“A successful company creates jobs, jumpstarts the economy, and allows all of us to pursue the American Dream” states James Schaefer, Chief Operating Officer of DeliveryMaxx.
Schaefer explains, “The facts are simple. A small business that was developed, and financed with our own resources has led to jobs for 15 employees and the opportunity to spend their income on goods and services that employ others as well. As our company grows, so do opportunities for others.” “It is the ‘multiplicity effect’. It is not about the haves and have-nots! It is about opportunities created for all. Small business owners take personal risk after identifying advantages, perceived or otherwise, and if successful provide jobs, family vacations, medical care, and educational opportunities for future generations. If a father or mother is able to bring home income they are able to provide these things for their children.” Schaefer points out during one of his Small Business Summits.
The Declaration of Independence, one of our nation’s foundational documents, states in simple eloquence a philosophy of government which is profound, viable, and Biblically correct. In the words of the Declaration written by President Thomas Jefferson,
We hold these truths to be self–evident,
That all men are created equal,
That they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
That among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
The constitution states that we all have the right to pursue “Life, Liberty, and Happiness”. It does not guarantee us “Life, Liberty, and happiness.” So why are businesses, no matter the size, made to look like evil empires by some media outlets? Why do some politicians stir up emotions of some that they are entitled to these rights? The word “Pursue” is left out of this argument all too often, and that has created a “fundamental war” between the “haves” and “have-nots”.
Mr. Schaefer gleams about the business partner he found in Co-Founder, Josh Deaton. Mr. Deaton has taken on the role of Chief Executive Officer for DeliveryMaxx. Mr. Deaton’s story is a story like many other great American business owners.
Josh grew up very poor in the small town of Anna, Texas. He lived in a trailer home most of his life with his mother and various step-fathers. His mother was married five separate times, and his birth father spent many years in federal prison. Deaton was determined to pursue a different life, and break the chains of poverty.
While in high school, Josh would wake up early in the morning and sit in the middle of the field taking site of Doves that would fly into the sites of his shotgun. If successful, he would provide dinner for him and his family. Once he saw the bus kicking up the dust from the gravel road about two miles out, he would place the gun back in the house grabbing his school supplies for a nine hour day of learning and athletics. He was a star athlete in basketball and football, but Anna High School was too small for any major college to take notice of him.
When it was too dark to see, Josh resorted to fishing in the dark at a nearby pond or lake to continue providing food for his family. All odds were against Josh. His mother was on disability. His Father was in prison. His step-fathers were drunks, abusive, or both. Mr. Deaton’s, step-grandfather and uncle was a positive role model for him. They both were accustoming to working hard and instilled those values into Josh. At the end of high school, Mr. Deaton joined the United States Marine Corp which he considered an honor to serve his country.
Mr. Deaton’s leadership qualities were quickly noticed by the Corp where he became a Guide and ran his Platoon during training. Deaton was honored as the top in his class with the highest rifle and pistol scores in the division. He quickly rose to the rank of Corporal where he led his platoon as Platoon Guide. Mr. Deaton then was asked to try out for the C.Q.B. (Close Quarters Battalion) where he was honored to train with the FBI to protect National Security.
Josh Deaton (with gun ready), Squad Leader taking a break with his men before next engagement
However, adversity struck Josh’s family again when he learned that his mother had suffered a severe debilitating back injury in an automotive injury, and was unable to provide for the family. Mr. Deaton was given an Honorable Discharge from the military and came back home to provide for his family.
Without much formal education, despite having an IQ of 144, Mr. Deaton learned masonry and other manual skills resulting in laying tile in many upscale homes. Josh was able to see some of the finer things in life, and knew that he wanted to provide those things for his family.
After purchasing a vehicle from a dealership in the Dallas, Texas area, he inquired about working as a sales person. He knew that with a lot of hours, hard work, and the mindset for treating customers’ right, he would be successful in the automotive industry.
Deaton’s outstanding automotive knowledge and managerial achievements have been honored by industry and business leaders, including one of the largest publicly traded automotive companies in the world, Sonic Automotive. Deaton was named “Best of the Best” in 2005 as their highest valued and most respected Manager in the organization.
Deaton worked at Lute Riley Honda, one of Sonic Automotive’s premiere dealerships. He held just about every position including consecutive “Salesman of the Month”, Top grossing Business Manager, Top Grossing Sales Manager and voted “Best of the Best” as the New Car Director. While in-charge, Deaton implemented a unique process that increased revenue, CSI scores and Sales, putting Lute Riley Honda at the top of the charts. In doing so, Lute Riley Honda won 2 consecutive Presidential Awards which are only awarded to the top dealerships for Honda. This is the equivalent to winning the Super Bowl and to do it two years in a row is a top feat in itself.
