Every morning begins with quiet time—faith, reflection, and stretching my thought process. Recently, Pastor Chuck Swindoll’s devotional on Innovation sparked something big. Webster calls innovation “the introduction of something new.” Swindoll adds, “It takes guts to innovate, because it takes creative thinking. Thinking is hard, but creative thinking—ah, that’s work.”

He’s right. Creative thinking isn’t casual brainstorming; it’s challenging the status quo and refusing to settle. History’s great innovators—Edison, Ford, the Wright brothers—proved success is “1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” In business, I’ve seen the same among top-performing dealers—the “2 Percenters.” Their edge? Hard work fueled by curiosity and courage.

So, what does creative thinking look like? Earl Nightingale, the “Dean of Personal Development,” gave us a roadmap of 25 traits, and here’s how they come alive:
• Drive, Courage, Goals—the ambition engine.
• Knowledge, Good Health, Honesty—a foundation of strength and integrity.
• Optimism, Enthusiasm, Humor, Curiosity—energy and spark that fuels ideas.
• Judgment, Dynamism, Chance Taking, Enterprise, Persuasion, Outgoingness—push boundaries.
• Patient yet Impatient, Adaptability, Perfectionism—keeping progress balanced, steady.
• Versatility, Individualism (Self-Esteem), Imagination, Communication, Realism/Idealism, Receptive—turning thoughts into action.

Here’s the wow moment: you don’t need all 25 traits to succeed. Just having some means you’re capable. But here’s the kicker—creative thinking isn’t the hardest part. Change is. Embracing new tools, processes, and perspectives takes courage. It means letting go of “how we’ve always done it” and leaning into “what’s possible.”

As we face 2026, remember: creative thinkers expect achievement, seek better ways, and radiate positivity. They know attitude isn’t just important—it’s everything. Success isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. And progress begins with the willingness to think differently…and the guts to change.

Saturday night was historic: Indiana Hoosiers stunned THE Ohio State Buckeyes to win the Big Ten Championship. For a program long considered a conference underdog, this wasn’t luck—it was leadership. Curt Cignetti, the 64-year-old firebrand at the helm, didn’t just talk about winning. He declared it, owned it, and delivered.

Cignetti’s pedigree includes a championship ring from his time under Nick Saban at Alabama, but he’s carved his own path. From his first press conference—‘I win, Google me!’—to his unapologetic swagger when introduced at an Indiana basketball game, “Purdue sucks, so does Ohio State and Michigan,“ he set a tone: no more backseat, no more excuses. His record speaks louder than any quote: 25–2 since arriving in Bloomington.

What makes Cignetti different? He rejects hope as a strategy. His mantra: ‘This isn’t a hope and a prayer. This is a plan and execution.’ He doesn’t chase stars in recruiting; he builds culture. ‘Talent sets the floor. Culture sets the ceiling.’ And when asked about limitations? ‘We want to be the best. No self-imposed ceilings.’

The lesson is clear: success isn’t about slogans—it’s about standards. Talk the talk, yes—but walk the walk every day. Set the bar high, act elite, and execute relentlessly. As Cignetti says, ‘The standard is the standard. It doesn’t change because of who we play.’

As we close 2025, let’s take a page from Indiana’s playbook. Hope is not a plan. Define your standard. Build your culture. Execute your process. Then, when the moment comes, you won’t just dream of being #1—you’ll say it with confidence: ‘Google us.’

Curt Cignetti and team after the 2025 Big Ten Championship (photo: AP News)

As we pause on the eve of Thanksgiving, my heart is full of gratitude for the incredible people who make this company what it is. Our core value of GROW isn’t just a word—it’s a way of life here. We grow people, and in doing so, we grow possibilities.

This year, I’m especially thankful for the dedication and drive of our team. From winning new clients to strengthening relationships, you’ve shown what happens when talent meets determination. These successes aren’t just numbers—they’re proof of your hard work and the culture we’ve built together.

Beyond business, your commitment to giving back inspires me. Whether raising funds for charitable causes or volunteering in the community, you’ve demonstrated that growth isn’t only professional—it’s personal. You’ve embraced the idea of paying it forward, and that speaks volumes about who we are as a team.

