In this episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, Sam sits down with Clay Watson, a third-generation leader of Mountain View Auto Group, to talk about running a 44-year-old family business with more than 600 employees, and surviving a helicopter crash that changed everything.
Who is Clay Watson?
Clay grew up in the car business. Mountain View Auto Group has been in his family for three generations, and he has helped grow it to 10 dealerships across Chattanooga, Cleveland and Dalton.
Outside work, he rides motorcycles and bicycles and spends as much time outdoors as he can. His view of the business fits in one line: “We might sell cars, but we’re in the people business.”
Leading a family business through every kind of downturn
Car dealerships feel every swing in the economy. Clay talks about what it takes to survive, and thrive, through high interest rates in the ’80s, economic crashes and rapidly changing technology.
COVID-19 was its own test: massive inventory, real uncertainty and hundreds of people counting on a paycheck. Clay explains how they kept employees paid, used technology to change how the business was managed and kept the focus on customers.
The helicopter crash
This episode isn’t just about cars. In June 2022, Clay was on a helicopter tour over Hawaii with his daughters when the tail rotor failed mid-flight. The helicopter fell about 1,500 feet above a lava field. Clay had just enough time to begin the Lord’s Prayer before impact.
Against all odds, they survived. That moment pushed Clay to rethink his priorities and live more fully, from climbing mountains to fly fishing in Patagonia.
Leadership, legacy and relationships
Throughout the episode, Clay shares what he has learned about leadership, legacy and why relationships within families, teams and communities matter more than ever. It is wisdom earned through both success and near-tragedy.
Key Highlights:
- How Mountain View Auto Group scaled from 1 to 10 dealerships
- Managing 600+ employees across multiple locations
- The reality of navigating COVID-19 with massive inventory and uncertainty
- Why motorcycles are more about lifestyle than transportation
- How a helicopter crash reshaped Clay’s entire view on life and leadership
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, family business dynamics, or what it means to lead with heart after hardship.
Listen now to hear how Clay Watson survived the ultimate crash, and came back stronger.
Find more conversations like this one on Spectruss Speakeasy.
