BY MADELYN HUBBARD ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FROM GARAGE DOORS TO DEALERSHIP DOORS

Larry Hauber and Bob Carolan of Decorah , Iowa , both grew up in the motorcycle industry . They became enthusiasts , then mechanics working out of their own garages . “ A lot of our friends told us we should start up a business ,” Hauber says . “ One day I decided to give Bob a call . I said , ‘ Let ’ s go to lunch and kick an idea around and see what you think ,’ so we did .”

As mechanics , they recognized there were no dealers in Decorah , a town of 9,000 people , or the surrounding areas , and decided to become business partners in 1999 . “ We looked at what companies we would want to represent and Kawasaki was the one that came to mind right off the bat . Kawasaki has great products and support ,” Hauber says . “ And used motorcycles . We thought we ’ d get used motorcycles and ATVs and see where it goes . At the time , I was around 49 and Bob was 44 .”

They were approved by Kawasaki and opened the doors to their 4,000 square foot facility on Decorah ’ s main highway in 2000 . “ I had a lot of background working for CNH

The dealership is located in a 10,000 square foot facility on a main road in town .

Industrial ( a farming construction manufacturer ). I had a lot of experience setting up businesses and parts and service and accounting . Bob said he ’ d be the working side of the

Pictured are Roxanne and Larry Hauber , who own the dealership with business partner B ob Carolan .

business , parts and service , if I ’ d be the general manager and handle the accounting side of the business .” Hauber ’ s wife , Roxanne , is also a partner and has helped with office work , day-to-day duties and inventory management since day one .

They named the dealership Decorah Kawasaki Sports Center , and the partners hired a few employees to get their business up and running . “ I remember , in our first year of business , we sold 99 new Kawasaki ATVs , 12 Kawasaki Mules and over 30 bikes . People welcomed us with open arms . Our service business skyrocketed overnight ,” Hauber says .

LOCATION AND MARKET EXPANSION

In 2002 , the partners took on Suzuki . “ They had products that fit in between what Kawasaki offered . We decided that both companies were strong with their racing dirt bikes and we wanted to support our customers who raced .”

In the same timeframe , the partners dialed in on customers in need of outdoor power equipment . Simplicity and Ferris were added to the dealership ’ s lineup , then Wells Cargo trailers .

“ We found a niche and helped people build concession trailers ,” Hauber explains .

Decorah Kawasaki Sports Center has served Northeastern Iowa for going on 24 years . Photos courtesy of Decorah

Kawasaki Sports Center

“ We sold quite a number of specialty builds .” Trailers were sold to independent customers and schools . Today , the dealership also carries Haulmark and Bear Tracker trailers . And , because women ridership increased in the three-wheeled motorcycle category , the dealership became a Motor Trike dealer for Honda , Kawasaki , Victory and Indian Motorcycle .

In 2015 , Decorah Kawasaki Sports Center was relocated to the opposite side of town to a 10,000 square foot facility with an additional 1,000 square foot building . “ We were able to remodel and grow our service department by four times ,” Hauber says . The dealership sits at a better location on the main highway , according to car counts from the state of Iowa .

Three years ago , the owners bought out a lawn and garden business . “ By doing that , we ’ ve hired their help , bought their parts department out , all remaining inventory and we moved it all to our location ,” Hauber says . The acquisition was well timed with Hauber ’ s retirement at Case Corporation , a construction equipment supplier , so he could focus on growing the dealership . ( During his first 20 years of ownership , Hauber worked 30 hours a week at the dealership outside of his full-time job ).

WORKING HARDER , TOGETHER After taking on employees from the lawn and garden business , the dealership now employs a team of 10 with additional part-time help during the summer .

“ We keep our employee base down to help keep our overhead down . We all work a little harder and we work together ,” Hauber says . To stay in tune with employees and to encourage them to communicate , an hour-long staff meeting takes place once a week .

“ Every employee in this meeting has a voice ,” he says . “ We believe in good communication and we don ’ t hold many secrets in this place . That molds for a lot better employees . Everybody has a voice – no matter if it ’ s a big issue or small issue .”

He has increased the number of employees in the service department , which is up to five technicians , and is focused on the continued growth of the service and parts department this year . He increased the dealership ’ s technicians to offer customers a service center as much as a sales center .