I’m also deeply grateful for the innovation from our leadership that fuels our progress. Your relentless pursuit of excellence has created a ripple effect—leaders developing leaders, ideas sparking ideas. It’s a privilege to witness this kind of momentum.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s remember that gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s an action. Thank you for living out our values every day and for making this company stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.

Enjoy this special time with family and friends. Here’s to continuing to GROW together.

God Bless America!

Growing people is at the heart of what we do. For me, that means investing time—something that doesn’t always come easily when you’re wired to move fast. Yet I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about speed; it’s about consistency. Every day is a mission to help others grow.

Years ago, I heard a phrase that stuck: ‘Grow yourself by growing those around you.’ That’s the challenge I embrace daily. Some days are easier than others, but the responsibility never changes. As leaders, we carry the weight of helping people reach their potential. It’s not optional—it’s essential.

I often remind myself of John Maxwell’s words: ‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.’ That’s the standard. It requires patience, humility, and a willingness to show up even when it’s hard. Growth isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily practice.

Our people are everything. If they succeed, we all succeed—our company, our clients, our partners. Growth isn’t just a value; it’s survival. It’s the foundation for happiness, progress, and purpose.

So, we grow. Daily.

Picture Mission Control before a rocket launch: every system checked, every voice answering ‘Go’ or ‘No Go.’ One ‘No Go’ and the mission stops. Leadership is no different—alignment is everything.

After a whirlwind week of travel, I realized something: growing people isn’t easy. Everyone has their own ambitions, and sometimes they don’t match yours. The real challenge? Helping people see the mission and believe they can do more.

Our company is thriving—new clients, fresh initiatives, new hires. Growth is essential. But here’s the truth: company growth means nothing if we aren’t growing ourselves.

I understand a growth mindset  applies to me first and foremost, as Henry Kissinger said, “The task of the leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been.” Yet, sometimes that’s the most frustrating thing to me:  You pour energy into helping people grow, yet some never see what’s possible.

While the failure of personal growth might be as simple as someone who can’t see the forest for the trees, the cautionary note for any company is the Chinese proverb, ‘be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.’ My personal challenge, and the same for any leader, is to help people understand that if they’re not growing, they’re moving backwards.

In the Mission Control Room, the decision is binary: Go or No Go. In leadership, it’s similar. There are only two mindset evaluations: ‘Grow’ or ‘No Grow.’ The clear choice isn’t always easy.

Tuesday was a Green-Letter Day for our company (we don’t do red), marking a major shift in how advertising investments are made and measured.

We proudly announced the relaunch of our Media Department in the new year as Modern View: The Smarter Way to Connect Broadcast & Streaming. This milestone reflects our core value Grow — staying curious, asking questions, and always learning.

What our team achieved — with contributions from every department — is extraordinary. Like climbing Mt. Everest, the path wasn’t always straight, but the goal was clear: Up, always!

Modern View unifies broadcast TV and streaming to match how today’s car shoppers consume content. By integrating platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN with traditional TV, dealers gain consistent, targeted reach across all screens. Campaigns are tailored to dealer goals, media schedules are synchronized, and Strong’s proprietary Retain platform enables smarter audience targeting. Direct partnerships with premium networks ensure top-tier ad placements, boosting ROI and market saturation.

This isn’t just a new program — it’s a breakthrough. It’s not just about impressions anymore; it’s about accountability and measurable impact. Our team’s relentless pursuit of clarity and innovation made this possible.

We’ve raised the bar, but there’s always another mountain. To grow, you must embrace change, challenge yourself, and never settle.

Self. Team. Respect. Optimize. Nurture. Grow.

In the STRONG acronym, ‘Grow’ stands as the final and most forward-looking Core Value. It represents our commitment to continuous improvement—not just surviving, but thriving. To grow means to raise the bar, embrace change, challenge ourselves, and never settle. It’s about becoming better as individuals, as teams, and as a company.

Here’s what some of our team leaders had to say about growth:

Creative Director Gene Gill:  Experience matters – and our team has decades of it – but evolution matters more. Because success isn’t about driving change – it’s leading through it.

Chief Marketing Officer Michael Sundquist: We are built to evolve… dedicated professionals who live and breathe new technology and digital marketing, always one step ahead

Director of Organic Marketing Katie Myers: it’s our in-house team of experts who give AI tools and technology purpose – combining insight with experience to keep you ahead of the curve

Art Director Holly Blalock: design isn’t just about making things look good — it’s about making your message move people, helping you sell more cars, and stay ahead of the curve.

Director of Paid Social Kerri Boozer: custom solutions are just the starting line. We utilize strategy that’s relevant, efficient, and built to drive more qualified traffic and sales.

Director of Paid Ad Avery Arthur: every dealership is different. Inventory moves fast. Incentives change…shoppers jump between Google, YouTube, and Discover…we turn that chaos into growth.

Growth is not just a goal—it’s a mindset. The pursuit of excellence demands both skill and attitude. As we continue to evolve, it’s our passion, adaptability, and relentless drive that set us apart. Because in the end, attitude is everything—and excellence is always within reach.

Driving through the rain toward Pursell Farms, I’m reminded of the purpose behind our off-site leadership retreat. It’s more than a meeting—it’s a moment to reset, refocus, and nurture the very people who carry our mission forward.

This morning, Proverbs 27:17 was in my Bible reading: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” That’s the essence of nurture. Before we can pour into our clients and help them grow, we must first sharpen ourselves—our leaders, managers, and directors. We must be aligned, disciplined, and ready.

Even in the midst of year-end chaos, we pause. We take two days to clear the fog, to see beyond the noise, and to cast a vision that will guide us—and our clients—into the future.

Last year, I called this summit Visio Manifesto—clear vision. And today, despite the cloudy skies, I’m reminded of Johnny Nash’s timeless lyric: “I can see clearly now the rain is gone.” Written during his recovery from cataract surgery, it’s a metaphor for clarity to overcome a  struggle. This retreat is our moment to nurture the soul of our company. And from that, everything else flows.

Nurture is not just about growth. It’s about encouragement, refinement, and connection. It’s about investing in our people so they can invest in others. It’s about sharpening each other, so we’re ready—together—for whatever comes next.

My dear friend and mentor, Billy Harvill, would have been proud. Billy convinced me about the power of public speaking—how it can elevate confidence and inspire others. His nurturing spirit helped me overcome a fear common to the vast majority, and I carry that forward by helping our team grow in their communication skills.

Yesterday, for the second time this year, we welcomed staff from the Buckley Public Speaking School to work with six rising stars in our agency. They focused on style, delivery, and clarity—essential tools for confident communication. Watching their progress reminded me how vital it is to invest in people, not just professionally but personally.

Opportunities abound here, but it’s up to each individual to embrace the challenge. Speaking in front of peers isn’t easy, but twelve team members have done it this year. That effort reflects our commitment to nurturing talent.

Our work is demanding—always pushing for better—and these coaching sessions reaffirm our belief in elevating others. We invest time and resources because we believe in our people’s potential to serve clients exceptionally.

Nobel Prize winner George Bernard Shaw once said, ‘The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.’ The essence of our core value, Nurture, is to make communication easy, clear, timely, and intentional. Effective communication at every level matters today more than ever.

No question, Harvill would agree.

Life is full of highs and lows, and it’s during the toughest times that our core value of Nurture truly shines.

At our last monthly agency kickoff meeting, I shared a moment that brought this value into sharp focus. Reflecting on our journey with Nate Lytle, one of our earliest team members, I shared the printouts I still keep showing the months when our company wasn’t profitable. Thankfully, those months were few—but they were formative. They reminded us that the true measure of an organization is how it navigates adversity.

Our clients experience similar fluctuations—great months followed by tough ones. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to nurturing through both. We celebrate wins and dig deep during setbacks, always striving to keep our clients on track. Just like them, we all have good and bad days.

Nurture also means consistency. I have often spoken about Nick Saban, the legendary football coach. Watching him on the sidelines, you’d see him clapping and encouraging his players—even after an interception or a fumble. His support never wavered during mistakes. But when his team was comfortably ahead and made a mental error, that’s when he’d show frustration. Why? Because he demanded excellence, not just when it was easy, but especially when it was tempting to coast.

That’s nurturing leadership—motivating through failure and holding high standards through success. Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s quiet partner, once said, ‘Sometimes the tide is with us, and sometimes against. But we keep swimming either way.’

Consistency creates confidence. That’s the essence of Nurture