Huntsville Business Journal Sit Down with Success: Matt Meyer of Hiley Auto Group
As managing partner at Hiley Auto Group in Huntsville, Matt Meyer has seen firsthand what it takes to grow a business, build a strong team, and adapt as an industry evolves.
From taking a multimillion-dollar gamble on a new location to embracing new technology and changing customer expectations, Meyer has learned that long-term success often comes down to patience, hard work, and a willingness to take calculated risks.
In this edition of Sit Down with Success, Meyer shares his approach to creating a positive workplace culture, the lessons he has learned through years in the automotive business, and his advice for entrepreneurs who are looking to build something that lasts.
In your opinion, what separates a good business from a great one?
I have a simple philosophy: if my employees love coming to work, then we’ll have customers who enjoy doing business with us. So, that’s what we focus on: our employees’ retention, happiness, and well-being. We know that if we have outstanding employees, we’ll deliver great customer service and grow our business.
What advice would you give other business owners looking to create that same kind of positive employee culture?
It always starts at the top. Whoever owns or leads the business has to set a positive tone every day. Then, it needs to circulate down throughout the business. Empowering everyone who works for you and allowing them to make decisions or take on difficult tasks is very important.
We always want to do the right thing and take care of people. My employees know that if they have to make a difficult decision that ultimately takes care of the customer, I’m going to support them.
Looking back, what’s one major business risk that ultimately paid off?
I think it was the risk early on when we had only been out here a couple of years, and we were buying this property, knowing that we were going to invest $20 to $30 million in facilities and moving up the road, where at the time, no dealerships were, kind of by ourselves. At that point, everyone thought you needed to be down the road by other dealerships.
It was a risk and a gamble that we questioned ourselves on, but at the end of the day, it turned out to be a great thing.
In an age when people can shop for cars almost entirely online, what still makes a dealership experience valuable?
I truly believe we are in the people business. Whether it’s shopping for a car online or just needing your car serviced, people want to deal with people.
The internet has been great for both consumers and us as dealers. It allows consumers to learn and be educated, which makes our job somewhat easier. But at the end of the day, people want to deal with people, and they want to drive a car.
How do you prepare your business for changes in technology and customer expectations?
We’re involved with NADA (the National Automobile Dealers Association) in a group of 20 dealers across the country that meet several times a year to discuss best practices and ideas. We’re always leaning on the latest technology, the latest vendors, what other dealerships are doing, and just constantly looking at ways to improve our business through technology.
What advice would you give entrepreneurs trying to grow a small business into a larger organization?
My first piece of advice is to be patient. We live in a society where everyone wants everything instantaneously. There are businesses that just take off, but most businesses need time to grow.
One thing that has contributed to my success has been my willingness to put in the work; sometimes that means super long hours.
When you put that sweat equity in and work hard, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Eventually, you can get to a point where you have great people working for you, and you don’t have to work those long hours and be stressed all the time.
You’ll be able to enjoy your business while seeing it grow and develop.
How important is adaptability to long-term success in business?
If you’re not comfortable with change, if you’re not willing to adapt and do things that you’re not used to or comfortable with, then it’s going to be tough. Every business evolves, every industry evolves, and you have to change with it, or you will get left behind.
Business partners often have to navigate major investments, difficult decisions, and long-term planning together. What should someone look for when choosing the right partner?
First, make sure y’all get along and are compatible. Then, you also want someone that’s going to challenge you, that’s going to hold you accountable, pick you up when you’re down, or tell you you’re doing a great job.
It’s really important that, when you’re entering a partnership, everyone is on the same page and forward-thinking.
Sometimes we have to look years in advance to make certain decisions. You need to make sure you have someone who’s willing to look years ahead to make investments or tough decisions that will affect you down the road.
My business partner, Jason Hiley, has just been an awesome mentor, friend, and partner. He’s been super supportive and positive throughout my entire career.
You’ve made giving back to the Huntsville community a priority, particularly through your longtime support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama. Where did that commitment to serving others come from?
I would definitely give that one to my parents because they were always involved in the church or some type of charity. They had us volunteer and do community service from a young age. They instilled in me the importance of always trying to help others.
