Looking for a new challenge

Times Reporter     

  

After nearly 10 years of owning the local Ford dealership, Byron Smith is looking forward to a new chapter in his life.

Even though the auto industry is in his blood, the 54-year-old Smith sold his prized company to the Kaizen Automotive Group, effective Oct. 1. 

“I would say that it has been a very fruitful 25 years (in the automotive business) – it has been heart-warming,” said Smith. “It has allowed me to pursue goals and actions that have taken me to all seven continents, that have allowed me to embrace different cultures and geography.

“I’ve grown and gone on through different phases of my life in the automotive industry.”

On his way up in his career, including roles as a parts manager and general sales manager, Smith purchased his first dealership on Sept. 1, 1989 in Vulcan, before buying the local Ford dealership on Jan. 15, 2005.

It was a goal of his to own a dealership before he was 30 years old – and with a lot of hard work, he achieved that goal a year early.

“I’m most proud of the professionalism (at this dealership),” he said. “When a customer comes in here, they can really feel there is trust and a relationship that will matter to them. We take pride in how we handle their (needs).”

According to Smith, it was tough to make the decision to finally step aside.

“I was approached many, many times from people to purchase Strathmore’s (dealership) from me – in the last number of years alone, I’ve had at least 20 people calling me and every time I said no,” said Smith. “In the last year, I’ve had to take a really a hard look at it and recognize that half of my life has been in this business. 

“This is the best time to sell a Ford dealership – our product is amazing, we’ve done the renovation on the facility, we have a good reputation and we have a very good staff. I had to look at it pragmatically, I had to look at it long-term and understand this opportunity doesn’t come around everyday.”

With his business knowledge and being in a rare group that has climbed Mount Everest, Smith will now focus his time on his motivational speaking business. He also plans to write a book in the near future. He is looking forward to spending time with family and friends, particularly his son, Zach.

According to Smith, while it is tough to leave, he assures customers that they will remain in good hands as the staff assembled at the dealership is second-to-none. He is confident that the new ownership group will continue the successful tradition he helped create.

“I’m proud of our growth (as a business) in this community,” said Smith. “We take a lot of pride in giving back to the community of Strathmore and Wheatland County.”