Read More of My Blog Posts
With a Little Help From My Friends
Ten years used to feel like a lifetime, these days it seems like the blink of an eye. (except for April 2020, it felt like a lifetime—but I digress.)
My ten-year ownership of Sport and Specialty has been equal parts fun, aggravation, gratification, and education. With all of this new awareness of the role of small business in the news today, it has really had me thinking about how much goes into making a small business successful. There are few mom-and-pop grocery stores and drug stores left, as most lost the struggle to compete against the chain stores and their corporate marketing, finance, IT and HR support.
In a previous life, I once had those resources available to help my corporate business compete and grow in the marketplace. As a small business owner you need to know how to advertise, budget, use technology and manage people, among other things, to simply keep the doors open. I soon learned that while I had some skills, many others either had to be learned, or sourced to others that are either smarter, or more talented than I am. No shame here.
Fortunately I have been blessed with some amazing and talented friends that have helped Sport and Specialty by providing an extremely professional look and feel that I certainly couldn’t have done alone.
Our internet and web presence had been provided by Bill Oakes, a long time racing partner and friend. His expertise and creativity are why our website looks so polished and professional. He and I collaborated in designing the site some years ago, but Bill has been the point-man in keeping it fresh and technically up-to-date. Something many small businesses fail to do once their sites are launched.
My other friend that brings unique talent and professionalism to our party is Mark Atkinson. Mark is another racing friend and my one time driving student who is a graphic artist living in the Minneapolis area. Mark designed the Sport and Specialty logo, as well as manages all of our ad work. He too keeps things fresh, bright and looking polished.
While I’m calling out these two guys, I would be remiss in not mentioning that virtually everyone I know has contributed something to my small business. Heartfelt thanks to my work family and team, my wife and family, the many Facebook supporters, and my industry peers, all too many to name here.
So thanks to all of you for providing the motivation, guidance and emotional support to keep the wheels moving ever forward at Sport and Specialty. Our growth and success as a small business is certainly not all my doing, I got a lot of help from my great friends.
Read More of My Blog Posts
When you drop off your Healey and your other car isn’t a car
Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance
Yesterday's results. People's choice 1951 Dodge. Founders Award 1952 A6G Maserati. Best in Show 1914 Stutz Bearcat!! Beautiful Car! Read More of My Blog Posts
Updates In the Shop – July
Some new pics and updates of some of the work we have in the shop at the moment. Give a call at (815) 629-2717 and set up a time to stop by to see what's new! More Blog Posts
Public Service Announcement – Now’s the Time!
Hey, wake up! We’re here now! We’ve arrived! It’s 2016 and all of those car projects you were going to do this winter aren’t done. You know it and I know it. Why do I know it? Because my stuff isn’t done either! Every fall I make a huge list of improvements and...
Arizona Auto Auction Week – The Wrap Up
The shock to my system has worn off already as I acclimate to the cold back on the tundra. I want to write down some thoughts about my trip to the AZ auctions this year for those of you who watch them. Understand, I am no “old hand’ at the AZ auction...
Arizona Auto Auction Week – Chasing Classic Andy Reid
I attended my first Auction Preview a few years ago here in Scottsdale when our Austin Healey 100R was at Bonham’s. Normally I’m not much of a guided tour kind of guy so I figured I would just walk around with the catalogue and do my own research. But then...
Arizona Auto Auction Week – Judging the Future Classics
My friend Andy Reid was asked to be the chief judge for a new car show here in Arizona to compliment the already crazy week of activities. The show was titled “Future Classics” and the main sponsor was www.classiccars.com, where Andy is their East Coast...
Arizona Auto Auction Week – Let’s Get Started!
Let's get this week going!! Arizona Concours d’Elegance today at the lovely Biltmore. What a great backdrop for the fine cars shown. I'll be posting more pictures this week as I check out the auctions, beautiful weather, and car values. Stay tuned!...
Arizona Auto Auction Action – More Than Just Barrett Jackson
Back in 2014 I made my first trek west to Arizona Auction Week here in Scottsdale. It was so successful, and I had so much fun, that it is now an automatic repeating event on my January calendar. Aside from the fact that the weather in Illinois is...
Guest Blog: Peter Conover’s Road to Restorations
I first became interested in the restoration British cars about 20 years ago when an acquaintance agreed to sell me his long-dormant Triumph TR-6. For that learning experience I did a basic mechanical and cosmetic restoration. It wasn’t a “ground up”...
Roadog DNA at Sport and Specialty
Turns out that some years ago Mark Baker (former S&S owner) rebuilt a BMC A series motor and Austin America automatic transmission for a custom motorcycle. I went to look at it for some work last weekend. It turns out it was for an Auto Four, one of...
Two Guys and a Blog – Another Successful Shop Visit
These two unabashed car guys, Bob Kendall and Larry Noble, came out to the shop yesterday for their annual pilgrimage and quality inspection. Bob posted some musings on his blog; http://pilotesanciens.blogspot.com/ Take a quick peek at some of the work we...
Vintage Sports Car Club Luncheon
I went to a great luncheon on Tuesday at D & J Bistro in Lake Zurich with a group of Vintage Sports Car Club members and friends. Food and company was great, and it's guaranteed that unique and fun cars will show up too. Here's a few and one of...