Congratulations to 2 J’s Auto Sales - 2007 Success Award Winners

          Entrepreneur Jace Green addresses group in Phoenix

Jace Green grew up “starting small businesses”.  As a child, he played entrepreneur, opening numerous “restaurants” and “stores” in his basement.  Upon graduating from high school, he thought of nothing but opening a “real” business.  He and his brother-in-law, JR Stratton, found that the glass market had great profit margins, so they formed a partnership and opened an auto glass installation and repair business in the Spring of 1999.  With a $5,000 loan from Mr. Stratton’s brother, the two opened their doors, doing auto glass installation and repair out of an old ’88 Bronco.  The business did well for quite some time but as insurance reimbursements for window repair plummeted, they had to look for new revenue streams.  It was then that two of the company salesmen began pestering Green to put a couple of used cars on the lot to try to sell.  What a hit!  The cars sold quickly and from there 2 J’s Auto Sales blossomed. 

 In seven years, 2 J’s Auto Sales has experienced grand changes: from purely auto glass installation and repair to primarily car sales, from $450,000 of revenue in their first full year of business to over $5.5 million in 2006, and from 2 employees to 13.  The ownership has even changed.  In 2004, Jace Green bought out his brother-in-law, and about a year later, his father, Gordon Green, bought in as 50% owner.  Perhaps most exciting is the outgrowth of two additional companies: Deco Financial Services, a finance company that supports the car business, and We Nail It Construction, a general contracting company.  

One of the most difficult obstacles for 2 J’s Auto Sales has been finding employees that are trustworthy, do a good job, represent the company well and are concerned about not just themselves but the company. 

Whether hard times or good, Jace loves the excitement of entrepreneurship.  He believes entrepreneurship is a way of life, a way someone is built.  Yet he knows in his soul that every entrepreneur needs help.  He found his help at the Northland Pioneer College SBDC.  When he opened his business, he signed up for a business class at NPC.  Through that class, Mark Engle, an SBDC counselor, was sent out to meet with him.  According to Jace, “The SBDC helped me understand the important things about running a business – financials, P&L’s, balance sheets and income statements.  I learned how to put them together, read and understand them and set financial goals.”  If Jace were to give advice to other entrepreneurs it would be to “Take some business classes.  Contact the SBDC.  Get as much help from them as you can.”

How did SBDC consulting make a difference?

“The SBDC helped me understand the important things about running a business – financials, P&L’s, balance sheets and income statements.  I learned how to put them together, read and understand them and set financial goals.” 

What advice would you offer a nascent entrepreneur?

“Take some business classes.  Contact the SBDC.  Get as much help from them as you can.  Get a good CPA and a good lawyer.”

What is the secret of success?

“Whatever it takes to make the customer happy.”