We recently connected with Jay Grosman and have shared our conversation below.
Jay, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?
As a CEO of a service business with a fleet of vehicles, you may find yourself struggling to sell your fleet vehicles without losing a significant amount of money. Just like Gary Rottler, CEO of Rottler Pest Solutions, who was losing an average of $7900 per truck every time he sold one. He was selling his fleet vehicle trucks, previously sold through Enterprise leasing company, for $1500, and Enterprise would charge a $400 fee to Rottler Pest Solutions and sell the trucks to another company for $10,000.
But there’s a solution to this problem. iAutoAgent can help streamline the selling process for your fleet vehicles at no cost to you. They offered Gary $7000 per vehicle and took care of everything, from sending out an independent mechanical inspector to verify the condition of the vehicle, providing a mobile detailing service, and hiring a photographer and videographer to take beautiful photos and videos of his truck fleet without ever having to leave his business.
iAutoAgent listed Gary’s vehicles on over 500 different websites, provided him with a dedicated agent to answer phone calls from prospective clients, and even sent a car concierge to pick up the vehicle to show to the buyer at a police station. Once the buyer decided to purchase the vehicle, iAutoAgent took care of all the paperwork, and Gary simply received a check at the end of the sale.
You can benefit from iAutoAgent’s services just like Gary did. They were able to sell 14 vehicles for him in 2021 and 2022, which added $77,000 back to his bottom line. Furthermore, by avoiding the extra fees and countless hours it takes to sell a vehicle through Enterprise, as well as the costs of listing a vehicle, Gary walked away with an impressive $107,100 in total. iAutoAgent can provide you with the same convenient and profitable selling experience without you ever having to leave your business or put in any effort.
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.
Introduction: Jay Grosman, Founder and CEO of iAutoAgent®, is a seasoned expert in the automotive industry, renowned for his exceptional skills and extensive experience spanning over 26 years. With a track record of surpassing sales targets and earning clients’ trust, Jay has solidified his position as a leading figure in the field. Beyond his success as a top salesperson and automotive advisor on prominent media channels, Jay’s passion for the industry extends to his captivating podcast, The Auto Authorities. Now, as the driving force behind iAutoAgent®, Jay is reshaping the car buying and selling experience, prioritizing honesty, transparency, and customer satisfaction above all else.
Combining Passion and Expertise: Jay Grosman’s journey in the automotive industry began as an accomplished salesperson at a dealership, consistently outperforming his colleagues and earning the respect of his clients. His expertise also led to appearances as an Automotive Advisor on Fox2 and CBS 4, where he shared his wealth of knowledge, empowering viewers to make informed decisions about their car purchases. Furthermore, as the host of The Auto Authorities Podcast, Jay’s ability to simplify complex topics has garnered him a loyal following of automotive enthusiasts and professionals alike.
A Vision for a Better Experience: Driven by a desire to provide consumers with a superior car buying and selling experience, Jay made a pivotal decision to establish iAutoAgent®. Having witnessed the mistreatment and exploitation of consumers within the traditional dealership model, he sought to revolutionize the industry. This led to the creation of a unique automotive company that places honesty, transparency, and customer satisfaction at the forefront. Through iAutoAgent®, Jay is transforming the way people navigate the car market, offering a much-needed alternative to traditional dealership practices.
Catering to Businesses: Recognizing the value of time for business owners, Jay Grosman has expanded iAutoAgent® to offer tailored solutions for businesses. With the understanding that many business owners spend valuable time on non-revenue generating activities, iAutoAgent® has developed a comprehensive Done For You Fleet Management program. This program allows business owners to sell their vehicles with iAutoAgent, maximizing the return on their assets without incurring any costs. By entrusting the selling process to iAutoAgent®, business owners can focus their efforts on growing their businesses and engaging in revenue-generating activities.
