O&M Point S Builds on Family Roots

Chris Funk, who owns Sweet Home, Ore.-based O&M Point S Tire and Auto with his brother, TJ Funk, says his dealership’s success is built on compassion for customers. 

O&M Point S Tire and Auto, one of more than 400 Point S dealerships throughout the United States, has been in business for over 73 years.  

Lowell Funk, Chris and TJ’s grandfather, founded the family business in 1952 as a small tire and auto shop. After nearly 37 years of leadership, he passed it on to his sons, Rick, Chris and TJ’s father, Dennis and Art. 

As third-generation owners, Chris and TJ have continued what their family started while staying committed to serving their town.

“This is my happy place and my passion,” says Chris, who at the age of 10, started to go to work with his father, helping him tidy up the shop and clean wheel bearings after a busy day. "I always joke with customers that I’m the only 50-year-old you’re going to find with 40 years of tire experience."

Chris and TJ, who has been an owner for about 10 years, build on each other’s strengths.

Chris says they try to stay present in every aspect of their business, often working the sales counter each day. "I don’t envision that the way I approach it is the same as a lot of other guys,” he notes.

O&M Point S Tire and Auto’s staff includes three office members, five full-time tire technicians, three full-time auto service technicians, a cleaning person and a bookkeeper, with Chris and TJ at the helm.

Since Sweet Home is a logging town, the dealership services logging trucks and other heavy equipment, as well as cars and light trucks, which Chris says makes every day a new challenge. But he notes that what makes O&M Point S and Auto stand out most is its commitment to treating customers with dignity and compassion.

"We care about every person who walks in here and they feel that when they come in. They feel like family. They feel like friends. When people walk in the door, it’s not just a business transaction. It’s not somebody at the counter trying to sell anything they can sell them. It’s ‘What do you need? How can I help you? What can I do to make your day better?’”

Chris says leaning into service and creating meaningful relationships with customers are the keys to growing a tire dealership's customer base and trust.

"I always tell my guys that the way every person feels when they leave here is the thing that matters the most,” he explains. “The thing that matters most is whether somebody feels like they were taken care of and the person who helped them actually cared and went above and beyond everything they needed. If you do that – if you put people first, over money and sales - then the money and sales just happen.” 

As their dealership continues to grow, Chris and TJ believe their top priority will be finding the right employees who have experience, a positive work ethic and a solid character.

"When I’m about to hire someone, I take a lot of care in making sure I hire the right person,” says Chris. “Finding someone with knowledge of the industry is great, but finding someone whose passion is people is even greater.”

As Chris and TJ keep building on their family’s legacy, they feel thankful for their staff and the community that has kept them going.

"I’m just extremely proud of my crew,” says Chris. “It takes everybody doing their part to make this thing work smoothly. If I didn’t have good people, I wouldn’t be able to do it.”