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What if building a company isn’t just about selling a product, but about transforming an industry? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Tim Cox, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of CarNow, a guy whose journey from the dealership floor to creating one of the industry’s most impactful tech solutions is nothing short of legendary.

We dig into how CarNow came to be—not from some grand blueprint, but from a real need Tim saw while grinding it out in dealerships day after day. Tim’s story is packed with those raw, unfiltered moments every entrepreneur can relate to: the 4 a.m. grinds, the endless search for better processes, and the unwavering commitment to his team and customers. Trust me, it’s not the product that makes CarNow special; it’s the intention behind it, the obsession with helping people, and the pursuit of excellence that has taken it from a startup to a cornerstone in automotive retail.

Here’s what we’re unpacking in this episode:

  • The Real Origin Story: How an “unscheduled” meeting at a dealership turned into a game-changing business.
  • Process as the Ultimate Differentiator: Why Tim believes process isn’t just essential—it’s non-negotiable. “You’re either moving forward or moving backward; there’s no standing still.”
  • The Truth About Thoughtful AI: Tim doesn’t just throw around the buzzwords; he digs into CarNow’s hybrid approach to AI and why he believes in using it to assist—not replace—human interaction.
  • The People-First Playbook: From the Hennessy Group to Butler dealerships, Tim talks about the legendary teams he’s worked with and the leadership lessons he’s learned from the best in the game.
  • Tim’s philosophy? Hire the right people, set the vision, and then get out of their way. This isn’t your typical “product showcase” episode. It’s about relationships, resilience, and the art of staying humble even when you’re working with some of the biggest players in the industry.

If you’re all about finding inspiration from real stories and genuine people, you’re going to love this conversation. Whether you’re knee-deep in the car business or just looking for the kind of wisdom that applies anywhere, Tim Cox is here to deliver.

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