september2022 - 42

TALES FROM THE ROAD
All in the family
The entire Meyers family embraces the Mac Tools business with enthusiasm.
By E. Lisa Moses, Contributing Writer
E
very year, 34-year-old Cameron
Meyer, his wife Bridget, and their
four daughters drive to the Mac
Tools Tool Fair from their home in
Pierce, Neb. for their vacation. They
like the family-friendly destinations the
company chooses for these events,
so everyone can have a good time
and still do business.
" When we're at these tool shows,
Bridget just soaks everything in, and
the girls learn a lot, too, " Meyer says.
Their eight-year-old, McKenna,
gets to practice the sales pitches she
learns from him when she hitches a
ride on his route.
A multi-route franchisee, Meyer
covers Northeast Nebraska with two
trucks. He and his other driver service
about 850 customers in the city of Norfolk
and every town within a 70-mile
radius. Meyer's territory is mainly
Norfolk, where he spends Mondays
at Northeast Community College with
students in the automotive, autobody,
and diesel technician programs. At the
college, students flock to the truck,
where he showcases new products, distributes
flyers, and provides educational
sessions and demonstrations.
" It's a big thing for our KansasNebraska
Mac Tools district, and we're
always the No. 1 district for student
technicians, " he reports, adding that
these are also his future customers.
Meyer's history and background
were a perfect fit for this career choice.
What's your story?
Share the ups and downs of life on the road
with us at Editor@VehicleServicePros.com
and you could be featured in our next Tales
from the Road column.
Cameron Meyer spends every Monday at a
community college demonstrating new tools
and fostering future business.
Before becoming a mobile tool dealer
seven years ago, he sold parts in a variety
of enterprises. He's also been exposed
to the auto industry since before he was
born. His father owned an automotive
repair shop for 45 years.
At one point when Meyer's multiroute
driver quit, Bridget took a break from
being a stay-at-home mom and jumped in.
She trained on his truck for two days and
hit the road the following week.
" She serviced the route for two
months until I had the next driver hired
and trained, " he says. " Bridget really
understands the business, and now
knows the route and the customers. "
Meyer is also a " dad " to his customers,
who know he will take care of them
and figure something out if they're in
a jam or need something quickly. He
keeps a large selection of tools on his
truck, including specialty items such as
timing tools, so he's often their first call.
If he's out of stock, he'll find another
Mac distributor and have them dropship
the item.
Meyer's bestsellers include Mac's
exclusive RBRT sets, cordless electrical
tools, and air tools. Mac Tools updates
him regularly on new developments, and
42 Professional Distributor I September 2022 I VehicleServicePros.com
he is constantly searching websites and
magazines to see what's out there.
" This helps me sell to technicians
who have been around for a long time,
and think they don't need anything
more, but when they see the benefits
of a cool new tool, they'll probably buy
it, " he says.
As for sales tools, Meyer believes
that social media is one of the most
important vehicles for distributors.
He's a huge Snapchat user, with about
500 business contacts. He reports
that any time he takes something in
on trade, he'll post it on his account,
and it will usually be gone before he
gets to his next stop.
In looking to the future, Meyer can't
envision doing anything else.
" I truly love what I do, and it doesn't
feel like work to me. "
His family would agree.
FUN FACTS:
Favorite hobby
Dirt-track racing an IMCA
Northern SportMod.
Music for the road
Racing podcasts are music to
his ears.
Can't live without on
the truck
Internet and cellphone -
his lifeline.
Biggest sale ever
About $18,000 for a giant
toolbox with tools.
Favorite snacks
Goldrush beef jerky, Mac
Tools candy mix, and Monster
Energy drinks.
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
september2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of september2022
