Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Coonrod.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my business in February 2009 after about a year of preparation. Prior to that I worked for a local mortgage company, but after the collapse in 2007 I knew it was a matter of time before I would be out of a job. I had known for a long time that I eventually wanted to be self-employed and the timing just felt right since I was 25 at the time, not yet married, and had no kids.
I have been always customer service oriented, loved working outside, and was passionate about cars. I had limited experience in the towing industry as a result of working for an automotive repair shop in my late teens so it seemed like a good fit when I was ready to leave my desk job.
On February 2nd 2009, I was open for business in Arlington. I was excited, I was nervous, but most of all I was scared! I was leaving a good job, but I knew it was for the best. Knowing all I had was about $13,000 to live on, I didn’t know if it was going to work, but I knew I wasn’t going to give up no matter how hard things got.
I spent my free time trying to learn everything I needed to know to operate my first tow truck. At this point, I knew very little about actually towing a vehicle or even owning my own business. I did a lot of learning as I went. As new things came at me I did my best to learn everything I could about it and slowly business started coming in.
Towards the end of July 2009, a major setback really had me doubting myself. I told myself that if things didn’t turn around by the end of August, then I would be broke and it would be time to move on to something else. As things would have it, I grossed almost $10,000 in August of 2009 and after paying all my bills that month I broke even. I think I literally had $300 to my name going into September, but I didn’t lose money in August and that’s all that mattered. It was then that I told myself, if I can just break even every month for the rest of the year then I would be able to make it.
When February 1st of 2010 came, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I had made it through that first year! If I could make it the first year, then the second one would be a piece of cake… well sort of.
I have been through lots of growing pains now 8 years into this adventure and there will certainly be many more. If it wasn’t for my friends and family supporting me this entire time, I don’t know if I would’ve made it this far. It was a great feeling in September of 2016 when I signed the note for my very first brand new tow truck. It was just as exciting when I did it again in February of this year.
Some people on the outside looking in would say things are great and I’m doing well, but any small business owner will tell you that every day is a new challenge with its own struggles.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all! At first, the biggest struggle was money. When I first started, I had limited funds after purchasing my first truck. I burned through all my savings in the first six months. It was at this point that I thought maybe I wouldn’t make it, but like I said I finally made enough to break even. Being undercapitalized is a struggle that most new small business owners struggle with.
Another challenge for me was actually learning to manage the business and employees. Good owners, bosses, and managers make it look easy. I feel like I’m doing a good job or the right thing, but I find that often times that I have mishandled a situation or employee. I try to surround myself with other small business owners that can help me find solutions. I also put a lot of weight in the advice that book keeper gives me since she’s seen all types of businesses both succeed and fail.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Titan Towing – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a towing company in a sea of other towing companies in the DFW area. I feel what has allowed me to be relatively successful to this point is our level of customer service.
From day one, customer service has been my number one priority. We clearly quote prices that are competitive with level of service we provide. We give customers an honest ETA up front and then continually follow up with customers should something happen. I feel like customers appreciate having honest pricing up front and an ETA they can rely on.
We make sure our trucks are well maintained, our drivers are back ground checked and drug tested, and we meet or exceed all state requirements for licensing and insurance. Being one of the youngest towing company owners in the area I see the value for technology in my industry. From GPS tracking on our trucks to camera systems that record all events in and around our trucks to our website features like “Quick Quote” we use technology everywhere we can to help with our customer experience as well as give them peace of mind while using our service.
Combine all of these things and you get a company that customers can trust and continually come back to for services or feel confident enough to give referrals to their friends and family. The biggest growth year over year for us has been customer referrals and I feel this speaks to the high level of service we provide.
I make sure that my employees all understand my customer service oriented approach. I push them every day to get better at their job and do what they can to always go the extra mile. As a company, we strive to change the public perception of towing companies!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I can answer both of these questions with one word: Traffic!
There is never any shortage of people needing our services. That’s why we are here! I like helping people when they find themselves in need of our services. If money didn’t matter I would still get up to tow every day.
As much as I like traffic because it’s good for business, I’m like every other driver and I hate being stuck in it. Right now, DFW is growing so fast that the roads and highways are always packed with cars. Traffic definitely hinders our ability to do our jobs as efficiently as possible, but for us cars on the road, needing help, is what puts us to work so we always find a way to get things done.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5213 Kaltenbrun Rd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76119 - Website: www.titantowing.net
- Phone: 817-804-0334
- Email: admin@titantowing.net
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/titantowingarlington
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/titan-towing-arlington-2
