In this moving conversation on TimTalks, Tim Cox sits down with Mickey Seelye, President & CEO of Seelye Auto Group in Kalamazoo, Michigan—a third-generation dealer whose leadership begins and ends with faith.
Mickey shares how he rebuilt his family business from the inside out: valuing people over profit, choosing culture over convenience, and insisting that his faith be part of every decision he makes. This is a story about courage, conviction, and the quiet power of consistency—the kind of leadership that transforms both workplaces and lives.
00:00 – The Seelye legacy and the roots of a family-run dealership.
02:15 – Growing up in the showroom and learning every job in the building.
04:03 – “There’s no way I could do it without them.” Mickey on valuing his team.
05:34 – Meeting Stan—the faith-filled friendship that changed everything.
07:12 – The promise to lead differently, even when others said it couldn’t be done.
11:02 – When Forbes called—and why Mickey refused to leave faith out of the story.
13:18 – “If He’s first in my life, that means He’s first in business.”
17:40 – Consistency: the hidden ingredient in great leadership.
20:13 – “We hire for attitude, then train for skill.” Culture before talent.
25:01 – Starting with people—how to rebuild a broken culture from the ground up.
28:19 – Grace, hope, and leading a life that points back to purpose.
Connect with Mickey Seelye: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyseelye/
Connect with Tim Cox: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-cox-29065a7/
Listen to more episodes of TimTalks: https://www.carnow.com/timtalks/