During his time at Lute Riley Honda, Mr. Deaton hired, trained and motivated a staff of 76 people. Within 2 months Lute Riley Honda rose from the number 6 to the number 1 volume dealership in the state of Texas. Within 6 months of Mr. Deaton’s leadership, Lute Riley Honda ranked within the Top 10 highest volume dealerships in the United States. Lute Riley Honda profits were the highest in the company’s history along with a system to put Lute Riley Honda in the top 5% of the 1000 Honda dealerships in the Nation for customer satisfaction. Because of this exceptional achievement, Lute Riley Honda was awarded the President’s Award 2 years in a row. This award is given to the elite dealerships that rank in the top 10% nationally for their high customer service scores compared to all of the Honda dealerships nationally.
Mr. Deaton was named “The Best of The Best” by Sonic Automotive. Sonic Automotive (SAH) is recognized worldwide as the leader in the automotive industry. Their organization owns more than 120 new- and used-vehicle dealerships and 25 collision repair centers in 15 states. Lute Riley Honda was Sonic Automotive top performing store under Mr. Deaton’s leadership.
Deaton loves a challenge and wanted to see if he could do the same thing at other dealerships. He was offered the position of New Car Director at David McDavid Honda of Frisco. His first month at the helm, the dealership went from ranking number 15-25 in volume to number one in the State of Texas, beating Lute Riley Honda and at the same time winning the prestigious Presidents Award again. Soon the dealership was ranking in the top 5 highest volume dealerships in the United States.
Deaton has always been the leader in the industry. As a General Sales Manager Acura in Phoenix Arizona, he implemented many new strategies and processes that many dealerships
follow to this day.
During his time in the automotive dealership world, Josh was able to invest most of his earnings into startup companies giving yielding him capital to pursue the dream of owning his own company.
Josh now brings the same leadership and vision, which made him successful at the dealership level, to DeliveryMaxx, providing outstanding services to the entire automotive world. DeliveryMaxx provides dealers with cutting edge technology that ensures that the dealership is getting maximum exposure and creating a long lasting bond with their customers. This will keep them as customers of the dealership for life!
Before DeliveryMaxx was born, Mr. Deaton was an investor in an International Marketing Company that James Schaefer was a Senior Level Executive. James’s story took a little different path than Josh’s, but was based on many of the same life learning lessons.He was the son of a German Immigrant, who had come to the United States just after World War II. Mr. Schaefer’s father’s family had lost everything in the war including a private college in Cologne, Germany. Mr. Schaefer’s father had grown up in a very similar situation that Josh had grown up. “I think that is why Josh and I get along so well. I can relate to Josh, because that is how my father grew up” Mr. Schaefer often tells business associates. His father did not have anything given to him in life having to work road construction in Houston, Texas throughout high school. “His best clothes were a pair of jeans without holes in them and a white t-shirt that was not dirty.” James’ father earned a football scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University after playing high school football for one of the famous Coach Bear Bryant’s Junction Boys, Coach Bobby Marks. His father turned to a life of education, coaching, and ministry to help young people plan and pursue their dreams. However, a life of service to others did not provide the riches Mr. Schaefer desired in his youth.
One day while helping his father dig a drainage ditch he answered to his father’s demand of learning manual trades that, “I plan to make enough money that I don’t have to do this for a living!” Mr. Schaefer always knew he would become an entrepreneur. In the ninth grade, he secured many lawns with a reality company and employed several of his high school classmates to help him maintain this business. His knack for understanding simple economics led him to open up one of several businesses that revolved around customer service and advertising.
After becoming a 1996 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a major in Political Science and Minor in Business Mr. Schaefer has been employed with Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Alta Colleges, and Combustion Media. He has started four companies in addition to being a Co-Founder of DeliveryMaxx.
Universal Technical Institute is the leading provider of Technical Training in the fields of Automotive, Diesel, and Collision Repair. UTI has entered into partnerships with NASCAR, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Porsche, Ford, Toyota, Lexus, International Trucks, Volvo, Nissan, and Volkswagen. They have a sales force of 270 representatives responsible for the growth (enrollments) of UTI.
During his tenure with UTI Mr. Schaefer has served as a Field Sales Representative, Change Leader, and Regional Sales Director and as a result has acquired experience in sales, management, training, public relations, marketing, human resources, and an understanding of the vocational need in America. He received many awards year after year as one of the top representative, and when in management his team of representatives became one of the top teams in the organization. His last position with UTI was as a Regional Admissions Director.
