Tom Gattuso is the Vice President of Events for SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association. With more than three decades of experience in the automotive events industry, Tom has overseen the growth of the SEMA Show into one of the largest and most influential trade shows in the world, drawing more than 160,000 attendees from 145 countries. His career began in auto shows and consumer events before joining SEMA in 2011, where he has continued to build a global marketplace that connects manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and enthusiasts under one roof.

In this episode…

The SEMA Show has long been a bucket-list event in the automotive world… But what makes it so important for tire dealers today? With so many industry events competing for attention, why should dealers prioritize SEMA 2025?

According to Tom Gattuso, the answer lies in more than just product displays. He explains that SEMA is about conversations, connections, and opportunities that can transform a business. Tire dealers will find everything from tier 2 and tier 3 brands offering high-quality products, to the latest tools, equipment, and ADAS technologies that are driving revenue growth for shops across the country. Beyond that, SEMA provides education, training, and access to innovations that help shops stay competitive in an evolving market.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge sits down with Tom Gattuso for a conversation about why tire dealers should attend SEMA 2025. They explore the value of networking at an event that draws attendees from around the globe, the ways SEMA is expanding beyond wheels and tires into service innovations and restyling opportunities, and how the show continues to evolve while staying true to its mission. Tom also shares his personal mantra about kindness, the role of art and design in shaping the event’s identity, and a book recommendation that emphasizes authentic fan experiences.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[01:02] Tom Gattuso’s background and how he entered the automotive event industry

[04:18] The career path that led him to join SEMA in 2011

[06:42] Why the tire industry’s engagement at SEMA has shifted in recent years

[09:09] What tire dealers can discover beyond wheels and tires at the show

[12:27] Opportunities in tools, equipment, and ADAS technology for shop owners

[15:15] Restyling, service innovations, and new revenue streams showcased at SEMA

[17:48] How registration works and who can attend the show in 2025

[20:24] Tom’s guiding mantra: being kind to yourself, others, and the process

[23:02] How artists like Chip Foose and Larry Chen shape SEMA’s creative identity

[25:20] A favorite book recommendation and lessons from the Savannah Bananas story

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Tom Gattuso LinkedIn
• SEMA Registration and Event Details
• SEMA Website
• Tread Partners
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast Website
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments:

• “As long as we can get people to connect and talk, we win.”
• “If you focus only on business, you’re focused on the wrong thing. The conversations are where it starts.”
• “Be kind to yourself, be kind to others, and be kind to the process.”
• “SEMA reflects the industry back onto itself; it’s about innovation, education, and connection.”

Action Steps:

1. Reconsider SEMA as more than just a trade show. It’s a global marketplace and education hub.
2. Explore revenue opportunities outside of tires, such as tools, ADAS, and restyling.
3. Focus on conversations first: authentic connections drive long-term business growth.
4. Register early for SEMA 2025 to secure access to the full range of events, demos, and learning sessions.
5. Take inspiration from Tom’s mantra and remember that how you make people feel is what drives lasting impact.

Josh Parnell is the founder of Limitless Leadership, LLC, and a former Director of Service Development at Christian Brothers Automotive. With a background that spans military service, leadership training, and years of building industry-leading programs, Josh brings a unique perspective on people-first leadership in the auto repair world. His mission today is simple: help shop owners create engaged, motivated teams that drive performance and growth.

In this episode…

77% of your employees are probably disengaged. That number is alarming, but it’s also the reality many shop owners face. So what can leaders do to turn burnout into buy-in? Mike Edge sits down with Josh Parnell to talk about how to motivate auto repair teams and reignite energy inside the shop.

Josh explains why so many employees feel unseen and undervalued, and how small but consistent actions from leaders can create lasting engagement. From one-on-one check-ins and daily huddles to simple recognition and feedback, he shares the practical tools that build safety, trust, and connection: the foundations of a team that buys in. He also highlights the cost of poor communication and why investing in your people ultimately leads to better sales, service, and shop performance.

