Leadership, decision-making discipline, systems integration, and AI fatigue drive Episode 75 of Crossroad Conversations. Fresh off the NADA Conference in Las Vegas, the Lewis Brothers break down what they learned about evaluating vendors, upgrading business systems, and avoiding the shiny-object trap that can cost companies millions.

The conversation opens with a recap of NADA — 4.6 million square feet of vendors, workshops, networking, and nonstop pitches — and why going with structure and a mission is the only way to survive it. Splitting up the team, taking notes, comparing findings, and reconvening daily allowed them to gather real data instead of emotional decisions.

They unpack the reality of system overload inside modern dealerships — CRM platforms, appraisal tools, texting software, DMS providers, marketing partners, phone systems, and AI add-ons — and the eye-opening discovery of how quickly monthly tools add up. The goal wasn’t to buy more. It was to make existing systems communicate better and improve the customer experience across departments.

A major theme in this episode is simple: new technology doesn’t fix broken processes — it magnifies them. If your people and workflow aren’t solid, AI will only amplify the gaps. But when the fundamentals are strong, the right tools can accelerate performance.

The brothers walk through the vendor filter they use before adding anything new:
What problem does it solve?
Are we already paying for something similar?
What can we delete if we add this?
Is the support responsive when something breaks?
Will it write back into the customer record so the whole team benefits?

The episode closes with lessons on digital footprint consistency — making sure your website, social presence, and online scheduling match the real culture inside your business — and why conferences like NADA are less about signing contracts and more about staying relevant in a fast-moving industry.

TAKEAWAYS

New technology amplifies broken processes
Go to conferences with structure and a mission
Never sign vendor contracts on emotion
If you add a system, identify what it replaces
Support responsiveness matters more than features
Systems must communicate across departments
Employee buy-in determines long-term success
Your digital footprint should match your culture

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 New tech magnifies broken processes
00:24 Episode intro + NADA recap
01:42 What’s in the garage: 2026 2-door Wrangler
03:41 Inside NADA: size and strategy
07:41 Conference structure + note-taking discipline
16:19 System audit and true vendor cost
20:19 Getting systems to communicate
21:48 Vendor decision filters
23:21 Mythbuster: newest tech isn’t always best
27:33 Support and usability matter most
31:18 Writing back into the customer record
35:05 AI fatigue and real AI value
38:17 Vendor fatigue on both sides
44:23 Internal buy-in before implementation
49:02 Digital footprint consistency
52:42 Wrap-up

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

Leadership, adaptability, problem-solving, and long-term vision drive Episode 74 of Crossroad Conversations. In this episode, the Lewis Brothers break down what it truly takes to stay in business for 80 years, and why being solution-based matters more than circumstances, especially when unexpected challenges like winter storms and business slowdowns hit.

The conversation starts with how Lewis Automotive Group began in Northwest Arkansas, tracing roots back to entrepreneurship in the late 1800s and the early days of the Ford dealership on the town square. The brothers explain how location, opportunity, and willingness to evolve have shaped every major move the business has made over the decades.

They discuss how many of the same challenges still exist today — inventory shortages, transportation issues, financing, and staffing — and why leadership response is often the only variable that can change the outcome. From repairing lawn equipment during tough times to shifting operations during modern supply shortages, the episode shows how adaptability has always been part of survival.

A major focus of the episode is how businesses should respond when snow and severe weather shut down normal customer traffic but expenses continue. The brothers explain forecasting, daily targets, and why downtime must be used for training, customer outreach, recalls, and preparation instead of waiting for conditions to improve.

They also unpack leadership during uncertainty, including how communication, flexibility, and shared effort build trust with employees. From management working alongside the team to adjusting schedules and expectations, the episode highlights how culture is shaped during the hardest days, not the easy ones.

The episode shifts into a powerful story about turning setbacks into opportunity, including a past boat show disaster that became an in-house sales win by changing strategy instead of quitting. That mindset of turning problems into progress continues to guide decisions today.

The brothers then move into generational business, explaining why real longevity requires vision, accountability, and buy-in from the next generation. They discuss why entitlement kills growth, why ownership must be earned, and how long-term success requires constant reinvestment and evaluation of systems that once worked.

The episode closes by focusing on future opportunity, including expanding detailing capacity, building accessory operations, and identifying new services within existing customer relationships. The central message remains clear: long-lasting businesses survive by adapting, staying uncomfortable, and constantly finding solutions.

KEYWORDS
leadership, family business, small business growth, adaptability, problem-solving, business strategy, long-term success, entrepreneurship, company culture, accountability, forecasting, weather impact on business, Northwest Arkansas

TAKEAWAYS

Longevity requires constant adaptation, not comfort
Leadership response matters more than circumstances
Downtime should be used for training and preparation
Clear communication builds trust during uncertainty
Culture is revealed during hard situations
Growth requires

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

Consistency, culture, and community drive Episode 73 of Crossroad Conversations. In this episode, the Lewis Brothers are joined by Mike Rush, founder of Rush Running Company, to connect the running world with leadership in business and explain why long-term commitment beats short-term motivation.

The conversation opens with why people keep showing up for hard workouts: surrounding yourself with people who elevate and challenge you. After a quick “what’s in the garage” segment featuring the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, the discussion shifts into Mike’s journey from running at the University of Arkansas to coaching and building Rush Running into a nationally recognized community hub.

Mike explains why great leaders focus on people first, hire for culture fit, and build environments where accountability is built into daily habits. He shares how Rush’s Monday night speed group has stayed consistent for 18 years, growing from 24 runners to regular crowds of 70–130 — all built by simply showing up every week with no cost and no barriers.

They also unpack why most people quit goals early: lack of accountability and lack of community. Strong culture does not happen by accident — it is created through consistency, celebrating small wins, and removing negativity before it spreads. The episode closes by reinforcing that whether in running or business, real progress comes from surrounding yourself with the right people and staying consistent long after motivation fades.

KEYWORDS
consistency, leadership, culture, community, accountability, coaching, running, mindset, discipline, Rush Running Company

TAKEAWAYS
Consistency beats motivation
Culture must be built intentionally
Hire for values, train for skills
Accountability keeps goals alive
Small wins create momentum
Negativity kills team culture fast
Community makes hard work sustainable

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Elevation through community
00:23 Podcast intro
01:31 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
03:07 Mike Rush and Rush Running
05:00 Staff-first leadership
11:25 Monday night speed group
32:06 Building lasting culture
44:06 Why people quit goals
48:10 Negativity vs culture
50:38 Small wins and momentum
01:12:18 Where to find Rush Running
01:15:52 Closing

CONNECT WITH RUSH RUNNING COMPANY

Rush Running Company is dedicated to helping runners of all levels improve through coaching, community, and expert support.

🏃 Website — https://www.rushrunning.com/

📘 Rushing Running Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/rushrunning

📍 Rush Running Fayetteville Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057123803763

📸 Rush Running Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rushrunningco?igsh=MTg1NjVqcmE2em53Mw%3D%3D

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!