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SPECIAL FEATURE
Our daughter Rebecca met a caricature
artist at the Off Shore Technology
conference this past May and was fast
to contact him to join our celebration. I
believe his live caricature drawings were
the biggest hit of the night; he was busy
non-stop for six hours and had the group
laughing along as he drew couples and
individuals. He traveled 4 hours to be
with us and will be asked to return in the
future! Rebecca presented the Hart family
legacy and the services provided by DHR
to the group before dinner, we had photos
and videos showcasing each department.
Following dinner, we had a local company
send a host for live trivia with teams of
one-six. It got pretty competitive and lively!
Lastly, we raffled off a turkey for Christmas
and sent our guests home with a gift. Each
employee received a tin of small batch
candied pecans, a new hoodie, beanie,
koozies, and a set of commemorative
etched glasses.
During your Christmas party in December
2024, you recognized some employees who
also celebrated anniversaries. Why was it
important to recognize them?
Betty Hart: We recognized each person
with 5 or more years for their service,
highlighting roles they've each played
over the years as the acknowledgement
of gratitude and thankfulness. The
atmosphere was pride, appreciation,
loyalty given and received, a sense of
belonging and achievement, and that we
are all a big extended family.
Don Hart: Everyone big and small always
enjoys a pat on the back and recognition of
a job well done. When we do the day-to-day
duties at work, sometimes the rush of the
day skips over a person that has done
a terrific job. If an employee decides to
be a part of our business and is faithful,
dedicated and invested with our values
they should be recognized and appreciated
especially in front of their peers. Those are
the mentors and leaders. Recognizing their
devotion to their job empowers them to
continue doing their best for the customer
and company.
What advice do you have for other business
owners and members in NARSA? How can
they succeed?
Don Hart: Let your employees know they
are appreciated and it's a " team " effort. Pay
them a good wage and provide equipment
and tools that will assist them to do the
job needed, help them when they are in
need, and find ways you can communicate
with them. Look for other avenues where
you can grow your business if just radiator
repair is not cutting it. Invest in yourself
and your business. Have a mentor that
understands business and is willing to share
knowledge and experience that you can
use to build your business. Always try your
best to be positive and excited with your
business. Don't get complacent, get out and
hustle for your business. I have two mottos
that our employees know very well:
* " Sell, Sell, Sell! " Always be selling!
* " Ink it, don't think it! " Meaning, write it
down, don't trust it to memory. You will
forget. Write down goals, ideas or details
you will need down the road. Simple
30 | THE COOLING JOURNAL | January/February 2025
written goals every New Years, then daily
revisit, adjust and ACT on them during
will get results, guaranteed!
Betty Hart: When Don and I joined NARSA
around 1988, we were a 3-person shop. Don
had been exposed to NARSA through his
older brother. However, when his brother
was involved, Don was a general low-level
employee that was not exposed to the
benefits of other owners talking about
challenges and rewards. Once Don had
his own shop, he knew he needed to seek
out others in the same business and who
were facing the same challenges that he
was battling. Once he got over the hump
of shyness and started meeting and talking
with others, we have never looked back.
Seeing how the radiator industry has
evolved over the past 40 years makes you
realize that people in those early days were
right in seeing the benefit of an association
like NARSA. Some of the men who started
this organization saw a need, acted on that
need and desire to make their business
better and for the entire industry to be
one of good character and honorable
work. The industry individuals that look
for positive, productive, and informative
business practices will always be the active
workers in an organization. A tremendous
amount of gratitude is extended to our
predecessors showing the new generations
to take that torch and keep it lit and active.
I find it interesting that our children and the
children of previous board members are
now leading the charge in this association
and looking at the existing ways and
adapting new practices to align with the
world of 2025.

2025_JanFebCJ

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