Lawrence P. “L.P.” Vollano, 30Social Media/Marketing Manager/Service WriterM.I.C. Tire Pros
New to the tire industry, Lawrence P. “L.P.” Vollano comes from a rich family legacy of tire dealers and believes joining the industry is his destiny. Vollano’s great grandfather worked for Firestone in the 1940s and ‘50s, and his grandfather owned a tire dealership, Queen’s Tire Pros. Eventually Vollano’s father purchased the business and it was later moved and renamed M.I.C. Tire Pros.
“My working in the tire industry was inevitable,” Vollano shares. “The tire industry is in my blood.”
Despite this family connection, Vollano spent several years working in corporate America as well as the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. But after recent discussions with his father, he decided to move back and join the family business – a decision he doesn’t regret.
“I had an amazing time working in [the entertainment industry] and loved what I did,” he says. “At the end of the day, however, I felt like the work I was doing was a little hollow. While the hours are longer and maybe it seems a little less glamorous, I come in every day knowing that every action and decision I make makes a difference in our business. Being in a family-owned business is very fulfilling.”
Vollano spends the majority of his day at the counter interacting with customers, something he loves.
“I love taking the opportunity to educate customers and develop relationships,” he says.
While Vollano has been in the tire industry just over a year, he continues to learn every day. He participates in a 20 Group and will be ASE certified by year-end, he says. The long-term goal, however, is for Vollano to take over his father’s share of M.I.C. Tire Pros and co-own the location with Huseyin Ozkumru.
FUN FACT: Vollano wishes he could invent an “As Seen On TV” product. “I love how ridiculous the commercials are, how they make everything seem as if it’s a necessity that’s going to change your life,” he says.