Basic HTML Version
e a s t c o u n t y l e a d e r
july 2013
8
BUSINESS
When Jim Weston opened his car
dealership in 1975, he believed that no
amount of television or radio advertis-
ing could compete with the words of
praise spread by satisfied customers.
The reality at the time was that
Weston lacked the financial resources
to toot his own horn in Gresham.
But from that humble beginning, a
business model was established that has
made his namesake dealership a com-
munity landmark and successful ven-
ture for three generations.
“Our customers are our best adver-
tisers,” said Jan Weston, chairman and
CFO for the dealership. “In the begin-
ning we couldn’t afford TV or radio,
but we could afford to take care of our
customers.”
Taking care of customers was all
Jim Weston had ever done. In 1959, he
was working for The Oregonian news-
paper as a route coordinator for a crew
of paper carriers. A friend commented
on his sales acumen and suggested he
look into the car business as a profes-
sion. Weston heeded the advice and
took a sales position with the former
Vic Bowman Pontiac GMC in Oregon
City. Within eight years, he was pro-
moted to sales manager and soon after
to general manager. In 1974, despite
limited resources, Weston decided to
strike out on his own.
“Dad started his business on a shoe-
string,” Jan said. “He was way under-
capitalized, but GMC knew his reputa-
tion and agreed to work with him.”
The elder Weston purchased a fail-
ing Pontiac GMC Jeep dealership on
East Burnside Road in Gresham, re-
naming it Jim Weston Pontiac. Within
its first month, the business posted re-
cord sales for the location and moved
from last to first place in the region.
After 12 years at the Burnside loca-
tion, Weston Pontiac GMC opened a
state-of-the-art showroom and service
department on Southeast Stark Street.
The dealership added a Kia franchise in
2000, across the street at the intersec-
tion of Southeast 223rd Avenue and
Stark Street. Jan’s sons, Jacob, 26, and
Josh, 29, then became the third gen-
eration of Westons to enter the family
business by taking on management of
the Kia operation. In 2006, the compa-
ny built a new building and moved the
Kia dealership to the site formerly home
to Zim’s 12-Mile Corner.
Weston retired in the mid-1980s,
passing the company onto his sons,
Jan, now 53, and Jay, 56. The younger
Westons cut their teeth at the dealer-
ship, learning the trade from the ground
up, but were never pressured into join-
ing their father’s business. Both earned
degrees at Portland State University
— Jay was even accepted into dental
school — but the industry was just part
of their DNA.
343SuiteB• N.MainSt., Gresham
In the loft directly across fromWildwood Cafe
416435 ECL0713
1 Hour
Basic
Massage
$
46
00
Only
Regular Price
$65.00
With this coupon. Call for appointment
503.489.0334.
Expires Aug. 31, 2013
Free Spirit Massage
Sherrie Mccann LMT #11805
Second and third generations carry on legacy of Jim Weston’s ‘people business’
From newspapers to new cars — it’s all about the customer
S t o r y b y A n n e E n d i c o t t
Jan Weston ( l ef t ) and hi s brother, Jay (ri ght ) , took over management of Jim Weston Bui ck GMC when the i r father ret i red i n the mid-1980s .
Jan ’s son , Jacob (mi dd l e) , manages the dea l ersh i p ’s Kia franchi se wi th h i s brother, Josh.
continued on 9