Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Petty.
Don, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started in the tire industry in 1978 in Los Angeles area working for a big chain store changing tires while working alongside two of my three brothers, one a mechanic and the other in sales. I took a short break from tires from about 1979 to 1981 in Glendale at a Porsche/Audi dealership as a lot attendant, then finding my way into new car sales. That was a period when interest rates were extremely high so sales were tough. I decided to go back into tires by returning to my previous employer. With my car sales experience, I went straight into sales, then into management. Soon after, I went to work for another company that offered more services to commercial, wholesale and new car dealerships. I managed that company of 30+ employees as well.
Custom wheels, also referred to as rims, were becoming quite popular, and I became more interested in this type of work/sales. So in 1987, just after our 1st daughter was born, I went to work as an outside sales rep for a company that specialized in working primarily with new car dealerships providing chrome plated OEM and aftermarket wheels. That also allowed me to be home on weekends to spend time with my family. I loved this type of work, being around new cars all the time, and I was quite successful at it.
In 1990, my wife Andrea and I, along with our two young daughters Jenna and Brooke, moved to Oceanside to be closer to her parents and for me to work for another wheel and tire company first as a manager, then as a sales representative calling on and developing new dealership accounts.
In 1993, we decided that it was a good time to open our own company to offer the kind of niche services we felt could greatly benefit our clients. We installed tire changing equipment in our garage, bought a small truck, and I hit the road knocking on as many car dealership doors and I could to build our American dream of owning our own business. My wife went back to work to support us financially while I built up our business. I worked at night putting wheels and tires together in our garage, then delivered and installed them at car dealers by day. Our type of service was new to San Diego, so business took off. We hired one employee that worked with us from our house after flying solo for almost 2 years.
In 1996 we outgrew our house and storage units (where we kept our inventory), and opened our first shop. By that time Andrea was able to leave her job and join the day to day operations from answering the phones to taking care of the accounting needs during the time our girls were in school.
After 26 years in business we are still going strong with many of the same clients we started with. Additionally we provide tires, wheels, repairs and refinishing of wheels at the retail level. We have had great employees over the years that have moved on and great employees that are still with us.
I have been married for 36 years to a wonderful, supportive wife that is still working in our daily operations. We have been blessed with four adorable grandsons, and all of them all live locally, For this, we are so thankful and grateful to God for all of it.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think every business has its struggles, whether small or large. Finding great employees that best represent our company to becoming so busy that it is challenging to handle the needs of each client. We like each client to feel as if they are they are the most important to us. We have had our ups and downs but by the grace of God have always made our way through it.
Please tell us about your business.
We are a family owned business that has been supplying quality wheels, tires and repairs since 1993. We proudly service new car dealerships as well as automotive repair shops and the general public. Although we are tucked away in an industrial complex, because of our long history with many wheel and tire manufactures, we can provide our clients with great savings like the big box stores in a smaller quieter environment. We also offer the best Nationwide Tire protection plan in the industry. With a nice comfortable waiting room, you can relax while we professionally install a nice new set of custom wheels or tires on your car. Whether it’s a daily driver or a classic sports car, light truck or SUV, we treat every car with the same care.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love our beaches and our sunsets, They are spectacular! When we first moved here in 1990, traffic was very light in comparison to L.A. I’m not wild about all the traffic here now that is my least favorite thing. However, that does mean more cars that need tires!
Contact Info:
- Address: San Diego Motoring Accessories, Inc.
4040 Calle Platino #108
Oceanside CA 92056 - Website: www.sdmotoring.com
- Phone: 7607577362
- Email: don@sdmotoring.com
- Instagram: sandiegomotoring
- Facebook: San Diego Motoring Accessories, Inc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/san-diego-motoring-accessories-oceanside-3
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