.

“Tow operators face real danger every day, yet we are not always seen the same as police or fire. The Traffic Commander changed the game for us. Drivers are numb to flashing lights, but when they read messages like ‘Move Left’ or ‘Slow Down’, they actually respond. This is not an expense. It is an investment in your people and their safety. If it prevents even one accident, it is worth every penny.”

This National Safety Month, the challenge for towing companies, municipalities, police agencies, repossession fleets and roadside service providers is simple: Do not wait for tragedy before upgrading your safety equipment. The roadside environment has changed, and operator protection must evolve with it.

Because at the end of the day, every operator deserves to make it home.

Missed Calls, Missed Revenue: Why Holly’s Towing Dispatch is the Premier Choice for Towing Companies, 24/7

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In the towing industry, we know firsthand that every missed call can cost more than just one job. It can hurt customer satisfaction, damage motor club performance scores, impact police rotation opportunities, and affect the reputation your company has worked hard to build.

The reality is that towing never stops. Calls come in at all hours, customers expect fast response times, and towing company owners are constantly balancing dispatching, driver coordination, customer communication, and daily operations. For many companies, after-hours dispatch still falls on the owner, a spouse, a family member, or even drivers trying to answer phones while staying focused on the road. Over time, that becomes exhausting and difficult to sustain.

This is exactly where Holly’s Towing Dispatch comes in.

We want to provide towing companies with a dispatch solution built specifically for the towing and recovery industry — not a generic answering service that doesn’t understand the urgency or workflow of towing operations. At Holly’s Towing Dispatch, our team focuses exclusively on towing dispatch support. We understand police rotation calls, motor club procedures, accident dispatching, escalation protocols, driver communication, and the importance of handling calls quickly and professionally.

Our goal is simple: we want our dispatch team to feel like a true extension of your business.

Whether you operate one truck or manage multiple locations, we believe professional 24/7/365 dispatch support can help protect your revenue, improve consistency, and reduce the stress that comes with nonstop phone coverage. Some companies use us for overnight dispatching, while others rely on us for overflow support during busy periods, weekends, staffing shortages, or backup coverage when internal dispatchers need time off.

Every towing or roadside company operates differently, which is why we work closely with clients to customize call handling procedures, service areas, driver assignments, escalation instructions, and customer communication preferences. We don’t believe towing companies should have to adapt to a dispatch service — the dispatch service should adapt to the towing company.

One of the biggest benefits our clients tell us about is finally being able to step away from the phone without worrying that calls are being missed or mishandled. In an industry known for burnout, interrupted sleep, and constant pressure, having dependable dispatch support can make a major difference not only for operations, but for quality of life.

When towing companies partner with Holly’s Towing Dispatch, they often experience:

Fewer missed calls and missed revenue opportunities
Better customer service and faster response coordination
Professional handling of police and motor club calls
Improved communication between dispatch and drivers
Reduced owner stress and dispatcher burnout
Greater operational stability during nights, weekends, and peak periods

We also understand that switching to outsourced dispatch support can feel like a big decision. That’s why we offer every new client a free two-week trial. We want towing company owners to experience firsthand how dedicated dispatch support can improve workflow, reduce interruptions, and help capture more opportunities without adding more in-house staffing.

If your company is struggling with missed after-hours calls, nonstop interruptions, or the pressure of always having to answer the phone yourself, now may be the right time to explore a dispatch solution designed specifically for towing.

At Holly’s Towing Dispatch, we’re committed to helping towing companies stay responsive, protect revenue, and operate with confidence — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Try Holly’s Towing Dispatch FREE FOR TWO WEEKS. Call 1-800-730-3909 and see how professional 24/7 dispatch support can help your company capture more calls, reduce stress, and never miss another opportunity after hours.

The Ghost in the Ledger: The True Cost of an Idle Truck

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By: Mr. Industry

In this business, we love the sound of a diesel engine cranking over. To a veteran tower, that rhythmic thrum isn’t just noise, it’s the heartbeat of profit. It’s the sound of a billable mile, the sound of a successful recovery, and the sound of a business that is alive. However, what about the trucks that aren’t making noise? Walk out into your yard right now. Look at that rollback or that heavy-duty wrecker sitting in the corner, cold and silent. Most owners look at a parked truck and find a way to sleep at night by saying, “Well, at least I’m not burning $5-a-gallon diesel today. At least I’m not wearing down a $600 tire or putting miles on the engine.” That thought is a lie. It’s a lie that is costing you a fortune. When a truck sits, it isn’t “free.” It is a ghost on your ledger, quietly and relentlessly eating away at your company’s lifeblood. If you want to stop the bleed and start the lead, you must stop thinking like a driver and start thinking like an actuary.

You must understand the brutal reality of Ownership Cost vs. Operating Cost.