(Left to Right)In 1999 pictured is James Schaefer, UTI Director; Richard Younker, Park Place Porsche; Patrick Stanberry, BMW of Dallas; Tim Minor, Sewell Lexus are all former students of Mr. Schaefer. They are living the American Dream.
After leaving UTI, Mr. Schaefer accepted a position with Alta Colleges as a Regional Director of Admissions quickly becoming a leader within the organization. Alta Colleges even designed their assessment test for managers after Mr. Schaefer because of his leadership qualities in motivating and turning around underperforming sales teams. In his short tenure, Mr. Schaefer earned multiple awards and being appointed to the Leadership Counsel.
Alta Colleges is a for profit educational institute specializing in CAD, Graphic Design, and Computer Science.
Alta Colleges offered Mr. Schaefer a Vice President of Sales position, but he declined to embark on a new challenge outside the education industry. Mr. Schaefer accepted a position as the Vice President of Sales with Combustion Media. He quickly moved up within the company into the role of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing as well as the Secretary of the Board of Directors. During his tenure with Combustion Media, he led the organization through an unprecedented growth and into the Social Media arena and Professional Sports Marketing. Through his business negotiations he was involved with some of the world’s business and political leaders such as Steve Forbes, Senator Mitchell, Alexander Muse, Jack Furst, and then Governor Mitt Romney.
Senator George Mitchel and James Schaefer speak at Leadership Conference in Washington D.C.
Schaefer started his first company at the age of 19 while a sophomore in College selling advertisement to local businesses and giving him a taste of successful entrepreneurship. Before the internet, Byron Consultants utilized the power of cross marketing to consumers driving business sales. At 21 he sold Byron Consultants and started Sweet Remembrance with Victoria Bates who later became his wife. Sweet Remembrance was a catering company which allowed parents to have cakes, birthday, holiday, and exam packages delivered directly to their students who were studying in college. His key role was to negotiate strategic partnerships which were accomplished by securing Wal-Mart and Stephen F. Austin State University as partners. Again, the concept was new and innovative during this time. He capitalized on a need and provided a great service. In 2007, Mr. Schaefer started CarSch Enterprises and Byron Thomas Holdings which specializes in providing hair products and grooming services for Men.
It was only a matter of time that Mr. Schaefer expanded his portfolio. Never one to rest on his laurels and his drive for making a difference in the world he co-founded DeliveryMaxx. With the introduction to Mr. Joshua Deaton’s vision of a customer retention program; he seized the opportunity to help develop what is now called DeliveryMaxx!
When Mr. Deaton and Mr. Schaefer sat down at one of their many late night meetings to discuss the development and future of DeliveryMaxx, they were determined to make the company one of the “Greatest Places to Work”. They based their decisions off of their life’s experiences, and were determined to overcome adversity and obstacles that they continue to face today.
Starting a new company is difficult. Starting a company in a billion dollar market and competing against companies with over a hundred million dollars in revenue can seem monumental. However, both gentlemen rely on their faith, family, and work ethic to climb the mountain of success.
The first decision that the founders of DeliveryMaxx had to make was how they were going to finance the company’s start-up requirements. They had developed a great concept, but they needed to market this concept into the Automotive Industry. The choices were to obtain a Small Business Loan, add Investors, or Finance the Business through their Personal Wealth. The requirements for a small business loan didn’t make sense to the founders. They would have to secure the loan with their own money. Mr. Schaefer said, “Why should I pay a bank interest on money that I borrow with the loan being backed up with my money?” Mr. Deaton stated that the investor option did not make much sense either. “Why would I want to trade in one boss for another when they do not fully grasp the concept of what we are trying to do? Investors typically only look at the bottom line and a good business has real people involved. You cannot create a great place to work looking at only the bottom line. We would have more control if we financed the business ourselves.”
Therefore DeliveryMaxx was financed 100% by Mr. Deaton and Mr. Schaefer. This was not done without much sacrificing from both men and their families. To minimize personal expenses, Mr. Deaton sold his beautiful upscale home taking a hundred thousand dollar loss due to the depressed housing market and moved into a much more modest neighborhood. They explained to their kids that eating out was a luxury and found ways to make potatoes and rice into a gourmet meal. Josh talks passionately about the meals he came up with. “If DeliveryMaxx didn’t work out, I would have a great career as a chef for the middle class and less fortunate. I should start a cookbook and watch it jump to a best seller!” he states with a chuckle. James’s kids have learned that luxury’s like ESPN and top cable TV shows would only be able to be viewed from the internet once the recordings were released. “My kids thought the biggest sacrifice we made was cutting our cable where we only watched a couple of channels together that was part of the $9 a month package” James says with a smile. Both men who claim that their family is God’s biggest blessing to them turn to more outdoor, church, and school activities to spend quality family time. “Even when we reach the top of the mountain that we are climbing, we will continue to maintain a balanced and family oriented life. Of course that mountain will never stop growing because we always loved to be challenged” they both state.