This episode is about more than theory. It’s a roadmap for shop owners who want to stop losing money to disengagement and start building stronger, more resilient teams. If you’ve been wondering how to motivate auto repair teams and keep your staff inspired, this conversation is the wake-up call you’ve been waiting for.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[01:09] Josh Parnell’s background and how he entered the auto repair industry

[04:43] Life as military police in North Dakota and lessons learned from service

[07:28] What Josh considers the number one priority for shop teams

[08:52] Why focusing on relationships before transactions changes everything

[10:49] Creating safety and trust to unlock clarity and buy-in

[11:28] What “disengaged employees” really means inside the shop

[13:09] The power of one-on-ones, huddles, and toolbox talks

[16:11] How poor communication can cost shop owners thousands

[24:00] Josh’s passion project: building the Bearded Brotherhood brand

[26:57] Why growth and comfort can’t coexist for leaders and teams

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Josh Parnell on LinkedIn
• Limitless Leadership Website
• The Bearded Brotherhood Website
• 2024 State of Business Communication Report
• Tread Partners
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast Website
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments:

• “70% of employees are disengaged at work because they don’t feel seen, heard, or valued.”
• “People plus process equals profit, but people come first.”
• “Focus on the relationship before the transaction; sales are a byproduct of exceptional service.”
• “Growth and comfort can’t coexist, if you’re comfortable, you’re not growing.”
• “Knowledge without action is just information.”

Action Steps:

1. Make time for one-on-ones, huddles, and toolbox talks to strengthen team connection.
2. Focus on relationships first, performance follows engagement.
3. Recognize and value employees consistently to reduce disengagement.
4. Improve communication habits to avoid the high cost of misalignment.
5. Challenge comfort zones – growth only happens when you step beyond them.

Kamard Johnson is the President & CEO of GTT Commercial Tires, based in Richmond, Virginia. With a professional background rooted in sales and customer service, Kamard joined forces with his brother to build a company that started with seven used tires in a shed and grew into a multi-location operation recognized on the Inc. 5000 list three years in a row. His story highlights both the opportunities and the hard lessons that come with ambition, leadership, and scaling too quickly in the tire industry.

In this episode…

Success to outsiders can look like growing or scaling your business at a fast rate. But when is fast too fast? Does it take a toll on your business? In this conversation, Kamard Johnson explores the realities behind tire business growth challenges and what happens when ambition outruns preparation.

Kamard shares his candid journey of rapid expansion, earning national recognition while battling the hidden costs of fast growth. From strained operations to financial pressure and even selling into unprofitability, he reveals the lessons that reshaped his approach. These tire business growth challenges forced him to step out of sales and into a true leadership role, focusing on systems, processes, and long-term strategy.

What we loved about this conversation with Kamard is how real he was about the struggles behind the growth. He didn’t just talk about the wins but he also opened up about the mistakes, the financial pressure, and the lessons that forced him to grow as a leader. Hearing him explain how self-awareness and putting people first shaped his journey gave us a lot to think about, and we think it will hit home for anyone facing tire business growth challenges or pushing their business forward faster than it was ready for.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[02:09] The meaning behind GTT Commercial Tires

[02:18] Kamard’s upbringing and how his mother and brother shaped his path

[05:34] How his mother persuaded him to join the family business

[07:01] Working side by side with his brother and defining their roles

[11:46] Why Kamard sees himself as more of an architect than a builder

[16:42] Expanding to three locations and the strategy behind it

[17:27] Lessons learned from pursuing aggressive growth

[19:44] How Kamard adjusted his leadership style after growing too fast

[21:57] Discovering the risks of selling into unprofitability

[24:59] The mantra from his mother that guides Kamard’s leadership

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Kamard Johnson’s Website
• GTT Commercial Tires Website
• Tread Partners
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast Website
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments:

• “These hands have never changed a tire in my life.”
• “Growth magnifies not just the things you do well, but also the things you don’t do so well.”
• “You can actually sell yourself into being unprofitable.”
• “You take care of the people who take care of you.”
• “The truest foundation of success is self-awareness.”

Action Steps:

1. Evaluate whether growth is exposing weaknesses in your operations before expanding further.
2. Focus on systems and processes that support sustainable growth, not just sales volume.
3. Step back from short-term wins to look at long-term leadership and financial health.
4. Remember the importance of self-awareness in leadership, know what you do best and where to delegate.
5. Embrace the lessons of tire business growth challenges as opportunities for building resilience and sustainable success.

Tony O’Billovich is the leader of the Master Shop Program for Point S Tire USA. With decades of experience running and growing multiple tire and auto repair locations, Tony has seen firsthand the challenges that overwhelm shop owners and the strategies that turn things around. His focus on profitability, leadership, and people development has helped shop owners across the country regain control of their businesses, their time, and their confidence.

