“NuVinAir Nine” with Susan & Bobby Hanley

What is the best advice you have ever received, and from whom?

Bobby: “See twice as many people as you saw last year.” Steve Natale, GM Petro Nissan, on how to double your business.

What was your life journey before NuVinAir?

Susan: I was a paralegal for 12 years. When we located to Alabama, I was recruited by a warranty company, which led me to start AutoLady.

Bobby: I was in sales in the car business and worked my way through management. We moved to Alabama when I was working for Credit Acceptance. About seven years ago, I left and started working for AutoLady.

What do you enjoy most about owning a NuVinAir franchise?

Susan: Owning your own business and being your own boss. Building generational revenue for yourself. I don’t think I can ever work a 9-to-5 job again. I also love being Bobby’s boss!

Bobby: Susan telling me what to do all the time. That’s what makes this work!

What has been your biggest challenge in owning a franchise, and how did you overcome it?

Bobby: Merging the two businesses but keeping them separate enough. Though it’s in the car business, we act as a third party for Auto Lady, versus we have ownership in our NuVinAir franchise.

Susan: It’s taken us years to perfect working together. We have a “stay in your lane” policy. 

What is your best skill as a franchise owner?

Bobby: Personal relationships. I’ve never been afraid to talk to the corporation’s owner down to the janitor.

Susan: Marketing and management. I like to develop new ways to help our reps sell our products, and our customers use them the best way. I want to be innovative and think ahead of what we need next and what makes us better.

What does success mean to you?

Susan: Running a successful business and still having time to spend with my family and enjoy the things in life.

Bobby: If I can shut off work at the end of the week and enjoy life, that’s success to me.

If you could invite any four people to dinner, dead or alive, who would you invite and why?

Bobby: My grandmother on my mom’s side. She passed when I was very young. Elvis Presley, Michael Jordan, and Frank Sinatra. They all would have great stories.

Susan: My Daddy. I lost him five years ago and miss him a lot. My Step-daddy, who we lost a year ago. Queen Elizabeth would have a lot of insight and advice. I’m a big tennis fan, so Roger Federer for sure.

What is one unique thing about you someone wouldn’t learn until they got to know you?

Susan: We have a huge Halloween party every year. Decorate the whole house with a theme, and every room is part of that theme. Also, Bobby is big on TikTok. He has over 100,000 followers.

What’s the number one item on your life “bucket list”?

Susan: We want to travel to every state and every continent. So far, we have been to 31 states and five of the seven continents.