Streamlined Vehicle Acquisition: In addition to the Done For You Fleet Management program, iAutoAgent® has introduced a division dedicated to assisting business owners in acquiring vehicles. This specialized service handles the arduous task of finding elusive new or pre-owned vehicles, negotiating with dealerships, and arranging for convenient vehicle transport to the business owner’s location. Alternatively, business owners have the option to personally pick up the vehicle. This streamlined approach eliminates the hassle and saves valuable time for busy entrepreneurs.
A Testament to Dedication: Jay Grosman’s commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of iAutoAgent®. As the visionary leader, he guides the company’s overall direction, surrounded by a team of dedicated professionals who share his passion for delivering outstanding service to customers. With a constant drive for growth and improvement, Jay’s dedication is a driving force behind iAutoAgent’s success.
Conclusion: Jay Grosman, Founder and CEO of iAutoAgent®, is a respected figure in the automotive industry. His extensive experience, combined with a commitment to honesty, transparency, and customer satisfaction, has led to the establishment of iAutoAgent®, a revolutionary automotive company. By offering innovative solutions for both businesses and consumers, iAutoAgent® maximizes convenience, value, and customer satisfaction. Through their Done For You Fleet Management program and streamlined vehicle acquisition division, iAutoAgent® empowers business owners to focus on revenue-generating activities.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Introduction:
In the dynamic world of business, adaptability often becomes the key to survival and growth. iAutoAgent, a company specializing in car sales, recently underwent a remarkable transformation, transitioning from a consumer-focused enterprise to a thriving fleet vehicle sales service. This strategic pivot allowed iAutoAgent to tap into an underserved market segment, paving the way for accelerated growth and increased customer satisfaction.
Consumer-Focused Origins:
iAutoAgent began its journey as a trailblazer in the automotive industry, acting as a trusted intermediary between car buyers and sellers. The company operated on a unique premise: providing a comprehensive listing, marketing, and showcasing service for individuals looking to sell their vehicles. Leveraging their expertise, iAutoAgent aimed to simplify the often complex and challenging process of selling a car privately.
The team at iAutoAgent recognized the competitive nature of the individual car sales market, where dealerships held a significant advantage. Nevertheless, they persisted, offering a cost-free solution that appealed to sellers seeking an alternative to traditional dealership channels. Additionally, iAutoAgent developed a groundbreaking vehicle finder program, enabling consumers to effortlessly purchase vehicles nationwide, bypassing the hassle of dealing directly with dealers.
The Turning Point:
Despite initial success, the iAutoAgent team realized that their potential for growth within the consumer market was limited. Intense competition with dealerships for individual car listings proved to be a challenging and cutthroat environment. Recognizing the need for a change in direction, the iAutoAgent team saw an untapped opportunity lying within the fleet vehicle market.
Fleet Vehicles: A Neglected Opportunity:
Research revealed that dealerships showed minimal interest in fleet vehicles, making it an overlooked segment of the automotive industry. Seeing this gap, iAutoAgent identified the chance to cater to businesses with fleet vehicles, providing them with a streamlined and efficient sales process. By shifting their focus from individual consumers to corporate clients, iAutoAgent aimed to increase their market share and strengthen their business model.
Embracing the Fleet Vehicle Market:
With a strategic pivot in mind, iAutoAgent made a bold decision to reallocate their resources and expertise to meet the demands of fleet vehicle sales. This transition involved reevaluating their marketing strategy, operational procedures, and team dynamics. Extensive research was conducted to understand the unique needs and challenges faced by businesses with fleet vehicles.
By tailoring their services to these specific requirements, iAutoAgent positioned itself as a valuable partner for companies seeking to maximize the value of their fleet vehicles while minimizing the distractions from their core revenue-generating activities. The team at iAutoAgent took on the responsibility of handling all aspects of the fleet vehicle sales process, including finding vehicles, communicating with dealerships, vetting vehicles, and organizing seamless pickup arrangements for their clients.