In this episode…

What happens when everyday challenges in the tire and auto repair world start to feel overwhelming? According to Tony O’Billovich, the key to taking back control isn’t working harder, it’s learning to lead smarter.

From raising labor rates without fear to building systems that reduce stress, Tony shares practical lessons that help shop owners stop feeling like their business is running them. He explains how profitability isn’t something to feel guilty about, but a powerful tool to invest in employees, improve customer trust, and grow stronger teams.

The conversation also dives into the importance of leadership and delegation. By training staff and empowering them to take on responsibility, shop owners can step back from micromanaging and focus on growth. For many, this shift leads to working less, earning more, and building businesses that thrive long-term.

Finally, Tony highlights how community and collaboration play a role in success. Through Point S and its cooperative model, shop owners find mentorship, support, and the ability to grow while preserving the legacies they’ve worked so hard to build.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[02:04] How Tony entered the tire and auto repair industry and scaled multiple locations

[03:06] What Point S is and how its co-op model empowers independent shop owners

[05:18] The story of a daughter who took over her father’s shop and found success

[07:01] The biggest challenges Tony sees when walking into struggling stores

[08:27] Why shop owners hesitate to raise prices — and what really happens when they do

[11:26] How courtesy inspections improve customer trust and educate clients

[13:52] Why positioning as a one-stop shop makes life easier for both customers and owners

[15:33] What makes Point S unique as a brand and why members describe it as “family”

[17:41] How the “555” growth plan is shaping the future of Point S across the U.S.

[19:28] The new mentor program for shop owners and how it supports growth

[20:53] Tony’s coaching style and how he helps owners regain confidence

[22:20] Why delegating and training employees leads to working less and earning more

[24:30] Tony’s personal motto: “Polite, honest, direct” and why clarity matters in leadership

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Point S Tire Website
• Tread Partners
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast

Quotable Moments:

• “Profitability is a healthy thing, it allows you to reinvest in your people and your business.”
• “If you raise your labor rate, chances are customers won’t even notice but your business will thrive.”
• “Clarity is charity. Be polite, be honest, and be direct.”
• “When you grow your people, your life as a shop owner gets easier.”
• “The most successful shops aren’t run by micromanagers, they’re led by owners who trust and train their teams.”

Action Steps:

1. Reevaluate your pricing: Are you competitively priced in your market? Don’t avoid necessary adjustments out of fear.
2. Implement courtesy inspections: Use them to build trust, educate customers, and increase profitability.
3. Set clear expectations: Ensure every employee knows their responsibilities and has the tools to succeed.
4. Invest in your team: Train, delegate, and empower employees to take on more responsibility.
5. Find a support system: Explore cooperative models and mentorship opportunities to grow without losing your shop’s legacy.

Tyler Paparello is the Chief Operating Officer at AMG, overseeing 28 Midas locations across New England. With a background rooted in sales, Tyler learned early on that while selling can solve short-term problems, it takes leadership, people, and process to scale a business sustainably. Today, he focuses on building systems that empower employees, earn customer trust, and create long-term growth opportunities across the organization.

In this episode…

What happens when a company grows faster than one person can manage? For Tyler Paparello, it meant learning a lesson every leader eventually faces: you can’t sell your way out of every challenge. Leadership in business growth requires more than talent for closing deals; it’s about building teams, developing people, and creating processes that work at scale.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Tyler for a candid conversation about transitioning from sales-driven success to people-first leadership. Tyler shares how his early sales experience shaped the way he runs operations at 28 Midas shops, and why he believes employees are the foundation of long-term success. He also explains how customer trust, retention, and perception directly impact growth and why focusing on people, not profit, is the true path to sustainable business leadership.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[01:27] Tyler’s career background and how he got started at Midas

[02:47] The mantra that guides his leadership philosophy

[04:04] How digital vehicle inspections (DVIs) influence customer trust and sales

[05:21] Why storytelling makes DVIs more effective in customer communication

[08:03] Why the auto repair industry struggles with customer trust

[09:48] Using Net Promoter Score (NPS) to capture authentic customer feedback

[13:09] Tyler’s transition from sales to leadership as AMG scaled

[15:08] The impact of tariffs on pricing and operations

[18:35] A sales story that shows the power of honesty in business

[21:36] Tyler’s love for New Haven pizza — and why he calls it the best in the country

[25:33] Future growth plans for AMG and the career opportunities they create

[27:47] Why promoting from within drives retention and strengthens leadership culture

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Tyler Paparello on LinkedIn
• Midas’ Website
• Tread Partners
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Gain Traction Podcast on YouTube
• Gain Traction Podcast

Quotable Moments:

• “You can’t sell your way out of 20 stores’ problems, you have to lead.”
• “It always comes back to people. Employees and customers are the foundation of success.”
• “Perception is reality: How you present pricing matters as much as the price itself.”
• “Processes and systems create consistency, and consistency builds trust.”
• “Leadership in business growth starts with investing in your team, not chasing profit.”

