And actually, in the early years of Tires Plus, my people skills were not good. I don't believe I cared about our people to the degree that was healthy. I don't believe I was as honoring and respectful to them. So it was 1989 when I went through a divorce, had cancer and the business was very financially challenged and we were very short. My CFO came in and said, 'We're a million dollars short in the bank account. Our credit line's exhausted, what do we do?'

HATTIE: So you were sort of stressed, stretched to the limit. You personally.

TOM: Health, love relationship, and financial/career. So in all three of those, I went through a very difficult period for about a year and ended up looking at things differently. Re-looking from my life from an emotional, psychological standpoint. I took counseling/therapy.

HATTIE: Right. TOM: For X number -- for four or five years.

HATTIE: Like once a week you went to a therapist.

TOM: Yes, once a week. I did both group and individual. When we don't manage our lives properly and things get out of whack, it's very hard to be nice. And by the way when I'm saying being nice, that doesn't mean there isn't tough luck, because my new book talks about the mix of both.

HATTIE: Right.

TOM: About being a nurturing, servant leader who really cares about their teammates. Yet also one that's very exacting, and requiring, but to the degree that you believe in your vision and your mission. To the degree that you have people that you're surrounded with that you know are helping make that a reality, and you want to help them, and help guests. It's really important to keep the overall perspective in mind. Because if you don't you'll get so -- you'll get so beat up over the -- the challenge of day to day. I feel very blessed with the personal health that I have, with the love relationship. As this company grows, then, even though I'm not present physically, I'm attached and have a spirit connection with that.

HATTIE: You said your absolute slam dunk, marketing technique is buzz. You had it, you had the 'it.'

TOM: Exactly, exactly. Exactly, yeah. That's it. We had it. We had the buzz. We had the people that would say, 'Yeah, you should go there.' And we loved that. But again I told our people, don't treat them nice just because of that. Treat them nice because it's the right thing to do. It's the oldest rule in the book. The golden rule.

In the studio:

HATTIE: Tom proved in the process of building his business, coaching is better than bossing. You can read our entire interview with Tom at Small Business School.org. And, buy his books. 'Winning In The Game Of Life' and 'By The Seat Of Your Pants,' both by Tom Gegax.

In addition to writing books, Tom speaks, serves on some non-profit boards, invests and coaches in some small companies that he hopes will roll out the next great idea. We say thanks to Tom, and all the men and women out there who've made retirement obsolete. We'll see you next time.