Vernell's Interstate Service: Shawn Hughes - Small Town Big Business

In this episode, Sean Hughes from Vernell's Interstate Service discusses the wide range of services offered by the company, from towing to diesel repair, tire sales, and road service. Sean shares the history of the family-owned business, which has been serving the community for over 60 years, starting from its founder Brunell Sellers' garage. He touches on the company's core values, the importance of maintaining a strong reputation, the challenges faced, and the relationships built with customers and local vendors. Sean also explains the training and safety measures taken to ensure high-quality service, and highlights the company's commitment to customer service and community engagement.Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://vernellsinterstateservice.com/00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:09 Overview of Verne's Interstate Services01:16 History of Verne's Interstate Service02:43 Service Area and Employee Details04:28 Company Values and Customer Service07:52 Employee Training and Safety11:31 Customer Relationships and Referrals14:31 Personal Background and Joining Verne's15:19 Challenges in Running the Business16:53 Adapting to Modern Work Culture17:24 Building a Strong Team18:52 Challenges in the Towing Business20:47 Industry Changes and Training23:38 Supporting Local Vendors24:29 Future Business Plans28:48 Community and Relationships32:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts