Building Trust, Community Legacy, and Seven Automotive Locations

What does it take to build a business people can count on when their plans fall apart? Kohl and Jessie Adamson of Cordell's Automotive have turned car trouble into community trust, expanding from one inherited shop to seven locations across Wisconsin and Minnesota.In this episode, they share how they've built a business on "old school excellence" while navigating industry technology changes, creating a culture where team members work "in the trenches with the wrenches," and investing deeply in small-town communities through hands-on philanthropy that goes far beyond writing checks. Their motto? Be Quick, be clear and be kind. In this episode, we explore:(02:13) From one location to seven automotive shops(04:33) Being there when customers need you most(05:21) Working on the business versus in it(08:30) Technology changes that customers don't realize exist(13:31) Community investment philosophy and approach(18:00) Communication across multiple locations(20:12) Hard lessons from expansion and COVID challengesResources MentionedCordell's Automotive: https://www.cordellsauto.net/Onalaska YMCA Child Watch Center: https://www.laxymca.org/locations/houser-branch