Today we’d like to introduce you to John (Mark) Smith.
Hi John (Mark), so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in a small town, where everyone knew everyone in a time without cell phones and if you did anything wrong, your parents would know about it before you got home. Both my parents were hard on me to be my best self; your chores had to be done before you could play. I still live by that today.
I spent a short time in the Army, the 82nd Airborne Infantry division which built upon my up bringing. Be tough, be strong, be honest and always protect your team/family. After the military, I needed to settle down and find my place in world. I got a job with a great company Coastal Power Products, and we worked on and sold parts for Detroit Diesel engines and Allison Transmissions. I was surrounded by several great mentors. However, I still wanted to do something else with my life, but it’s interesting to me that if we slow down and let life lead us sometimes, we end up where we are supposed to be.
Close to the end of my time with Coastal Power, I was getting frustrated at being overlooked for promotions and pay raises. One of the rocks in my life was my grandmother whom I could talk to about anything and everything. When I spoke about being frustrated, she calmly reminded that I needed to do my job to the best of my ability. And to always remember someone was watching, maybe it was my current employer or maybe someone else. I took her advice, and I did the best job I could and in less than a year I got the offer of my life. One of my best customers offer me a chance at coming on board and later buying the company. Today, I am the President of Diesel Parts Sales & Service, Inc. which has been in business since 1961. I could not have done any of this without my family’s support, my business partner and staff. We are the truest definition of team. Let life lead, be honest, and remember there is always someone watching.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If I am honest, the biggest obstacle was probably myself. I had to remember it’s not me but WE. I could not have done any of this without the help of others in my life. Lift up others and share the rewards with them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Since 1961 we have worked on Detroit Diesel engines mainly in the marine application. Over the years we have added Cat and John Deere marine engines to our product line. I feel that we’ve surrounded ourselves with the industry’s best diesel marine engines on the market today. Everyone is in what we called the truck market; we are one of the few companies that specialize on marine engines such as tugboats, barges, shrimp boats, yachts and generators. We strive to be the problem solver and problem maker.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Fall in love with your job and keep the romance alive. Don’t let the stress of change drive a wedge between you and your work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dpssfla.com