Redefining Success:
iAutoAgent’s strategic pivot paid off handsomely. The transition from a consumer-focused business to a fleet vehicle sales specialist resulted in a remarkable shift of their revenue distribution, with 90% of their business now coming from helping businesses with fleet vehicles. The decision to tap into this underserved market allowed iAutoAgent to distance themselves from the fierce competition found in the consumer-focused sector, where dealerships held a dominant position.
Moreover, the newfound focus on fleet vehicle sales not only allowed iAutoAgent to expand their service offerings but also opened up opportunities for partnerships with businesses seeking a reliable and efficient solution for their fleet management needs. iAutoAgent’s dedication to exceptional customer service and a tailored approach to fleet vehicle sales has positioned them as a trusted industry leader, fostering long-term relationships with their corporate clients.
Conclusion:
The journey of iAutoAgent serves as a testament to the importance of adaptability and strategic decision-making in the business world.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
This is a story of perseverance. When I embarked on the journey of starting iAutoAgent, I initially named it eAutoAgent. Together with my friend Joe, we dedicated our evenings at Panera Bread to meticulously plan our company, envisioning its greatness and expecting success to follow. However, reality took an unexpected turn.
On the very first day, January 1st, 2015, as we eagerly ventured into our new business, we encountered a significant obstacle. While meeting with attorneys to seek their guidance, one attorney, who happened to work for Enterprise Leasing Company, expressed concerns about our name. He rushed back to Enterprise and discovered that not only could he not work with us, but we also had to change our name. In an instant, I found myself losing my business overnight. I had to dismantle websites, marketing materials, and everything associated with our original name.
To compound the challenges, my business partner Joe delivered another blow. He informed me that he had to leave the business due to personal reasons, as he was going through a divorce. Devastated, I had to find a new partner and rebrand the company. Thus, I decided on the name “iAutoAgent,” with the “i” symbolizing integrity, a value instilled in me by my parents.
I recruited my best friend, who possessed industry experience, but this decision proved to be ill-fated. Unbeknownst to me, he was battling alcoholism and would show up intoxicated at clients’ homes. When a client brought this to my attention, I had no choice but to terminate his employment immediately. It was only three months into our business, and financial stability seemed like a distant dream, especially with the responsibility of supporting my family of four in a well-to-do area like Chesterfield, Missouri.
As if the burden wasn’t heavy enough, my mentor and pillar of support, my father, tragically passed away at a young age due to Lewy Bodies Dementia. The weight of stress upon me was immeasurable. Every day brought hives, a physical manifestation of my anxiety. The future seemed uncertain, and I had never experienced such intense pressure before.
Then, in June 2015, just three months later, another calamity struck. My mother called from the hospital, having experienced symptoms that resembled a heart attack. She revealed that three of her heart valves were blocked, and cancer had been discovered in her lungs. She underwent a daunting seven-hour surgery to remove the cancer and clear the clogged arteries. Prior to the surgery, my mother left me a heartfelt letter, confronting difficult truths. Though she survived the operation, a seizure and stroke left her life hanging by a thread. As her situation worsened, so did mine.
I felt like a boxer trapped in a ring, my hands bound, unable to counter the blows life was dealing me. Seeking solace, I would lie on the couch in my basement, contemplating my two options. In my mind, there was no alternative but to persist with iAutoAgent. I was resolute in making it work, no matter the obstacles that lay ahead.
To bolster my spirits, I adorned my mirror with uplifting quotes at night, training my mind to focus solely on the positives. I drew strength from the beautiful reviews and positive feedback we received for iAutoAgent. People would approach me, acknowledging my business model and labeling me a “genius.” The irony of others trying to seize my business idea only heightened the stress I faced.
In the face of immense adversity, I stood firm, unwavering in my determination to succeed with iAutoAgent.
Contact Info:
- Website: iAutoAgent.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iautoagent
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iautoagent
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaygrosman/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iautoagent
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iAutoAgent/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/iautoagent-chesterfield