We recently connected with Collin Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Collin , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

The education system does not sufficiently prepare youth today for the challenges of the real world. I believe it’s imperative for them to begin learning about trades- that not everyone is cut out for college, and that’s ok.
We should be teaching them about personal finances- how to create a budget, what a credit score is, and how to file taxes.
We should be showing them how to apply for jobs, build a resume, and proper interview etiquette.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started my career in the aviation industry, I was an aircraft mechanic and had a wonderful job that I loved; until they laid me off. Aviation is a small world, and in West Tennessee, it is even smaller. So I knew that in order to stay in the aviation industry it would mean traveling. I began working part time as a package handler for the Fed Ex hub in Memphis just so I would be able to bid internally on the aircraft maintenance position that I was seeking. I would spend three hours a day commuting back and forth to my four hour shift, for $12 an hour.
I knew I would have to supplement my income if I was going to keep pursuing aviation.
My hobby and passion from my childhood has always been atvs. Riding them, breaking them, accessorizing them, and fixing them. I began taking on small jobs from my home garage for my friends and neighbors.
As time passed, 14 months to be exact, I realized I was trying to open a door that God didn’t have opened for me, and it was time to make a decision.
I approached a long time friend, Dwain Carter, from the same off road background, and we decided to join forces and open a shop doing something we were passionate about; and Rev Powersports was born.

I still remember to this day how scary it was to take that first step, to bet on yourself. It’s not something to be taken lightly, but looking back it is the best decision I ever made.
We have grown our business tremendously over the past 7 years and the accomplishment I am most proud of would have to be that we are the number one dealer in the United States for our main brand, Segway Powersports.
We strive everyday to provide our customers with a level of service that is second to none. We want them to feel like family.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Dwain and I started this business with $800 (which covered our first month’s rent). We each put half into our first bank account and began ordering parts on my personal credit card. It is always humbling to remember how far we have come in our seven years.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I have always believed that as a leader of an organization, we are called to lead by example. The most effective leaders lead with integrity, discipline, and discernment. A high level of morale is critical in the daily operations of a successful business. From my experience, employees respond best in an environment that is conducive to personal growth and development.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.revpowersportstn.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RevPowersportsLLC
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@revpowersports

Image Credits

They are all my personal photos.