From the beginning, Mr. Deaton and Mr. Schaefer established a mission statement that is still governing the company today. DeliveryMaxx is committed to quality work and superior customer service in all aspects of our business.
We value our employees and encourage them to make productive suggestions. We want them to succeed at their job. One of our visions is to create a Great Place to Work. This can only be accomplished by placing a high value on every employee and their responsibilities inside and outside the workplace. DeliveryMaxx’s Core Values are People, Purpose, and Profit.
People make the difference in our company whether they are clients or team members. Our purpose is to provide perfect service 100% of the time. By taking care of our people, and providing perfect service, we will earn great profits!
Our mission is to be EVERY Dealerships choice and any other entity to provide innovative tools to help retain customers for life.
That meant allowing employees to have flexible work schedules, and encouragement to put family and public service first. Furthermore, DeliveryMaxx created a fair wage schedule that allows every employee to be financially rewarded as the company grows. Each account that is added and all revenue that is earned are shared amongst all active employees. As the company earns more, so does every employee within the DeliveryMaxx organization. This concept has empowered every employee at DeliveryMaxx to help make decision that will better serve their clients.
DeliveryMaxx has developed a comprehensive program from a dealerships perspective. They have done this because over 95% of their employees have spent some part of their careers in the automotive industry, and mostly at the dealership level. “That’s right, our employees have sold cars, worked the desk, penciled deals, closed the gates, ported cars, bought and sold at the auction, and gone bell to bell weeks at a time. Our employees have been General Managers, Internet Directors, Sales Managers, Managing Partners, Marketing Directors, Business Development Managers, Human Resource Directors, Service Advisors & Managers, Trainers, and Sales People participating in the automotive industry” Josh says with pride.
DeliveryMaxx was founded by “Car Guys", creating a more efficient method for successfully completing the sale at the point of delivery. They have developed a system that effectively increases the positive experience of buying a new vehicle, accurately tracks the process, and generates increased customer retention. They do this utilizing modern innovations and traditional techniques. The net result to our dealership family is Increased Sales both repeat, referrals, & new business, Higher CSI Scores, Complete and Total Web Domination of Branding, Real Published Positive Reviews, Additional Revenue for Fixed Operations, and a follow-up data base that assures “Keeping the Customer for Life.”
DeliveryMaxx was formed to help businesses, particularly the automotive industry, an opportunity to show appreciation to their consumers for making these purchases. DeliveryMaxx creates a Social Media Marketing program (SMM) to publically thank their customers on a daily basis. Included in this marketing program, DeliveryMaxx is able to increase Search Engine Optimization (SEO) value, Online Reputation Management (ORM), and help businesses acquire positive reviews and branding. The end result utilizing DeliveryMaxx's Images of Success program is an increase in customer loyalty and satisfaction. This program is truly a complete comprehensive automotive dealership consumer care program.
For more information about DeliveryMaxx visit www.deliverymaxx.com
DeliveryMaxx captures dealership customers' image at the point of delivery and markets that exciting time to the world helping dealerships create customers for life.
Because DeliveryMaxx has become one of the fastest growing Automotive Service Vendors they have been able to provide jobs for many individuals. They have created real opportunities for parents to be able to help their kids go to college, buy school supplies, and ability to partake in some form of entertainment. Thus, the “multiplicity effect” is in full swings. When these parents pay for school supplies those who make those school supplies and sell them are able to provide for their families. When DeliveryMaxx employees entertain their families, others are able to continue to provide earning income and increasing their spending.
Small businesses are the foundation of United States Capitalism and are what has made America the leader in the world. Free-Enterprise allows anyone the right to pursue “life, liberty, and happiness.”
Both Josh and James spend many hours talking with today’s political leaders about obstacles for small business today.
Former President George W. Bush talks with DeliveryMaxx Employees about success
Mr. Deaton, and Mr. Schaefer remain steadfast in helping the economy. They strongly believe that small businesses have a direct effect on employment rate and consumer confidence. Consumer confidence is an economic indicator which measures the degree of optimism that consumers feel about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation. How confident people feel about stability of their incomes determines their spending activity and therefore serves as one of the key indicators for the overall shape of the economy. In essence, if the economy expands causing consumer confidence to be higher, consumers will be making more purchases. On the other hand, if the economy contracts or is in bad shape, confidence is lower, and consumers tend to save more and spend less. A month-to-month diminishing trend in consumer confidence suggests that in the current state of the economy most consumers have a negative outlook on their ability to find and retain good jobs.