The Invisible Overhead: The Tax on Silence; The towing world believes that expenses only happen when the wheels are turning. In reality, a truck is a financial vampire that sucks money out of your bank account 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Insurance Drain: Your insurance premium is a fixed monster. Whether that truck does 50 calls a day or zero calls a month, the bill from the carrier remains the same. If you’re paying

$12,000 a year to insure a unit, that truck is costing you $32.87 every single day just to exist. When it sits, that thirty bucks is a pure loss. Over a week of idling, you’ve just handed the insurance company $230 for the pleasure of looking at your own equipment.

The Depreciation Trap: Iron doesn’t hold its value like gold. The moment you took delivery of that truck, the clock started ticking. Depreciation is the silent killer of net worth. A truck loses value based on two things: wear-and-tear (miles) and age. Even with zero miles, the market value of that truck drops every time a new model year is released. You are losing equity in a stationary asset. You’re essentially watching a pile of cash slowly evaporate in your parking lot.

Permits, Licensing, and the “Right to Exist”: Taxes, heavy highway use permits, registration, and inspections. Divide those annual costs by the number of days in a year. That is your daily “tax” for the right to let that truck sit idle. In some states, that daily cost is higher than a steak dinner. Are you okay with buying a steak dinner for a piece of machinery that isn’t working for you?

Opportunity Cost: The Thief in the Night.

In business school, they call it “Opportunity Cost.” In the towing yard, we call it “The Thief.” The most dangerous cost to your business isn’t the money you spend; it’s the money you fail to

make. Every hour a truck sits is an hour that it isn’t solving a customer’s problem. Let’s look at the math, because the math doesn’t have feelings:

Average Revenue Per Unit: Let’s say your target is $1,200 in gross revenue per day per
The 5-Day Slump: If that truck sits for just five days a month because you “don’t have the right driver” or “things are slow,” you haven’t saved on fuel.
The Real Loss: You have lost $6,000 in top-line

That $6,000 could have covered your shop rent, paid for a massive marketing push, or gone straight into your retirement fund. Instead, it’s gone. You can’t get those hours back. You can’t “double up” next month to recover it. It is a permanent hole in your history. Furthermore, an idle truck creates a “Service Gap.” Whenever a regular motor club or a local police precinct calls, you have to say “no” because your truck is unstaffed or sitting idle. They don’t wait for you. They call your competitor. An idle truck today often leads to a lost contract tomorrow.

The Stagnation Tax: Why “Resting” is Rotting; There is a physical cost to silence, too. Trucks are biological in their need for movement. They are engineered to be under load, to have hot oil circulating, and to have air moving through the systems. I’ve spent years in shops, and I’ll tell you the truth: A truck that sits is a truck that breaks.

Seals and Gaskets: When they don’t get lubricated by moving fluid, they dry out, shrink, and crack.
The Electrical Gremlins: Batteries drain, and modern ECU systems don’t like low-voltage environments.
The Air System: Moisture settles in the tanks and lines when the compressor isn’t cycling regularly, leading to rust and valve failure.

I’ve seen more “parked” trucks end up in the shop for $3,000 “random” repairs than trucks that are running 12 hours a day. When you finally start that “backup” unit for a big job, that’s when the air bags leak or the turbo sticks. Stagnation is a tax you pay in the form of a tow-bill for your own truck.

The Mr. Industry Truth Bomb: Here it is, plain and simple: If you have a truck that sits idle more than 30% of the month, you don’t have an “extra” truck, you have a liability. You are paying to house a ghost. You are keeping a piece of iron on life support that isn’t providing any value to the family or the employees who depend on you. Owners love to say, “I keep it as a spare in case one breaks down.”

The Truth: You’d be better off selling the spare, taking that $80,000 or $150,000 in cash, and putting it into a high-yield account or upgrading your primary units so they don’t break down.

The Fix: Stop looking at your fleet as “backups” or “potentials.” To be a professional in this game, every unit must have a Mission and a Minimum Revenue Target.

Set a Daily Floor: Every truck in your yard should have a “Nut” it needs to crack every day. Know exactly how much that truck needs to earn just to break even on its
The 90-Day Rule: If a truck hasn’t hit its revenue target for three months straight, it’s time for a hard Does it need a better driver? Does it need a different shift? Or does it need a “For Sale” sign?
Capital Reinvestment: Move the iron. If a truck is costing you more in “Invisible Overhead” than it’s bringing in, sell it. Use that money to pay off debt, buy better gear for your active drivers (maybe some roadside high-vis gear that keeps them safe), or invest in

Next time you walk past a quiet truck in your yard at 10:00 AM, don’t see “reserve capacity.” See a hole in your pocket. Hear your hard-earned money leaking out of the exhaust pipe that isn’t even hot.

Under the Hood: Call to Action

Have a leak you can’t plug? If you’ve got a problem in your shop, a drain on your profits, or an industry “wreck” that needs to be hauled out into the light, Mr. Industry wants to hear from you.

Submit your questions for a future column to: john@roadsider.io

For more on the intersection of recovery and the law, tune into the Hook and Gavel podcast, sponsored by Roadsider, available wherever you get your pods.

