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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Precision Tune Auto Care
‘Best footprints you can leave are your own’
Ron Pugh was born and raised in Pensacola. A consummate outdoorsman, Pugh loves hunting, fishing, golfing, scuba diving and jogging. Always busy, he had his first real job by the age of 13 and feels as if he hasn’t stopped working since. He loves the challenge of running his successful Precision Tune business. “I was 13 years old when I got my first real job other than mowing grass,” he says. “I worked for Tastee Freeze earning $1 per hour with all the ice cream and food I could eat. I mostly saved my money for big items such as a stereo system, car, etc. At 17, I started working for Gayfers Department Store while attending college.” Pugh is an example of the All-American small-business owner, growing up in a community, taking the most from every opportunity from sports all the way to education, and incorporating it all into successful business ownership. “I loved sports and at the age of 6 started playing baseball and football,” he says. “I continued playing until I graduated from High School.” In June 1981, he married his high school sweetheart, LeeAnn. Six months later, Gayfers promoted him to Operations Manager and transferred the couple to Jackson, Miss. “Moving from Pensacola was by far the toughest move on us,” he remembers. “It was hard moving away from friends and family. We knew our goal would be to eventually work our way back home.” Through the years, each promotion brought another move to a new area, resulting in family moves and transfers four times in 15 years. “We lived in Baton Rouge, Orlando, Clearwater and Mobile. When the company was sold, my position was Director of Human Resources for Mercantile Southeast, which consisted of 20 stores and approximately 10,000 employees. After working 26 years with one company, which was very good to me, the change was devastating. I was offered a job from the purchasing company along with several job offers with other companies up north, but I was not interested in moving away from our immediate family.” Pugh’s family had several businesses already established in the area, and Pugh moved back to run the family business when his mother was ready to retire. In June 2000, Pugh also opened a separate business, Precision Tune Auto Care in Gulf Breeze. “Working both businesses keeps me very busy,” he said, “but I love what I’m doing! I live in the area I love!” The key to Pugh’s success? “My philosophy in business is, ‘Take care of your employees and customers, and everything else will fall in place,’ “ he says. “One of my previous mentors had a saying that has stayed with me. ‘The best footprints you can leave on a business are your own.’ “I take a lot of pride in how I do things. I was taught, and taught my children, to always take pride in whatever you do. Look back at your performance and make sure you are happy with it because it is a reflection of you.” Pugh’s greatest joy is his family.
“I am very close to my family, and I love spending time with them,” he says. “I look forward to continue watching my sons go through life and their experiences. My first grandchild will be here at Christmas. We are so excited!” |
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