40 Under 40

Ryan Dare's workday typically runs with a disciplined focus from start to finish, almost like clockwork.

His alarm sounds at 4:50 a.m. Dare puts on workout clothes laid out the night before, lets his two dogs out and drives to the gym for a 45-minute workout.

He returns home for breakfast, time with his wife and gets ready for work, arriving at Ike Family Dealerships' Volkswagen of Marion in Illinois usually by 8:30 a.m. His workday ends around 6 p.m. and he drives back to the gym for another workout. He then heads home for dinner, relaxation and bed by 10 p.m.

"It sets your day for no matter what you're doing," Dare said. "It sets the tone."

Dare joined the dealership eight years ago after managing a GNC store.

Dare fell into the auto industry, joining the dealership after the prodding of a friend, who was the former sales manager.

"It's really helped me grow," Dare said. "I've excelled in my position with this dealership and built a home and a name for myself."

Among Dare's accomplishments: He led a strategy to acquire vehicles direct from customers that helped the small rural store counter new-car shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic and avoid auctions. From March 2021 to February 2022, about a third of customer-sourced vehicle acquisitions came from direct purchases. This new focus, which filtered down even to performance evaluations and pay plans, helped bolster sourcing for used-car inventory and sales.

Dare said his consistency and discipline work well for auto retail. It all ties back to exercise, starting in high school, where he was heavily involved in football and as a sprinter in track. The ability to train regularly has helped him, he said, as he's developed his problem-solving and dealership operational skills.

Another thing that serves him well: "The ability to pivot. The ability to change."

— Mark Hollmer