I’m Mr. Industry, and I’m here to make sure you’re running a business, not a museum.

Can you handle the truth?

Have You Ever Thought about Quitting?

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I heard a story this week that surprised me. That person was describing what happened to someone that was about to leave our industry. I started reflecting about what keeps people building, moving toward a goal and motivated to complete it when everything seems to point to an easier solution – quitting! I remembered years back that I had taught a class about quitting. Sometimes it makes someone think about changes that need to be made so a person doesn’t quit.

During my conversation with that friend, I wondered why this person decided to quit. According to www.thebalancemoney.com, “People quit their jobs for a variety of reasons.” They noted that it could be due to hiring a bad manager, creating a toxic work environment, salary issues or even personal responsibilities that could prompt someone to quit. Those types of people could be looking for the reason to quit but just needed something or someone that they can point to before they do quit.

I’ll take it one step further. It could be a serious health issue too. Personally, I’ve felt that way lately because not only do I have Guillain-Barre, (an immune syndrome caused by flu, Covid, vaccines or surgeries – I’ve had all of those) However, it has now morphed into CIDP, the ugly stepsister to GBS. I must admit that this recent diagnosis crushed me because my future is bleak with CIDP. Without question, it is. However, I know that God has my life and health in HIS hands. I must do my part to keep my thoughts away from quitting because I don’t want a seat on the quitting fence. I can remember what people said before the CIDP diagnosis that I had the right attitude to keep going….no matter what. So, I’ll keep going no matter what I’ve been dealt.

What makes people quit something they supposedly wanted? Was it because they didn’t have a workable business plan, enough monetary funding, they’re tired or didn’t hire the right people? Here’s some answers.

Establish an Inner Circle

Speaking of people/employees, identify all those employees that can help you achieve your business plan and make them part of your inner circle. Subdivide your structural needs for the business as if you’re doing a reconstruction of it, and then distribute some of what you’re responsible for to the inner circle employees you’ve selected. This might help relieve some of your initial frustration and responsibilities that make you want to throw in the towel.

Social Media Posts

While you’re dividing your personal responsibilities, maybe a person within your company already has the marketing skills to boost your reviews on social media. Get them to start making social media posts. Social media posts can produce positive reviews too. That is important because a person who can market and generate positive reviews could help you with marketing. Always add a short tagline about what you do to every social media post that’s made. If others are posting besides one person, then ask them to add the tagline every time something is posted. Posting on a consistent basis will build trust and loyalty among not only existing customers but with prospective customers too. Don’t think for a minute that you can’t invest in something major like marketing. Anything done right with marketing is not an expense but rather an investment in your business.

Seeking Advice from Successful People within the Industry

Okay, now that we’ve discussed delegating some of your tasks to others within your established business, you should feel relieved of some pressure. Don’t think for a minute that you’ll be able to quit now and restart later. It’s harder to restart a business after you’ve already given up once. Ask someone who did, and they’ll tell you it’s hard. Try this idea instead.

Best Practices of Successful and Seasoned People within the Industry

When you’re at the next trade convention walk over to a successful business owner and drum up a conversation with them. If you don’t already know then, introduce yourself. After you have their undivided attention, ask some questions. Your job is to find out their best practices and what they did to change things. Most of them have been where you are at some point in their business career, and they would love to advise someone else whose sitting on the fence. All of these questions could be asked during the conversation.

Ask them if they ever wanted to quit the business? What changed their mind if they didn’t.
Was it one thing or multiple changes that made a difference?
What practice did they add or change?
After they implemented their changes, were tweaks made later?

This reminds me of a time when a certain businessman was thinking about quitting. They had been in business for a while, but the clientele had changed. People weren’t dropping by as frequently as they once did. So, the businessman and his wife thought about it for a while and decided to work on painting the entire sales reception area as fast as they could until it had been repainted. The transition took some time because they did it after hours and over the weekend.

It wasn’t long before all the employees invested their personal time to get involved. They decided they would help paint the exterior too. Those employees got their children to help paint, all ages above 15, that could use a paintbrush or a roller, and they started painting the exterior. It wasn’t long before the employees were rejuvenated about working there because the old place looked brand new. New flowers were planted where the old, weary bushes used to be. Weeds were pulled, and grass and trees were trimmed. They had transformed the broken-down business into a place where they enjoyed working, and in turn, transformed themselves too.

The employees loved the new look and so did the owners, and all because of the new comradery. The owners decided not to quit after all and began working on other things that could transform their business. The process of quitting had stopped, and they wanted to do whatever was needed to stay in business.

As I mentioned, a very long time ago, I did a class on quitting. When I asked the group for a show of hands of those attendees that felt they wanted to quit at some point, every hand was raised. Quite enlightening, wouldn’t you say?

So, if you have thought about quitting, you’re normal. If you need some advice, give me a call at 770-301-4122. I don’t mind listening.

I’ll see you on the next podcast.

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