James Schaefer speaks with former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert about importance of small business and the economy during his Senate bid for Texas
Investors, manufacturers, retailers, banks and government agencies use various assessments of consumer confidence in planning their actions. The ability to predict major changes in consumer confidence allows businesses to gauge the willingness of consumers to make new purchases. As a result, businesses can adjust their operations and the government can prepare for changing tax revenue. If confidence is dropping and consumers are expected to reduce their spending, most producers will tend to reduce their production volumes accordingly. For example, if manufacturers anticipate consumers will reduce retail purchases, especially for expensive and durable goods, they will cut down their inventories in advance and may delay investing in new projects and facilities. Similarly, if banks expect consumers to decrease their spending, they will prepare for the reduction in lending activities, such as mortgage applications and credit card use. Builders will plan for the decline in home construction volumes. The government will get ready for the reduction in future tax revenues. On the other hand, if consumer confidence is improving, people are expected to increase their purchases of goods and services. In anticipation of that change, manufacturers can boost production and inventories. Employers can increase hiring rates. Builders can prepare for higher housing construction rates. Banks can plan for a rise in demand for credit products. Government can expect improved tax revenues based on the increase in consumer spending.
How important are small businesses to the U.S. economy?
Small firms:
•Represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms.
•Employ about half of all private sector employees.
•Pay more than 45 percent of total U.S. private payroll.
•Have generated 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually over the last decade.
•Create more than half of nonfarm private gross domestic product (GDP).
•Supplied 22.8 percent of the total value of federal prime contracts in FY 2006.
•Hire 40 percent of high tech workers (such as scientists, engineers, and computer workers).
•Are 52 percent home-based and 2 percent franchises.
•Made up 97 percent of all identified exporters and produced 28.6 percent of the known export value in FY 2004.
•Small innovative firms produce 13 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms, and their patents are twice as likely as large firm patents to be among the one percent most cited.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census; Advocacy-funded research by Kathryn Kobe, Economic Consulting Services, LLC, 2007, Federal Procurement Data System ; Advocacy-funded research by CHI Research, 2003, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey; U.S. Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration.
Josh Deaton with Congressman Ralph Hall during Small Business Summit
How many new jobs do small firms create?
Over the past decade, small businesses created 60 to 80 percent of the net new jobs. In the most recent year with data (2004), small firms accounted for all of the net new jobs.
Firms with fewer than 500 employees had a net gain of 1.86 million new jobs. Large firms with 500 or more employees lost more jobs than they created, for a net loss of 181,122 jobs.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census information on employment dynamics by firm size from 1989 to 2004.
DeliveryMaxx pledges to conduct business ethically, provide opportunities for motivated individuals who desire to make a difference in the world, and create a great place to work. DeliveryMaxx will continue to provide a great service to companies that wish to grow their business and increase customer satisfaction. DeliveryMaxx desires to help improve the economy administering these sound principles.
In addition to helping small businesses thrive in today’s economy, Mr. Deaton and Mr. Schaefer also believe in employee satisfaction. Employee satisfaction can be measured many ways, and one of the ways it is measured is by an employee’s quality of life. The founders believe in giving back to their community and not just with financial support.
Josh spends a lot of his free time with the Masons. He recently earned his 32nd Degree Mason Scottish Rite. He takes great pleasure in raising money and volunteering for children with terminal illness. “Nothing is worse than the thought of losing your child and feeling helpless against a terminal illness. If I can do at least something small to offer comfort or relief to families going through this adversity then I feel like I have accomplished something of great value for the day.”
Josh & Amy Deaton during 32nd Degree Mason Award
James spends most of his free time coaching youth sports. He coaches basketball, football, and girls softball. His kids have one many championships, and in 2011 his football team won the National Championship earning a number one ranking going into the 2012 season. “I started out coaching because I wanted to spend more time with my kids, but I am rewarded every day by teaching these youngsters strong life values that they may not have receive like I was taught by my parents.”
James Schaefer celebrates with Rockwall Jackets Youth Football Team
Small Businesses affect our economy and level of spending. However, Small Businesses can truly allow people to make a difference in today’s world. DeliveryMaxx takes pride in being a small part of allowing all individuals to pursue “life, liberty, and happiness”.
