Road to Leadership: Brett Tekavec's Journey from Bike Washer to Harley-Davidson Dealership Owner | One Gang Ep 125

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of One Gang Worldwide, we sit down with Brett Tekavec, a man who has experienced the Harley-Davidson world from all angles, starting as a bike washer in Cleveland and eventually owning two successful dealerships in DC and Ohio. Brett shares his journey from early passions and diverse job roles to becoming a district manager for Harley-Davidson Motor Company and finally taking the bold step of dealership ownership. He discusses the challenges faced along the way, the importance of listening and creating memorable experiences for customers, and the impact of financial acumen in running a successful business. Brett also touches on industry insights, the need for new customer engagement strategies, and his interactions with Harley-Davidson's new CEO, which bring hope for a better future for the brand and its dealers.00:00 Introduction to Brett01:27 Icebreaker Questions07:41 Brett's Early Years12:15 First Job at Southeast Harley Davidson16:07 Climbing the Ladder17:30 Transition to Harley Davidson Motor Company22:18 Becoming a Business Owner26:54 A Funny High School Story27:43 College and Career Journey28:06 Financial Advice for Aspiring Dealership Owners29:44 Queen City Harley-Davidson Era31:04 Selling the Dream, Not Just the Machine33:23 Challenges in the Motorcycle Dealership World35:56 Harley-Davidson's Market Dynamics42:50 New CEO and Future Prospects54:31 Advice for Aspiring Business Owners56:23 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsConnect with Brett: Website: https://www.npda.org/board-of-directors-2025/brett-tekavecLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-tekavec-mba-59694018/Check Out Our Sponsors: LeatherUp - Use Code "CW20" at checkout for 20% off! : https://www.leatherup.com/  Connect with Cycles Worldwide: Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more episodes:    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9f5Fx7tVs67xgemZUFphaw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551644038136 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/cyclesworldwidellc/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergey-tokman-2a78a6284/ TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@cycles.worldwide