Patriot Tire & Auto

Address: 3 locations – 1611 W. Dupont Road, 205 Fernhill Ave. (beside Glenbrook Square) and 6205 Bluffton Road

At a glance: Patriot Tire & Auto is a one-stop auto shop, including tires, service and oil changes.

Employees: 26

Annual revenue: About $3 million

When was the company founded: 2007 by Larry Knicely and Bill Hart

Biggest accomplishment in the past 12 months: Patriot Tire has been accident-free. Also, all employees have passed a one-month customer service training seminar developed by the owners. Knicely and Hart require new employees to take the training before they can work with customers.

What was your biggest mistake so far in operating this business: “Assuming that everyone knows what all Patriot Tire does,” Knicely said. “We need to do a better job of letting the community know we’re a one-stop shop.”

What are the key challenges facing your business or industry: “The constant price hikes from the tire manufacturers. It’s very tough because Fort Wayne is a very competitive town. You take a hit if your competitors don’t raise their prices,” he said. Also, constant changes in the automotive industry require the company to keep retraining staff and investing in new equipment.

What is your strategy for staying ahead of your competition: “Our strategy is we expect all of our workers to have a smile on their face and wow every customer that comes through the door,” Knicely said. He wants customers to think of getting auto work as a fun experience, where they can wait on couches in a “cozy atmosphere.”

What resources have you found most helpful in running a business: The company’s distributors help with knowledge and training. And employees bring diverse knowledge to the business, including the owners’ 40 combined years of experience.

Also, a partnership with the YMCA has brought more customers to Patriot Tire. The auto company gives customers a free ride to the YMCA so they can work out while their cars get worked on. The YMCA invites Patriot Tire to provide free tire-quality checks for customers.

What are your growth projections for the next five years: Knicely would like to expand to six locations in the next five years. The company’s fourth location is in the works on Illinois Road.

What is one thing about your business that people might not be aware of: “That we are locally owned. When you come to one of our shops, it looks like we have a lot of backing,” but the company is independent, Knicely said. Also, the community might not realize the business is open seven days a week.

If you weren’t running this business, what would you be doing: “I would probably either be working in a motorcycle shop or working in health and fitness,” Knicely said. “I like to work out.”