Kim Taylor and husband, Andrew Taylor, are entrepreneurs at heart. With no real automotive service experience, together the pair purchased Titan Auto & Tire in 2004. The business has since grown in size to two locations, with a third location being explored.
“We’re not technicians, we’re just entrepreneurs that hire help,” she says. “We have some great guys that know how to do really good repair work so we just manage.”
As co-owner of the tire dealership, Taylor spends her time alternating between the two locations, attending community events and networking. She also meets with the sales staff regularly to make sure they are prepared for upcoming promotions and to meet sales goals.
It’s the people she meets and the community involvement that Taylor enjoys most about being a business owner.
“I think the best part is forming relationships with our community and our customers, and getting involved with local charities and organizations and just giving back,” she says.
In the past,Taylor wasn’t always able to get away from work, but today she’s finding a better balance.
“I see success as having a healthy balance in your life. Being healthy, having good friendships, good family relationships. After the last five years, my husband and I have more balance in our life. We’ve been able to enjoy life a little bit more. And [we enjoy having] more flexibility and not be stuck in the office for 10 hours a day or have the stress we did 10 years ago,” she says.
In addition to her work at the tire dealership, Taylor heads up the women’s business council for the local chamber of commerce. She is also a member of the Virginia Automotive Association’s Next Generation Advisory Council.
Fun Fact: Taylor says if she had the time she’d own a horse and regularly horseback ride. “I absolutely love horseback riding. It is one of the most relaxing things. Unfortunately, I only get to do it once or twice a year, if I’m lucky,” she shares.
