Investing in the Future

By gaining the support of the locals, keeping staff involved in their accomplishments, and ensuring the next generation is committed, the Bradys have been able to plan for an undoubtedly profitable future.

For some dealers, the power is in the brand, others the service. At Brady’s Power Equipment, they find their power is in their people. This multigenerational family business has worked hard to build strong ties to members of their community and with their employees. It was not a difficult task, considering they treat everyone like family.

Focusing on the success and well-being of their community and employees alike has secured for the Bradys a bright future as an outdoor power equipment dealer. At the Yard & Garden Dealers in Excellence Awards ceremony at this year’s GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Steve Brady introduced us to that future: his son Tom.

COMMUNITY FIRST

The Bradys have learned a lot since the days of running a two-cycle repair shop in their garage. “It has been 20 years since Steve and Carolyn made the risky decision to expand their business and move the location in order to make room for profitable expansion,” says daughter Diane Brady-Haight. “Today, their 4,000-square-foot showroom and service center is truly the cornerstone of the community.”

The Brady family has worked hard to establish itself in the Stormville, NY, community. They attend a laundry list of area events and contribute whatever they can in support of their neighbors. They sponsor area baseball and soccer teams, and support The American Cancer Society Relay for Life team each year as just part of their community-minded efforts.

Being friendly and supportive members of the community has always been a focus. The Bradys have also found an interesting way to make the dealership itself a friendlier place for customers who come to visit. Owner Steve Brady’s macaw Kramer, a colorful and talkative bird, has made the dealership his permanent residence. “Customers try to get him to talk as they stop in to drop off a chain for sharpening or look at the newest equipment displayed in the clean, bright showroom,” says Haight.

The resources and energy spent establishing themselves within the community was an easy decision for the Bradys, who feel that it is their duty to do so and realize they get back what they put out. “We get a lot out of the community,” explains Steve Brady. “They support the business and give to us, so we give to them. It’s kind of a symbiotic relationship.” Brady hopes that the members of their community take note of their involvement and will in turn choose to support them as a local business instead of the area big box stores.

INVESTING IN TECHNICIANS

Offering their time in addition to goods and services to better the community is something the Bradys do for the technicians right in their own shop. They continuously invest time and money into their technicians to help them improve their skills as well as turnaround times in the shop. This includes covering the expense of training and offering incentive pay.

“If my guys are all certified, they are going to do a better job and I can reward them for that,” shares Brady. “We put certificates up all over the dealership showing that our techs in the backroom are attending seminars and schools. It’s a great thing. It costs us money but in the long run is going to make us money back.”