Action Steps:

1. Invest in people, not just sales results: Focus on developing employees and promoting from within to build loyalty and leadership.
2. Leverage digital tools like DVIs and NPS: Use technology to strengthen trust, gather feedback, and improve customer experience.
3. Rethink how you handle pricing: Present costs with confidence to reinforce value rather than apologizing for them.
4. Build systems that scale: Processes, not one-off fixes, drive sustainable growth.
5. Keep people at the center: Customers and employees must remain the priority, profit follows when people are cared for.

Christian Seem is the President & CEO of Good Turn Tire & Auto, a rapidly growing tire and auto repair company with 55 locations and 16 brands across five states. With nearly 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, Christian has worked in big box retail, commercial parts distribution, and tire retail, including leadership roles at TBC Corporation. Since joining Good Turn in 2023, he has led aggressive expansion while preserving the local brand names, cultures, and community trust that give each store its value. His leadership philosophy focuses on building strong teams, protecting brand equity, and scaling with integrity, essential qualities for any tire dealer or auto repair shop owner aiming for sustainable growth.

Scaling a tire brand is no easy feat especially if your goal is to protect decades of customer loyalty, brand equity, and community relationships. How do you grow without erasing what made the business successful in the first place?

In this episode of the Gain Traction Podcast, Christian Seem shares the strategies Good Turn Tire & Auto uses to expand while keeping each store’s unique name, culture, and customer connection intact.

From standardizing point-of-sale systems, vendor relationships, and key performance indicators to creating a unified marketing approach, Christian outlines the operational backbone needed to scale effectively in the tire and auto repair industry. But beyond systems, he emphasizes a truth every shop owner should remember: "People are the foundation of any successful expansion."

He also shares Good Turn’s “high speed, low drag” integration process, which ensures smooth transitions during acquisitions, supports employees, and safeguards the trust customers have in their local shop.

If you’re looking for a proven blueprint for tire dealer growth strategies that balance expansion with brand preservation, this conversation delivers valuable insights you can apply to your own business.

[02:05] Christian’s background and entry into the automotive industry

[04:16] From 49th to 26th in the top 100 independent tire dealers

[05:20] Good Turn’s acquisition approach for independent tire dealers

[07:55] Why preserving local brand names beats rebranding

[08:39] How scaling boosts buying power for tire and auto repair shops

[09:19] Traits of high-performing shops Good Turn seeks out

[12:31] Protecting an owner’s legacy during an acquisition

[14:08] How sellers can connect with Good Turn Tire & Auto

[15:40] Christian’s leadership mantras for growth and success

[18:49] When owners sell but remain actively involved

[20:10] The significance of Christian’s favorite movie, Braveheart

[23:44] “High speed, low drag” integration philosophy explained

[23:59] Christian’s bucket list and future aspirations

• Goodturn Tire & Auto
• Christian Seem on LinkedIn
• Contact Goodturn Tire & Auto
• Gain Traction Podcast Episode #143: The Art of Scaling Integrity in the Tire Business With Seth Sands of Goodturn Tire & Auto
• Tread Partners
• Gain Traction Podcast
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn

• “As long as we’re doing the right thing, the results will follow.”
• “The name on the sign matters, customers recognize it, and employees are proud of it.”
• “People are the foundation of any successful expansion.”
• “High speed, low drag; get through integrations quickly and with minimal disruption.”
• “We respect what came before us. Our job is to make it stronger, not erase it.”

1. Preserve local brand identity when expanding to maintain customer loyalty and community trust.
2. Standardize operational systems (POS, vendors, KPIs) for efficiency and scalability.
3. Evaluate team strength before acquisition to ensure a strong people foundation.
4. Invest in staff development to retain top talent and drive long-term success.
5. Adopt a streamlined integration process to minimize disruption and keep customer relationships intact.