Dealer Spotlight: Meet Jeremy Storry

Having spent most of his career climbing the corporate ranks in the financial and retail banking industry, Jeremy developed a passion for business and serving customers. He spent much of his career executing programs, building strategic partnerships, driving results, and fostering strong teams. He is a proponent of using data to uncover opportunities to become better at what we do. In 2020, armed with his broad corporate experience, analytical and leadership skills and commitment to customer service excellence, Jeremy made the leap to entrepreneurship by joining the Canadian Tire Dealer network!

So, what inspired Jeremy to become a Canadian Tire Dealer?

Inspired by his entrepreneur father, Jeremy dabbled in business ownership from a young age, mowing lawns in his neighbourhood for cash and selling firecrackers to friends (before getting caught by his school principal!). However, as he grew older, the allure of entrepreneurship was tempered by the need for stability and predictability as his family grew. Jeremy secured himself a corporate career and progressed through various senior leadership roles. ?

Mid-way through his corporate career, Jeremy found himself in a situation that many other leaders have faced – being unexpectedly out of a job. Jeremy found that he now had the opportunity to deeply reflect and re-evaluate his next steps. He asked himself, what am I good at? What do I enjoy? What should I avoid??What am I all about? It was in those reflective moments that he recognized the elements of his career that he had the most passion for: building teams, using data to drive his decision making and to serve customers, and leading change. He also recognized his need for variety in his day-to-day work.?This, combined with a desire to work for himself, led Jeremy to reconsider entrepreneurship. He then came upon the Dealer opportunity at Canadian Tire, a model that offered sustainability, support, and growth, while aligning with his skillset and passions. Jeremy began volunteering in his local Canadian Tire store to see what the role was all about, before applying and being selected to join the Canadian Tire Dealer network.

What have been Jeremy’s biggest learnings transitioning from corporate senior leadership roles to the Dealer role?

#1. The speed and quantity of change involved in the retail business

As a customer you see the front-facing lens into the business, but as a Dealer you see what goes on behind the scenes to operate and seasonally change over a store. From constantly turning over inventory, introducing new products, implementing new systems, technology, and new customer experience initiatives to enhance store navigation, etc. Says Jeremy,

“I have a huge whiteboard in my office that’s covered with projects and priorities.” Contrary to his corporate experience, “we are constantly changing at a speed I would have never anticipated!”

#2. The true partnership, alignment and support between the Dealer and Corporation

The amount of support provided by the Corporation to Dealers, and the consideration and integration Dealers have as key stakeholders in company decision making, are examples of the strong relationship that exists between the Corporation and Dealers. Jeremy was gratified to learn about this when he transitioned to his new role.

“I have been really impressed with the alignment and partnership the Dealers have with the Corporation – it’s a true partnership, one that makes moves and decisions with the best interest of both parties in mind and for common success”.

What advice would Jeremy give someone looking to leave their established corporate career to become an entrepreneur with Canadian Tire?

#1. “Get into a store to volunteer – you’ve got to see it for yourself!”

Before applying, Jeremy took the time to understand what becoming a Dealer was all about. Volunteering in-store allowed him to observe the business, its complexities and the realities of what to expect in his Dealer career. States Jeremy,

“I never went into this journey telling myself I wanted to be a CEO and sit in my office all day, I went into this journey telling myself I wanted to be a Dealer.”

A jack of all trades, Jeremy regularly spends time on the retail floor, engaged with his staff and community. Some days he can be found unloading trucks and mopping floors, but he is simultaneously the Head of HR, CFO and COO of his enterprise, crafting and executing his strategic vision.

#2. “Make sure your loved ones are on board”

The journey to becoming a Dealer won’t just impact you – it will also impact your loved ones. It is a significant change and a big deal to move provinces to get your first Canadian Tire store. ?Before Jeremy became a Dealer and uprooted his family, moving from Toronto to British Columbia, his family had made moves to various urban centres to support his corporate career. Having their support for this next adventure was so critical to Jeremy’s success. He advises,

“make sure they are on board, it’s a big move and a big commitment – one that is life changing.”

#3. “Just go for it!”

Being a Dealer is “so fun” says Jeremy.

“I get my energy at work – I am excited to wake up each morning, it’s an exhilarating feeling to be able to walk into my own store each day.”

If you’ve volunteered in a store and you’ve got your loved ones on board, then “get at it! It’s the best career ever.”

Special thanks to Jeremy for sharing his insights and perspectives on the early days of his Dealer journey. The Merritt community and the Canadian Tire Dealer Network are very grateful to have you!

Are you looking to make the move from the corporate world to become an entrepreneur? Always wanted to own your own enterprise? If so – our team would love to chat! @CanadianTireCorporation is actively seeking new Dealers to join our growing network. Stand beside Jeremy and a network of close to 500+ entrepreneurs to boldly shape the next generation of retail in Canada. Apply now!

Written by: Melissa Mazza & Brenda Heatley