By Kimberly Ballard

John Shields of Century Automotive Group: Let Luck and Wisdom Guide You

By Kimberly Ballard / Photo by Steve Babin

“Sitdown with Success” spotlights local entrepreneurs who describe their successes and failures, with tips for upcoming business owners. For the full-length interview, visit huntsvillebusinessjournal.com.

Huntsville was a small, but booming, town when John Shields first came to Huntsville from Detroit via Jacksonville, Fla. in 1968 to train a group of six car salesmen for Royal Chevrolet. Months later, when speaking to a banker about buying out his partners, he secured the loan because “…there are two things for certain – Coca-Cola and Chevrolet!”

At 83, his daughter and son-inlaw Tracy and George Jones own and manage the business but John is still active and discusses the challenges he faced in building today’s Century Automotive Group.

What are some of the challenges the business has faced through the years?

We have faced several crises through years, some of them critical.

In the early years, I had a negative net worth. I was about 115 percent leveraged with no equity. My dad helped me by co-signing on loans for me. It wasn’t easy but I eventually put it together.

Then there was the 1972 energy crisis when the oil supply was cut off and we were not getting or selling cars.

In the 1970s, LBJ moved the space program to Houston. Before that, Huntsville was a boomtown.

Then there was a GM strike that was bad. We could we not get cars for six weeks.

In the 1980s, interest rates hit 20.5 percent; followed by a labor strike; the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis; and now the pandemic.

What is the key to your success?

Very simply, luck and wisdom. Being lucky enough to have a daughter who is smarter than me and the wisdom to get out of her way.

Tracy (Jones) was a CPA with Price Waterhouse when I made her comptroller, but she never answered to me as her boss, and we had an understanding - tell me about the problem after you get it fixed. You know what I can’t teach you, and I have confidence you will figure it out.

That was 20 years ago. It was an easy transition.

After so many years in the automotive business, what do you think of the car industry?

Competitively there seems to be room for everybody. The real competition is the electric car.

I don’t see a guy out there in the country using a driverless pick-up truck, so I don’t think the driverless cars are gaining much traction, but electric cars are.

Jaguar tells us that by 2025, all their cars will be electric.

What advice do you have for someone opening a business in Huntsville now?

Today is a good time to open any kind of business in Huntsville.

I think finding something you like and have a passion for is important. I’ve always liked cars and I was willing to work hard and do what a lot of people today are not willing to do to be successful. w

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Coming Soon to Huntsville: Scooter’s Drive-Thru Coffee

By Lori J. Connors / Photos courtesy of Crunkleton

For those of you who like to grab and go with your morning cup o’ Joe, mark your calendars. In April 2022, Scooter’s Coffee will open its first Huntsville location.

The Nebraska-based drive-thru coffee franchise promises an enticing assortment of high-quality coffee drinks, smoothies, teas, and breakfast items.

Over the past couple of decades, Scooter’s has become one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country.

In 1998, Co-founders Don and Linda Eckles opened the very first Scooter’s in Bellevue, NE. Originally known as “Scooter’s Java Express,” it quickly became “Scooter’s” because the name was catchy, and it fit the company’s mission of keeping customers happy by helping them “scoot in and scoot out” with their perfect cup of coffee.

The secret to Scooter’s’ 23 years of success is largely due to Scooter’s commitment to its original business principles and company core values. It’s important to find a great location, stay committed to high-quality, speed of service, and offer up a BIG smile. Scooter’s goal is for guests to order and receive their beverage within 40 seconds, a deadline they always strive to meet.

Scooter’s quality and speedy service were huge draws for owners Cole and Emily Harris. After spending several years considering a variety of franchise concepts in various industries, the Harrises quickly embraced the coffee business. Scooter’s proved to be a highly appealing franchise opportunity because of its mission to connect with coffee farmers directly, support franchise owners, and desire to build relationships with its team members.

The location on Governors Drive was selected because of its visibility from Memorial Parkway and the high volume of traffic that passes by each day. It’s also conveniently close to downtown, Huntsville Hospital, Twickenham Square, and all points in between.

Scooter’s roasts select coffee from the top 10 percent of specialty coffee beans in the world – high quality beans that are sourced from Costa Rica. “We have lots of incredible choices when it comes to coffee,” said Ms. Harris. “Scooter’s will serve a coffee flavor-of-the-day as well as seasonal items.” Scooter’s most popular drink is the Caramelicious— a signature espresso with frothy hot milk, sweetened up with caramel sauce, then topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. As the majority of Scooter’s are exclusively drive-thru, the Huntsville location will also follow suit. Guests will be able to make a quick dash to Scooter’s to grab a coffee, a smoothie, or a breakfast item without missing a beat.

Scooter’s is quickly approaching the 400 mark with several more locations currently in the works. Once the Governors Drive location gains a solid foothold, the Harrises plant to open additional locations here in the Rocket City.

“I am originally from Huntsville, and I’ve had a front-row seat as new creative concepts have entered the market,” said Ms. Harris. “We believe the city will embrace Scooter’s—especially with it being so close to medical facilities, apartments, and retail centers. The franchise has been successful in every market it has entered. We can’t wait to welcome customers next year.”

Scooter’s: Amazing People, Amazing Drinks…Amazingly Fast!® and the Harrises are thrilled to be bringing it all to the Rocket City.

For more information, go to: www.scooterscoffee.com. You can also follow the coffee kiosk on Facebook and Instagram. w