SPOTLIGHT ON

Priorities & Partnership

Ed has four priorities that guide his decisions in both the personal and business part of his life. At All Auto Parts, making money is just third on Ed’s list. “We run our business to enjoy our lives. The purpose of owning a business, in my opinion, is you run the busi- ness, it shouldn’t run you,” Ed says. “My main goal is to minimize aggravation. More time to play and have fun is number two. Planning for the future comes fourth. I want to be with the family – I was a soccer and baseball coach and attended all my children’s activities. These are the things that are important to me.” “Having my own business enables me to work and live as I please. I enjoy the freedom it offers, where I re- port to no one and I’m able to set my own hours. In the early days of consolidation, we were too small to be purchased. At the time, I was disappointed, but now I re- alize that it was the best thing that happened. I really en- joy this business and I am glad we have it. It’s very moti- vating to work and debate the direction of our company with Jared and a key employee, Eric Ottoson. Jared is a

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“I want to hit the 100-year mark. And we can get there one day at a time.” – Jared Milmeister

people person and is very strong is this area. I am a numbers guy, so we make a terrific team!”

“I am in my 15th year in the business,” says Jared.

“I spent some time in college then ended up running a tennis professional coaching business, working with junior champions. When I got married and my family expanded with two stepdaughters, and then my first daughter was born, I started to consider my options. I needed to do something else, so I came to work at All Auto, starting from the bottom up. I left a high-paying coaching career to work for $10 an hour as inventory person. Even now, every day I learn something new. My motto is ‘yesterday’s history and tomorrow’s a mystery.’ I want to take advantage of today.” “I am excited to get to work every day,” says Ed. “If you can achieve that, I think you’ve made it. I have friends that are wealthy and are retired. They are envious that I have a purpose; and it is priceless. Yes, there are ups and downs. I know many in our industry are not doing fantastic, we do okay, we are in the fight, we don’t want to sell; we want to continue operating our business.”

July-August 2018 • AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING