Today we’d like to introduce you to Wade Guthrie.
Hi Wade, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Wade Guthrie, and I am an entrepreneur originally from East TX. I am currently the Director of Marketing for TLR Hydraulics, Inc.
My story in DFW began when my story in East TX ended.
I owned and operated a fire & safety business in East TX, in the small town of Gladewater for several years. Mostly centered around the oil & gas industry. I started my business when I bought out my previous employer of almost 10 years and went out on my own venture.
My business was very successful for several years. But unfortunately, I was one of the ones that took a hard enough hit during the pandemic, that I was forced to close down. I struggled for months to try and keep it afloat, but there was not enough money coming in, and I have a family of 5 to provide for. So, I had to try and find a way to find a good job, and quick. But with the pandemic, and oil & gas doing so poorly, there wasn’t anything in East TX to make the kind of wage I needed to make.
I visited with a good friend of mine that worked as a mechanic at a hydraulic shop in Midlothian (TLR Hydraulics) and I told him how bad things were going, and that I was about to have to close down my business and sell it off and find something else. He suggested that I talk to the owners at TLR about a sales position.
I had never dealt in hydraulics my entire life, but I started selling cars at 21, so I’m no stranger to selling. So, I decided to call the owner and see if I could interest him in interviewing me.
The following Tuesday, I met with Tom Rupe, the owner, for an interview.
We spent some time talking, and by the time it was over, he offered me a sales job. Which I gladly accepted. But, when I asked when would I start… he replied, TOMORROW.
While this was great news as far as getting income back coming in, it was a gut-shot of anxiety with everything I had to figure out, literally overnight.
So many people to contact, inventory to pack and move, equipment to move, etc… And I had to do all of this in my off time, after work at my new job. AND my new job was 2 hours away.
I continued to live in East TX and tried working sales in that area, but it just wasn’t enough. I needed an area with more opportunity… So, I set my eyes on DFW.
I had to make the move… It was difficult for us, simply because we were having to leave our family home behind that we had been living in for the better part of a decade. Our kids were going to have to switch schools. One was in her senior year and had only went to the same school her entire life. So, our lives were basically flipping upside down. But we all knew it was necessary.
After a month of researching schools and different areas to find a place where we felt comfortable settling with the kids, we ended up deciding on North Richland Hills. And this is where my DFW success story begins…
After taking over the Fort Worth territory and other areas, sales were going great. But with me having a mind for business, I wanted to get more involved with the company. Not just sales.
After several discussions with the owner about our online presence and marketing, I took over all of our marketing responsibilities.
I completely rebranded the company with a new logo and a new style of marketing. And since then, our company has grown immensely, and our name is more well-known than it ever has been. We are the #1 hydraulic service company in the DFW metroplex!
I always believe everything happens for a reason. I believe when one opportunity fails… another will always present itself. But you have to be willing to look for it. Because it doesn’t just fall in your lap. And as hard as it is, sometimes you have to make very difficult choices that you really don’t want to make.
Letting go of my business was by far one of the hardest and most painful decisions that I have ever had to make in my life. I worked so hard for so long to build my business to what it was. And I was extremely proud of it. BUT how your future will be, is based off of the decisions you make. So, you ALWAYS have to make the right decision. No matter how hard it is. I made the right decision, and I couldn’t be more glad that I did. I had to put my pride aside and accept the fact that it just wasn’t going to work. The world was in a mess, and there just wasn’t any hope left for my business.
I 100% believe that I was meant to end up at TLR Hydraulics. I have already achieved much success, and plan to achieve much more in the future.
DFW has given me a whole new world of opportunity. Not just for business, but for my family as well. We get to spend so much time together doing new things, eating at new places, and meeting new people. And my kids can choose from several good colleges to attend without having to move far from home.
That basically sums up my story. My family and I have been living here in DFW now for over a year, and we absolutely love it. We are looking to purchase a home here next year!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I started my business, I had my fair share of struggles. But nothing that I couldn’t handle. It was mostly time management issues, and of course, in the very beginning money was very tight. But things grew pretty rapidly, and then the issues were mainly back to time.
But the pandemic… The pandemic was a very big struggle for me. Nothing could have prepared me for that. Not only due to it causing my business to fail, but also trying to get started in a new industry that I had never worked in, and having to make cold calls to new customers while everyone is barely even allowing visitors in the door… It definitely didn’t make things easy.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the Director of Marketing for TLR Hydraulics, Inc. I work out of our home office in Midlothian, TX. We also have locations in Odessa, TX, and San Diego, CA. And we are soon going to have more locations open.
We specialize in hydraulic repair, radiator repair, machine work, fabrication, heavy equipment repair, and much more. What sets us apart from the competition, is our ability to do all of our work in-house. We offer more services under one roof than any other competitor out there.
I come from an entrepreneur background and have a mind for business. I was hired on with TLR as a salesman but quickly progressed to carrying many roles in the company. I am a creator, marketing professional, web designer, salesman, and the IT guy. I do everything from managing customer accounts… shooting, editing, and producing our marketing videos… creating and managing our website and social media pages… acquiring and designing billboards… running ad campaigns… you name it.
I am very proud of the progress I have made with this company, and to be a part of all of the growth we have achieved over the last year. We have set records 2 months in a row! And considering we are still somewhat in a pandemic; I would say that is something to be very proud of!
How do you define success?
I believe success is defined by one’s determination to succeed. If you are willing to work hard enough, the reward is great. If y0u expect success to find you, then you are selling yourself false hope. Get up, go out, and achieve greatness!
Contact Info:
- Email: wade@tlrhydraulicsdfw.com
- Website: www.tlr-hydraulics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlrhydraulics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tlrhydraulicsdfw
