A reverse pyramid is unthinkable. But what if it’s possible? Obviously, it is not about toppling the actual pyramid. In an organization, the power structure often works in a pyramid-like shape, where the owner sits on the top and controls others to impact the market. The power trickles down step by step.
However, it has a drawback as the base is finite and expansion depends on the distance between the owner and the foundation. Whereas, if someone structures his or her company with an upside-down pyramid shape, he or she could open up infinite possibilities. At the bottom, the leader would inspire people and show them a direction for growth, all the while syncing their belief with a common goal. And in an ideal state, these people will hone their talents and explore opportunities for the company. Thus, inviting the growth of unprecedented scales.
Rarely one can find a leader who believes in the second move. It requires an out of the box thinking capacity and not many are eager to invest their time in developing something this extraordinary. Most people, running a business, prefer a safer method with less risk. But there are leaders like Tyler Bray who will go off the track for a different perspective and launch measures to ensure advancements.
How did he Start?
A simple tete-a-tete with his father at the age of 14 was life-changing for Tyler Bray. That was the moment of epiphany when he became aware of his dreams and came to know about how to pursue it in more practical ways. He chose to follow his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps and found a guiding figure in him who promised to stay by his side. His father chose to encourage him by walking the extra mile and going beyond some pieces of advice. He decided to help him set up his venture by allowing him to flip a few parts from his inventory.
Soon after the revelation, Tyler took a pause for a few days to complete his 9th Grade and as soon as he finished, he started listing those parts on eBay and Craigslist. Since then, his business has achieved continuous flourishing.
The name of his business has a familiar connection. Tyler Bray had no idea how to name a business, but then, his brother Kane came up with an easy solution. It was his idea to use their gaming pseudonym as the title. They named it TK Trailer Parts, where TK was inspired by their initials.
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The Blues
The journey forward was not always hunky-dory. Starting at a young age has several drawbacks, like missing out on teenage years and losing touch with friends. In his own words, “I was so obsessed and passionate, I started off working from 8:00 every morning often until 2:00 the next morning. This allowed me to hit 1M in revenue in my first year in business. I loved it starting out, that sense of actually doing something and building was amazing. This went on for about 2 years until I was 16.” Then he hit a snag.
Tyler felt “complacent, hired people and became bored.” His innovations slowed down and as a result, he became depressed. “I started feeling like I missed out on my own childhood and worse.”
But he didn’t take much time to feel “horrible for feeling horrible.” He realized that he has this amazing business and he has to give it his best.
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Recouping
Tyler’s mother played a notable role in his renaissance. To recuperate from the sense of loss and his brief phase of dubiety, he had a long chat with his mother, where he decided to resume his studies. He went to live in Allen, Texas. Alone. To find his mojo back. He finished his senior year of high school, where he experienced all the teenage things.
But it had its side-effects as he turned a bit careless and “let certain things slide” with his business. When he came back, he had to work double, throughout the day and night, to steer back the business on its track. Reminiscing now about those haywire days give him the chills of a roller-coaster ride where he witnessed slumps, learned new things, and lived an unconventional life.
For Tyler Bray, this journey has also been an emotional one. In his early days, he saw struggles as they lived in a one-bedroom apartment with eight family members and then the days with constant ups and downs. He had to think of building a team while writing papers in his college. This balancing act gave him some mileage and taught him how he could turn things in his favor.
But after getting through those harrowing days when he ponders, he realizes that “there is always something that can be improved upon.” He encourages himself by saying, “yes, it’s slow, but do something about it rather than blame it on the market.” His insights provide a bigger picture where he focuses more on a sustainable outcome, “I would focus more time on my biggest asset, my team and instead of working just to feel productive, I would work towards generated results.”
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Why TK Trailer Parts?
In an outdated industry, it is always better to bring in some radical change to usher in a holistic transformation. Tyler knew exactly what to infuse in the industry. The sector needed an outlook that would go in sync with contemporary needs, which inspired him to approach the market from a more modernized way. His initiatives to simplify the buying process for customers can vouch for it.
This new way of dealing made the purchase of these products a cakewalk and curbed downtimes that were provoked by logistical inadequacies. It is Tyler’s attempt to understand what might hold back his customers from their standpoint has given him an edge, which he is using to develop new strategies. Moreover, it has led to innovations that inspired envy in their competitors’ minds.
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Take on Leadership
Tyler’s take on leadership is quite unique in its appeal. He votes for an empathetic one and he believes that only such leaders can evolve as influential. This provides any business owner with a different set of expertise as his primary job is to take care of his team members. For Tyler Bray, “a business serves its customers, and the business owner serves his/her team members is a fundamental concept.”
He further opines, “I integrate this mentality within my business through my own actions. I ask every one of my direct reports, what do you enjoy about your job, what part of your job do you enjoy least, and in a year from now, where would you like to be?” He finds this insightful as he says, “you find out what is most important to them, and in doing so, not only are you showing your team that you care for them on a personal level, but discover where their passion and goals lie.”
As a business leader, it is essential to align goals with the leadership team and let that mentality percolate from there. This will bring all on the same page and they will strive together to realize the company’s vision.
Setting up this culture in a smaller business is easier but when the business starts growing larger, the onus of aligning all with the company’s vision falls on the leadership team. They have to find replicable ways to make sure that the company’s culture lasts long.
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Going Virtual
The one on one chats to understand how each person is coping up with their crises is difficult when things go virtual. Still, as a leader, one has to find ways to have those conversations and receive feedback on performance. It helps in setting a premise for effective communication among employees where ideas and innovations are encouraged.
However, keeping employees engaged is a tough process. It requires stimulation, which one can have when there are innovation and growth.
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Building an Image
A leader can never have a boring image. It affects the mentality of his team. As Tyler thinks, “as a leader, you do not have to follow, ‘best practices,’ this is your circus and you’re the ringmaster.” However, it has some deterrents. When the business starts growing, this mentality “often gets lost.”
Tyler’s ways are in sync with the time. His methods of operation are flexible and create scope for expansion to ease the process of incorporating latest technologies. Tyler Bray’s enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, and the ability to inspire people in giving their best are setting a strong premise for greater goals. With passing time, these factors will yield more.
