Local entrepreneur says hard work and treating people well are keys to business success

Local business owner Gene Sisk says that to be successful in business, you don't just have to have a good idea. You also have to put in a lot of effort.

"When you own your own business, there's no going home at 5 o'clock," he said.

Gene, who is owner of Sisk Family Ford, has many years of experience as a business owner. In the 70s he was in the timber business, which lead, in part, to his love of Ford trucks. ("They were the most dependable on the market.") That business lead to others he started from scratch - a quick lube business and retail car lots in Morganton and Bostic.

"Only three years since I graduated high school have I worked for someone other than myself," he said.

Gene, said his son, John, who serves as general manager at Sisk Family Ford, has always been a car man. He got into car sales because he had an opportunity to buy vehicles he was servicing at the quick lube.

"He always wanted a Ford dealership," John said. "When he found out the Hunnicutts wanted to sell, it seemed like the time to do it. It was close to home."

Sisk Family Ford celebrated five years in business in October 2015. The car business, Gene said, has changed over the more than 30 years he's been in it.

"You really have to keep up with times," he said. "You have to be able to change with technology of the times."

When he first began, car sales happened mostly face to face.

"A customer used to shop seven dealerships on average," Gene explained. "Now, with online sales, they shop 1.5."

It's no surprise a big percentage of the dealership's business comes through internet sales as well as our print advertising.

"He was resistant to selling on the Internet when we were in Bostic," John said. "But he went on vacation, and I listed some cars online. I sold five cars that week, and we've never looked back."

Social media has played a role in the online sales. As General Manager, John responds to requests for information throughout the day.

"The quicker you respond online the more likelihood of a sell," Gene said. "If we're here, we try to answer within 15 minutes."

Through the Web the dealership has sold cars to almost all 50 states, and a customer from California is driving in this week to pick up his new vehicle.

Delivering excellent customer service has also contributed to the dealership's growth over the past five years.

"I feel like we treat customers as fairly as we can, and give them as good a value as we can," Gene said. "I won't bring anything on the lot that I myself wouldn't buy."

The Sisks' business model is based on the golden rule - each employee and customer are treated as they'd like to be treated.

"We have very low turnover, and we have several businesses in the county who always buy vehicles from us. We take pride in what we do," John explained.

They are also community minded, sponsoring Little League teams and holding fundraisers for various organizations.

Gene's entrepreneurial spirit rubbed off on John, who graduated with a degree in business management. His first job was washing cars for $1 each.

"I like working for myself," he laughed.

He also likes working with his dad, who he said "Does his thing, and I do mine.

"That's the key to a family run business - you have to get along and treat each other like you'd want to be treated."

"I'll be here as long as my health's good," Gene said.