At just 14 years old, Michael McGee got a job unloading tractor-trailers filled with used tires. From those humble beginnings, McGee has come a long way.

Today at age 29, he is vice president at Public Tire Warehouse located in Goldsboro, N.C. He says his typical workday consists of two essential activities – retail sales and wholesale sales.

Anyone who works in the sales field understands that person-to-person contact is inevitable. Luckily for McGee, he’s a people person and loves that he can interact with customers and clients on a day-to-day basis.

Success for McGee is simply living a life that he hasn’t had to settle for. He lives by the motto “Work Hard, Play Hard,” but it wasn’t always easy.

Right before he went off to college, his father lost his job of 25 years. At 55 years old, McGee’s dad started a new venture to help put McGee through school. Since then, that venture has grown exponentially. That example of hard work and dedication was a crucial experience that gave McGee the confidence to succeed.

As the vice president of a family-owned business, it isn’t always smooth sailing. To stay motivated during tough times, McGee thinks about the customers, employees, and the pride that comes with being in a family business.

When asked if he hadn’t gotten into the tire industry, what would he be doing now, he responded that he’d want “a job that allowed me to travel and get out to meet new people.”

Fun Fact: When not working, McGee enjoys golfing, hunting, and boating.