february2023 - 42

TALES FROM THE ROAD
Being in control
This Cornwell tool dealer enjoys running his
own business and all the perks it comes with.
By Kayla Nadler, Contributing Editor
A
fter years of having a desk job
with an impressive job title,
Andre Ansenault felt like he
was running the company but didn't
have all the perks. When his father
retired as a Cornwell Quality Tools
distributor five years ago, he asked
Ansenault if he wanted to run his own
business and take over.
It wasn't something that Ansenault
admits that he would've sought out
on his own, but after seeing how his
father made a career of it, and he was
already familiar with the business, that
he decided to go for it. And he's glad
that he did.
" It's running my own business, " he
says. " It's overwhelming on certain days
but it's pretty nice at the end of the day
to know that I'm my own boss, and I'm
in control of everything. "
For the past four years, Ansenault has
been running his route in North Shore,
Mass., visiting his fair share of both
dealerships and independent shops in
the automotive and collision industries.
Perhaps the main thing he has
learned since starting is that nothing
goes as planned, and that is okay.
" Every day is different regardless
of what you have planned for the day
and where you think it's going to go, " he
says. " It's not going to go as planned. You
have to learn to roll with it and make
What's your story?
Share the ups and downs of life on the road
with us at Editor@VehicleServicePros.com
and you could be featured in our next Tales
from the Road column.
Ansenault says the key to this tool-selling business is, " Do what you say you're going to do and
be where you say you'd be. "
Photography: Andre Ansenault
the most of it. Just try to do your best
to be consistent. "
Ideally, as Ansenault notes, the key
to this tool-selling business is, " Do what
you say you're going to do and be where
you say you're going to be. "
As with factors that are out of one's
control, such as COVID-19, back orders,
and supply chain issues, Ansenault
says it best to plan for them and to take
advantage of them instead of " just getting
by like a chicken with its head cut off. "
When first starting out, Ansenault
was only focused on making money.
He now understands the importance of
planning for the future by setting goals,
knowing what he wants to get out of
his business, and, ultimately, making
his business as bullet-proof as possible.
As for his customers, Ansenault
is very personable and takes the time
to listen to their stories each week. He
wants his customers to feel comfortable
approaching him, but still ensures to
" toe the line and still be professional. "
42 Professional Distributor I February 2023 I VehicleServicePros.com
One area that Ansenault continues
to work on is figuring out a better work/
life balance. Having two young children,
he's still trying to find a way to make
the days go smoother and not to be on
the go so much all the time.
" Once I get that down, this will be
the ideal scenario. "
FUN FACTS:
Favorite Road Snack
Gold Rush beef jerky (that he
sells on his truck)
Music for the Road
Good old '80s rock
Favorite Takeout Spot
Usually packs own meals, but
would pick Chipotle
Favorite Hobbies
Fantasy sports or tinkering on
any sort of electronics
Random thing Sold
Samurai swords

http://www.VehicleServicePros.com

february2023

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