Featured Evergreen Insider: Sam Glenn, Northshore Auto Gallery
Meet Sam Glenn and the Northshore Auto Gallery team. Jeremy had the opportunity to work with one of their staff members to close on a house this month, and could not be more excited to highlight them in this Featured Evergreen Insider segment.
What attracted you to this business?
I started working for a small well known luxury car boutique when I was 20. I fell in love with the atmosphere, the people, the culture, and mostly the car buying process. I started by assisting my mentor in buying cars from all around the country and was blessed enough to eventually own the Nashville store where my career began. I’d say during that time was really when I discovered by passion for finding and procuring cool cars for people.
What's the most significant change you have seen in or the business?
When I began, we used basic online tools for car evaluation and marketing. We never anticipated how much technology would revolutionize the industry. Now, sellers and auctions use third-party condition reports and online platforms to reach a global audience. I can simultaneously buy cars from luxury auctions in Texas, California, and Atlanta, and use online services for transportation. The internet has simplified pricing and buying, letting consumers shop nationwide without the old hassles and it really has enabled us to reach a wider customer base and sell cars to people who never even have to set foot in the dealership.
Does your business have a mission statement?
Yes- my partner, key team members, and I co-authored a mission statement that we feel embodies our core values. We hold that spiritual principles come before material success, and these values must permeate every aspect of our business and community interactions.
Is there a specific relationship that has been crucial to your success?
I've been fortunate to have a network of what my friends call "Eskimos" or divinely guided mentors and teachers. Without their support, none of this would have been possible.
Starting as a lot manager, my first mentor and boss in this industry gave me the chance to learn and grow in all areas of the business, shaping a relationship neither of us could have predicted. Similarly, a customer I met in my early twenties evolved into a friend, mentor, and eventually a business partner. God has allowed my life to intersect with so many awesome people.
What makes your business unique and how does it contribute to the vibrant culture of Chattanooga?
Our business is a luxury car boutique that offers a personalized relationship based car buying experience. Our space is like an art gallery for car enthusiasts and those simply wanting a to drive a fun ride without the hassles of traditional car buying. Chattanooga is a beautiful and eclectic city full of people who love cars. We not only sell luxury and exotic cars we sell luxury and utilitarian trucks and SUVs.
We aim to provide a fun, low pressure, unique alternative to the traditional auto dealership model.
Could you discuss a major challenge your business has encountered and your strategy to overcome it?
I think the industry as a whole continues to face challenges with ongoing supply chain disruptions and an ever-changing economic landscape, so we are immersed in the wholesale car market all over the country. We're small enough to adapt quickly and have a broad nationwide network to ensure we offer top-quality cars at good value to our customers.
What exciting plans or developments can Chattanooga residents look forward to from your business in the near future?
We are going to continue to allocate new resources to our Chattanooga location as we grow so that we can offer ever more exclusive inventory at the best possible prices in our market.
