Article by:
Chris Starrs
Craig Cappy grew up in the Motor City of Detroit and his father was employed in the auto industry, but he didn’t necessarily see vehicles in his future.
But here he is, celebrating 25 years of business at Mall of Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (and, since 2004, Kia Mall of Georgia) in Buford, grateful for the opportunity that brought him into the business and to the Deep South.
“I never dreamed I’d still be doing this in 25 years or still have a great group of people with me for years and years,” Cappy said. “I really feel lucky.”
Cappy had enjoyed a successful career with Hyatt Hotels before he and his brother Garth took the plunge to assume ownership of a dealership that had struggled during the past decade with five different owners (at least one of whom went bankrupt).
Prior to buying the “Chrysler Six Pack” — a Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, Eagle and Dodge trucks business — Cappy spent an extensive period of time working at a car dealership in Detroit to prepare for his big career move.
“When my dad asked me if I’d like to get involved in a car dealership, he told me I’d have to quit my job and work for another car dealer to learn how to be a dealer,” he said. “I ended up doing that and I started out as a writer, then I was a salesman, then I worked in parks, at the desk, I worked in accounting. I did that for two years and had to work three jobs because I couldn’t keep up with the bills.”
When asked how the auto industry is different from every other business, Cappy said, “It’s a real people business, probably more so than other businesses because it’s built off relationships you make with people in the community, and probably more importantly, the relationships you make the people who work with you. It starts there.
“You can say, ‘I own this,’ but when it gets right down to it, you’re making sure your team will work with you and understand what the common goal is. With a family business like this, you make sure your biggest asset is your employees. We’ve got quite a few 15-, 18-, 20-, 25-year employees. Success is based off that and your relationships in the community.”
Mall of Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Kia Mall of Georgia are bona fide family businesses as Cappy’s two sons, Colin and Dane, and his daughter, Lauren Livesay, are all part of the fabric. Cappy says he hopes one day they’ll take over the dealerships.
“They do know that I want to start slowing down,” he said. “I work six days a week and I told them my goal was to get down to four days a week. The kids are picking it up pretty good. There aren’t very many businesses like ours left anymore, family car dealerships, especially in this corridor. That’s what makes it interesting and that’s why we’ve done so well.” Read the full article here
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