Allens close in on 40 years of working together in dealership

RICHMOND, Va. — Kay and Gary Allen know what you're thinking.

"There's no drama," they say in unison — through laughter, of course — on the phone from their office outside Richmond.

Is this married couple of 38 years talking about their home or their office?

"Neither," they respond, through more laughter.

They are like so many other couples deep into their fourth decade of marriage — laughing together, often finishing each other's sentences. What makes them unique is their co-ownership of Richmond-based Allen Tire Inc.

Mrs. Allen manages all the books for the operation, which has 55 employees at five locations. Mr. Allen manages the people, and by extension the sales and service.

"We can't decide whose job is worse," Mr. Allen said again as they both laughed. Then Mr. Allen quickly added he was "mostly" kidding.

• This story appeared in the Sept. 11 print edition of Tire Business.

Here is Mrs. Allen on making marriage and co-ownership work: "You have one service manager per job — that's for work, that's for home. Somebody always is the leader. We talk through it."

And here is Mr. Allen: "She is really, really good at what she does, and I'm good at what I do. So it's a perfect relationship."

They have known each other since both were children. Their fathers, Charlie Allen and Bill Nickels, worked together at a Firestone company store in Virginia for many years, and their families were good friends and spent time camping and doing other things together.

The elder Mr. Allen and Mr. Nickels eventually left Firestone and set up their own businesses near Richmond — Nickels Automotive and Allen Tire. The future Mr. and Mrs. Allen worked at their fathers' respective businesses in high school.

After high school, the pair got married at age 19. Not long after, Mr. Allen's mom, Rosalie — who did the bookkeeping for Allen Tire — needed help. Kay Allen received a job offer in her in-laws' business.

"I hesitated a little bit thinking about working with my in-laws and my husband all the time," Mrs. Allen said. "When I made the decision, it didn't come lightly. But every day since has been a blessing."

Mrs. Allen and her mother-in-law spent the next 25 years running the office together.

Allen Tire, started by Charlie Allen with one location on June 1, 1978, has blossomed into two locations in Richmond, two more in Midlothian, Va., and a fifth in Chester Va.

While Charlie and Rosalie Allen still own the business, Gary and Kay Allen began taking over the day-to-day operations 15 years ago. They handle virtually everything in-house, from payroll to other human resource-related items.

"We've been fortunate to retain a lot of really good talent," Mr. Allen said, noting more than half of their employees have spent at least 25 years at Allen Tire.

"It's hard work day-in and day-out, but we really aim to treat our customers like we like to be treated. We still have people doing business with us who started with us in 1978."

Mr. Allen talks with pride about the company's lean management structure, as it operates without a general manager. Mrs. Allen handles nearly all invoicing and paperwork, "We focus on what is the right thing for the company and our people," Mr. Allen said. "If it's hard on us. We suck it up. It's about long-range goals and not minute-to-minute stuff.

"I'll have an idea, and she helps me look at it from another angle. Then we merge the ideas and usually that's a good solution for the family or the business or both."

Their son Billy, 37, started as a tire changer in the shop at 15 and still is on staff. The Allens hope he will take over the business someday.

They also have a daughter, Crystal, who is not in the business, and two grandchildren.

"We'll talk all the way home about business and what went on that day, but the second we hit the driveway that's it," Mrs. Allen said. "You can't let it consume you."

"This wouldn't work for every couple. We have known each other since we were kids. We respect each other; we know when to back off; we care about each other's feelings."

There haven't been too many long vacations since they have operated Allen Tire, but they have found themselves spending more time lately on their wooded property and with their grandchildren.

"We're just worker bees," Mr. Allen said. "We both could retire, but we feel an obligation to our Allen Tire family that helped us get where we are and I wanted to help them get where they want to go.

"All the blood and tears, they are worth it."