Champ RawlsAll Articles
Don’t Fear the 2024 Election! 5 Proven Growth Tactics for Family Business Owners
As a family or privately held business owner, the uncertainty surrounding the 2024 election presents both risks and opportunities. The political outcome will likely influence tax policies, regulations, and economic conditions that could impact your business’s growth, profitability, and succession planning. Rather than waiting to see what happens, now is the time to proactively plan for multiple scenarios to protect your business’s future and capitalize on potential opportunities, no matter the outcome. Whether you’re concerned about changes in estate taxes, tariffs, or broader economic policies, strategic planning for your business is crucial. By developing growth and succession strategies that [...]
Auto Retail Business Succession: Insights from the Full Throttle Podcast
For those in the auto retail business, succession planning is not something to overlook. Champ Rawls, Partner and Succession Planner at The Rawls Group, shed some light on this topic during his recent appearance on The Presidio Group’s Full Throttle Podcast with Jason Stein. The State of the Industry The automotive industry has faced significant ups and downs, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. While 2021 and 2022 were strong years, 2023 introduced new challenges. Resilience and a long-term perspective are crucial to navigating these fluctuations. Strategic succession planning helps companies manage transitions effectively and emerge [...]
What Makes Some Family Dealerships Win Big Against Corporate Giants?
Are family-owned auto dealerships destined to fade in the shadow of giant retail chains, or can they harness their unique heritage to outpace the competition? Champ Rawls, a business succession planner at The Rawls Group, emphasizes the delicate balance between maintaining a local, family-owned appeal while integrating the structured practices typical of larger dealerships and public companies. Emphasizing Family Business Roots Rawls advises that leveraging the dealership's identity as a local, family-oriented business can significantly benefit customer perception and loyalty. He suggests that dealerships should not only preserve but emphasize their family-business roots throughout their operations. The Shift Towards [...]
Roadblocks to Green Lights: Tackling 5 Biggest Hurdles for Family-Owned Car Dealerships
In the fast-paced realm of the automotive industry, turning obstacles into green lights is the key to securing the future of your family-owned dealership—it's no cakewalk, more like a thrilling rollercoaster ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. Strategic succession planning is the name of the game, and as a savvy car dealer, mastering it requires more than just fancy footwork; you need to be in the know and play it smart. This guide is your backstage pass, delivering real-deal insights from industry heavyweights like George Karolis from The Presidio Group and our family business and succession planning expert, [...]
Navigating Succession Planning: A Journey of Innovation and Leadership
Join us as Joe Jankowski, the Managing Member of Armatus Dealer Uplift, shares his inspiring journey of founding Armatus Dealer Uplift. Joe's story began with his experiences as CFO and CEO of an automotive group, where he faced numerous challenges, including navigating the termination of GM and Chrysler franchises in 2009. However, it was this pivotal moment that led Joe to establish Armatus Dealer Uplift. Facing Challenges: Discover how Joe navigated the complexities of the automotive industry, including the turbulent times marked by the termination of GM and Chrysler franchises in 2009. Despite these challenges, [...]
Beyond Generations: A Blueprint for Family Business Succession Success
In this enlightening video, Joe Jankowski, Managing Member of Armatus Dealer Uplift, shares his journey and the profound impact a holistic approach to succession planning has had on his family business, relationships, and overall business trajectory. Key Insights: Discover the secrets behind Joe's success story as he delves into the strategic tools provided by The Rawls Group. Learn how these tools empowered Joe's son, the current COO, facilitating a seamless transition of leadership while preserving family harmony—a unique challenge by having one son inside the business and another outside. Real-Life Experiences & Expert Guidance: This [...]
