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74

BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – May/June 2016

Upon entering the support office of Mike’s Carwash

in Fort Wayne, the city in which the company began

in 1948, I’m quickly greeted by examples of its

founders’ top three priorities:

1.

God

– crosses, religious symbols and a sign

reading “Smile, God Loves You” adorn the wall

2.

Family

– founders Joe and Ed Dahm, along with

Joe’s son and current president/owner Mike, warmly

receive me with handshakes

3.

Work

– pictures and signage from the nearly

seven decades of business depict the evolution of

this industry archetype

Joe explains the company was founded with $35,000 in seed

money from their father. Joe left his academic life as a sophomore at

Indiana University to pursue the opportunity, launching Mike’s Minit

Man (named after Joe and Ed’s younger brother).

“Gasoline on the corner was 29 cents per gallon, the Minit Man

wage was 75 cents an hour and a full service car wash was $1.50,”

recalls Joe, noting the full-service car wash was the first of its kind in

Indiana and the 18th in the United States.

Mike’s second location wasn’t built until 1971. But two

governing mantras launched the company’s enduring success: “The

customer is the boss,” and “treat your team members like family.”

Mike’s Carwash split into two businesses (Mike’s Carwash and

Crew Carwash) in 2014 as part of a friendly reorganization to enhance

family succession planning. Mike now leads Mike’s Carwash with 17

locations and 350 employees in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, while his

brother Bill oversees Crew’s operations in Central Indiana.

Empower the people

Mike’s Carwash earned its spot on the Best Places to Work in

Indiana list (it has received similar recognition in Ohio) largely because

of its attitude toward its associates. Team members are granted a great

deal of latitude to help satisfy customers if problems or opportunities

arise, and the company leans on staff to offer opinions and feedback

that enhance the customer experience.

This is evidenced while talking to managers– in between the

steady stream of soiled vehicles passing through on a delightful March

afternoon – at its Jefferson Street operation in Fort Wayne.

“They really listen to their people,” relays Ron Russell, district

manager. “They know we’re on the front lines, so they take our ideas

to make it a better experience. That’s one of the reasons I’m here.”

Russell’s badge reveals he’s been with the company for 26 years,

although he qualifies the number is actually 28. Ten-year veteran Ron

Haller, general manager, came to the company after working in

restaurant management because he wanted more family-friendly hours.

The career shift has been well worth it, and he relishes the opportunity

to spend time with his co-workers.

“The caliber of people we work with is great,” Haller notes.

“(The company is) very selective in the hiring process, so you work

with really good people. I also like the mix of the job. I get to dabble

in some maintenance responsibilities, as well as help serve customers.”

But not every associate has a family. In fact, many are students,

Mike’s Carwash

History of Teamwork Continues

By Matt Ottinger

2016 NEWCOMER

Chains no longer pull cars through the wash as they did in 1948. The company, however, remains linked to the mantra – “The customer is the boss” – of

its founders, Joe and Ed Dahm. Joe’s son Mike (center) now keeps the company on track as president.