Curious about how one CEO transformed a modest franchise into an industry giant with 162 locations?
In this episode of the Legacy podcast Paul chats with Kim Gubera, the powerhouse CEO of Pirtek USA. She shares her incredible journey from corporate controller to leading an empire specializing in mobile hydraulic and industrial hose repair. Kim opens up about the strategic decisions and personal challenges she faced while transitioning from a financial role to overseeing all aspects of the business. Learn about the unique business model of Pirtek USA and how Kim’s hands-on leadership style and commitment to addressing cultural issues contributed to their impressive growth across the US and Canada.
Kim doesn’t just stop at business insights; she dives into her personal philosophies about money and legacy, shaped by her experiences growing up in poverty. Discover how her frugal mindset and view of money as a tool, rather than a goal, have guided her career and leadership style. Kim also discusses the vital role of mentorship in her life and her unwavering commitment to honesty and advocacy for her employees and franchise owners. If you’re looking for a heartfelt and informative conversation on leadership, growth, and the true meaning of success, this episode is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
- Early Life and Career Path: Initially starting as a corporate controller, she transitioned to the role of CEO at Pirtek USA. Her background in finance and her 24 years of experience in franchising played a crucial role in her ascent. She discusses the challenges she faced in shifting from a financial focus to overseeing all aspects of the business, emphasizing the need for a strong team to manage different areas effectively.
- Mentorship and Leadership Style: Kim emphasizes the importance of mentorship in her career. She credits her mentors, including Ken Hutchison and the founder’s son, for their invaluable guidance. Their mentorship helped her navigate the complexities of her transition and the broader business landscape. Her leadership style, which she discovered to be more people-oriented than she initially thought, involves caring deeply about the individuals she works with and maintaining transparency and integrity in all interactions.
- Navigating Cultural Challenges: One of the first initiatives Kim undertook as CEO was to personally visit each franchise owner. This hands-on approach helped her address cultural issues within the organization, fostering transparency, honesty, and integrity. This initiative laid the foundation for the company’s subsequent growth.
- Resiliency as a Key to Success: Kim identifies resiliency as a critical attribute for successful franchise owners. She shares inspiring success stories, including franchise owners who have overcome significant challenges and technicians who have transitioned into successful franchise owners themselves. Her emphasis on resiliency highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability in achieving business success.
Connect with Paul here:
Website: https://innovativewealth.com/
Instagram: https://businesslegacypodcast.com/
Connect with Kim here:
Website: https://pirtekusafranchise.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pirtek-usa/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/pirtek_usa/
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About Kim:
As Chief Executive Officer at PIRTEK USA, Kim is responsible for the U.S. and Canadian operations of the company. Bringing more than 20 years of franchising experience and leadership to her current role at PIRTEK USA, Kim is focused on developing the franchise network, ensuring outstanding franchise support, and driving profitable growth within the franchise system by keeping corporate employees and franchise owners working together fervently to achieve shared goals. Strengthening and expanding the Brand within the U.S. is the primary value strategy as brand strength is beneficial to both the franchisor and franchisee. Under her leadership, the brand has increased the number of units by more than 75% in just over four years. Prior to joining PIRTEK USA, Kim began her career in accounting, earned an MBA, became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and worked her way up to Director of Finance at U.S. Lawns, another U.S. franchise brand. Kim joined PIRTEK USA in 2016, as the organization’s Corporate Controller. She was promoted to CFO and Vice President in 2018 and assumed her current role in January of 2019. Kim also holds the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the International Franchise Association.
Chapters With Summaries
Franchising Success and Business Growth
00:01
This chapter explores the journey of Kim Gubera, CEO of Pirtek USA, as she transitioned from her role as corporate controller to leading the company. We discuss the unique business model of Pirtek, which specializes in mobile hydraulic and industrial hose repair, and its impressive growth to 162 franchise locations in the US and Canada. Kim shares insights into her leadership style, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges she faced shifting from a financial focus to overseeing all aspects of the business. Additionally, we touch on the cultural issues she addressed early in her tenure by personally visiting each franchise owner to understand their concerns and build a foundation for growth.
Legacy and Financial Philosophies
14:42
This chapter explores the evolving beliefs about money and legacy with Kim Gabera, CEO of Pirtek USA. Kim shares her personal journey from growing up in poverty to achieving success, emphasizing that her frugal approach and philosophy about money have remained consistent. She highlights the importance of using money as a tool rather than a goal and discusses her commitment to honesty and advocacy in her interactions with employees and franchise owners. Kim aspires to be remembered for making a difference in people’s lives, being an honest advisor, and driving success for others. She also provides insights on where to follow Pirtek USA’s activities online.
