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Laugh, Love, Learn, Leave Legacy~Paul Broome
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Laugh, Love, Learn, Leave Legacy~Paul Broome
August 14, 2010
Laugh, Love, Learn, Leave Legacy–Paul Broome
By Mary Pechar
Caught at the 40 on 40 celebration,
that’s 40 years on 40 Hwy,
are Ryan, Judy and Paul Broome,
and Amy Broome-Archer.
These simple, yet powerful words sum up Paul Broome’s life mission. Paul is the owner of Broome Cadillac and recently celebrated 40 years of business. Being a business owner in today’s economic debacle is a significant accomplishment, running a successful business even more so. But that is just a small part of Paul, his contributions and of his accomplishments.
Laugh…
“Having a good attitude is critical, both in business and in life. I laugh at myself and with my people,” Broome explained. Walk in the door of the dealership and you are greeted with a smile and you feel the effects of laughter in the air.
Love…
“I love the business, the people I work with, the community, most especially, my family. I am so glad they are in the store. I love this industry. I’m not what you might call a car guy. I don’t collect them, race them, show them, I just love the industry,” Broome continued.
Learn…
Married to a school teacher and involved in several endeavors around education, Paul is a life long learner. Learning to change with the times with what is happening in the industry is critical to not getting stagnant.
Leave legacy…
Leaving a legacy is obviously important to Paul and his wife Judy. Giving back to the community has become a part of their daily lives. Being involved in several civic organizations are another opportunity to laugh and learn. His love of the automobile industry drives him to make it better from his involvement. Charitable opportunities are their way of life. They are very involved in a Grain Valley education project, Scouting and more. “I just want to leave things better,” Paul said.
The Missouri auto dealers are donating a car for the Special Olympics raffle. The dealers may be giving away a Ford, but Broome continues to do his part selling tickets and promoting the event.
Broome Cadillac sells a high end product, but they do it with a small town feel in their approach. They have created a place where people know who they are dealing with and know that those folks can relate to them. “We take our responsibility to do a great job in sales and service very seriously,” Broome explained. “But we do it in a very laid back manner with a focus on face to face interaction.”
The Broome’s kids are employed in the dealership, not as the owner’s kids but as good employees. Paul is very proud of the work they do. Son Ryan, a Lee’s Summit High School graduate, is General Manager and does just that. If something needs to be done, Ryan is there. He knows the business inside and out and can and does fill any role as needed. Daughter, Amy Broome-Archer is Treasurer/Controller and runs the office. Amy is a Lee’s Summit North graduate.
“My wife Judy, has supported me from day one. She raised the kids, mowed the grass, taught school at Mason Elementary, encouraged me, tolerated a lot of stuff and makes great sourdough bread.” You get an immediate sense of the team that is the Broomes.
Enumerating on the industry Paul said, “The automotive business can be very non-forgiving and success can change overnight. You have to bring your A game everyday. The industry is continually faced with new challenges, legislative, regulatory. We are somewhat at the mercy of the manufacturers. We represent their products and in the last few years have brought a lot of requirements from facility modernization to image programs.”
“40 years ago there were basically three manufacturers. Today there are over 30. China and India are trying to get a foothold in the U.S. Mahindra, a tractor company in India now has car and truck lines. 40 years ago having a quality product was the game. Now having a quality product is just a ticket to the game, you have to do a lot more today. We have a small market segment, but it is still there.”
Broome is not finished building his legacy–when asked what the future holds, his list is long. Continuing his involvement with the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) and the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Kansas City is important and Broome has used that involvement to further another great cause. Education is a very important issue and, not the least of which is ensuring an environment that supports the best possible teachers. MADA became a sponsor of the Missouri Teacher of the Year program in 2008.
Paul and Judy are very involved with the Truman Medical Center – Lakewood’s neonatal intensive care unit. Several years ago the center completed its largest ever capital campaign, raising more than $3 million for the unit. The initiative would not have succeeded without the leadership of Broome and several others. Paul serves on the Lakewood Philanthropy Board of Directors. He remains active in the Raytown Rotary Club and in the Raytown, Lee’s Summit and Independence Chambers of Commerce. There is more work to be done with a Grain Valley educational initiative and he intends to lend more support to the Boy Scouts.
“I love the car business, so I have no trouble getting up in the morning and going to work,” Broome says. “We have a reputation at this store of a family-feel – I really do have an admiration, respect and a love of the people who work here.” So while he looks toward the day that he spends less time in the store, retirement or slowing down are not in the vocabulary.
The legacy couldn’t be clearer than when talking with Amy. “I grew up knowing that my Dad loved going to work every day. He was passionate about being in the car business and that translated to our home environment. It is exciting to come to work on a daily basis with my Dad, who still enjoys his career 40 years after it began. He embraces the people he works with and treats them as part of our family as well. I consider it a great pleasure to work alongside such a compassionate, sincere, forthright individual that I get to call my Dad.”
Stop in at Broome Cadillac today, located at 11911 U.S. 40, Independence or call them (816) 358-2500.
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