We were lucky to catch up with Spencer Sr. Young recently and have shared our conversation below.

Spencer Sr., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.

Almost twenty years ago, our business reached a point of success where we knew that we’d developed a responsibility to give back. We started out by engaging our executives and their families in small, philanthropic initiatives. In 2007, we established the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation — a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit designed to provide for children in need across our community.

Since then, Young Caring for Our Young has provided over $6.5 million to various school foundations and nonprofits, and now hosts more than 50 philanthropic events each year. Along with donations from partners and other companies, each dealership dedicates at least $10,000 to the foundation, though many contribute more.

What drives our efforts to provide for youth is a knowledge that success starts in the home. We operate on the belief that all children are entitled to the resources needed for crafting a bright future. That’s why Young Caring for Our Young has four areas of focus: clothing, hunger, literacy and teen homelessness.

Each of our initiatives are tied to these focuses, including our most impactful program: the KIND Fund.

Established in 2022, the KIND Fund has educators identify children in their classroom who could benefit from receiving new clothing. After an application is submitted, a volunteer is provided with a $150 gift card to shop for the student. Once they’ve purchased the items, the volunteer delivers the clothes back to the school, where the educator can take them to the child.

We’ve provided for nearly 5,000 children since the program’s inception, and are bringing the KIND Fund to more areas each day. We’re thrilled by its success, and grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to give back to our incredible communities.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been a part of the automotive industry and my family business for over 50 years. During that time, I’ve taken entry-level roles, worked in every department of a dealership, developed into leadership positions and overseen the direction of our company. Today, I serve as a co-chairperson and Chief Adventure Officer.

The Young Automotive Group was established in 1924 by my grandfather, Jack Olsen. He was a mechanic who traveled to the small town of Morgan, Utah, and became a partner at a service shop. Eventually, he bought the business and turned it into a dealership. Today, the company that he founded has 30 franchises across three states, and employs nearly 1,800 individuals.

Throughout our tenure, we’ve been able to develop winning processes and strategies, as well as stay at the forefront of innovations within our industry. Few other dealership groups throughout the country carry an inventory like ours, house as many operations as we do and provide as much value as us. It’s why for the last two years, we’ve been ranked in Automotive News’ Top 150 Dealership Groups list, and received numerous accolades.

That said, what I’m most proud of in our business is our legacy. Throughout 2024, we’ve celebrated our 100 year anniversary. It’s a feat that very few are able to accomplish, and I’m confident that our best days are ahead of us. I’m amazed by how my children and loved ones have taken this business to new places, and developed into individuals with a unique and powerful acumen.

A massive piece of our legacy is also tied to how we give back. We understand that as a successful and established business, we have a responsibility to take care of the communities that have helped us develop into what we are today. Our nonprofit, the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation, has provided over $6.5 million to various school foundations and other charitable organizations, and they hold over 50 philanthropic events each year.

When people engage with our brand, we want them to know that we’re dedicated to upholding high standards, and that we’re here to take care of them.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The 2008 financial crisis was an incredibly difficult time in the vehicle sales industry. General Motors had declared bankruptcy, and dealerships were regularly being forced to close their doors. There were times where I would see mail trucks pull up to our flagship location, and I expected to receive a letter telling us to close shop.

My grandfather — who founded our company — once wrote in his journal about doing business during the Great Depression. He said that everyone was broke, and that if he knew better, he was probably broke too, but he kept going. I utilized that mindset throughout that time, and it’s what stopped me from looking for alternatives, or the easiest way to close our business. I knew there was only one direction to move: forward.

It was fighting through this crisis where I was forced to rely on the strength of my employees and other executives. Together, we empowered each other, made decisions that we needed to and ultimately came away unscathed.

Once the economy had settled, I made it a top priority for the Young Automotive Group to expand. I wanted to make sure our portfolio was diverse enough to ensure that no crisis would threaten our business like that again. This effort of expansion also helped us keep talent — as opportunities for promotion were always opening.

For me, a great element of leadership is an ability to look forward and spot opportunities. If something’s worth fighting for, an individual or team with incredible acumen and grit can accomplish anything.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

We’re very proud of our roots as a family business. It’s a dynamic that’s allowed us to pass down values from one generation to the next, and that’s what’s helped us deliver an exceptional customer experience for over 100 years.

When my grandfather founded our business, he was dedicated to more than just the bottom line. He was a community leader and advocate, and he built a company that people knew they could depend on. The core values we’ve set in place are characteristics that he exemplified throughout his life.

Whenever a company expands at the scale ours has, some individuals will look and say that they’re buying up the last of the little guys. We never want an acquisition to create more barriers than opportunities for the people involved. We’re dedicated to creating healthy work environments, providing incredible value to our customers and giving back to our community. Our operation will continue to expand, and as we do, we promise to never forget what made us successful. That’s what we want every person who engages with our business to know.

At the Young Automotive Group, we know that true success is given to companies who can operate on a series of principles. It’s something we look for any time we partner with another organization, because those are what create successful, quality businesses.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youngautomotive.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngautomotivegroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngautomotivegroup
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@youngautomotive
• Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@youngautomotivegroup

Image Credits

All images are credited to Oz Marketing.