The UCCEO team recently had a fantastic and eye-opening visit with Rob and Amanda Sullivan at Anna Tire & Auto Center!! 🚗🔧
From the moment we arrived, our young professionals were fully engaged—thanks in part to a few adorable four-legged helpers, Enzo and Maverick 🐾—but even more so because of the incredible insight shared throughout the visit. Students walked away with a deeper understanding of the automotive industry, not just from the mechanical side, but from the business perspective as well. Learning about the education, certification process, and the innovative use of technology—like VR training and specialized glasses to assist with precision work—was both fascinating and impactful.
Amanda shared openly about her journey as a business owner in a traditionally male-dominated field, and her confidence, knowledge, and leadership made a lasting impression. She spoke about the importance of standing firm in your values, earning respect, and not allowing others to diminish your role—powerful lessons that resonated deeply with our students, especially those pursuing careers in similar industries.
Zoe Chen shares her takeaways from the visit:
“On Wednesday, our CEO team visited Anna Tire & Auto with Amanda Sullivan. This visit was really interesting, and the little puppies were a huge plus. One thing that really stood out to me during this visit was the confidence Mrs. Sullivan exuded. She knows she is in the minority when it comes to running this business, as she is not only a woman but also in a male-dominated field. Yet, despite this, she remains sure of herself and confident in her abilities. This was amazing to see, as I’ve never really been that confident in myself or my interests, especially when it comes to sharing them with others. Mrs. Sullivan was not only confident but also knowledgeable in each answer she gave us about the automotive side of the business, even though she mainly handles the business side of things. I admire that about her, as she is not afraid to stand up to those who judge her.
This connects to an important point she mentioned during the visit: if a customer didn’t like her running the shop, she stood her ground and refused to tolerate disrespect. This was really empowering to hear, as I’ve always grown up with the saying that ‘the customer is always right’. Yet, even though Mrs. Sullivan doesn’t follow this idea, she is still able to run a successful business with customers who respect and value her work. I will carry this lesson into my future when I own my own engineering firm. I will respect myself and my business and not allow others to take advantage of me. I really enjoyed this visit and learned a lot.”
We also appreciated hearing the story behind Anna Tire & Auto, from its roots in Lick Creek to the thriving, community-focused business it is today. Amanda and Rob’s pride in their work, commitment to quality, and attention to detail were evident in every part of the conversation. Students gained a new perspective on the importance of trusting qualified professionals and the responsibility that comes with running a reputable business.
Perhaps most meaningful was the reminder of how much Anna Tire & Auto gives back to our community. Their continued support of local events, organizations, and even our CEO class business does not go unnoticed. We are incredibly grateful for their investment in our program and in the future of Union County.
Thank you, Amanda and Rob, for your time, transparency, and encouragement. Your story, leadership, and generosity are making a difference! 👏
#UnionCountyCEO #ThankYou #CommunityStrong #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness
