OWNER AND PRESIDENT | TROY'S WRECKER SERVICE AND LITTLE RAY'S AUTO PARTS & USED CARS, INC.
Troy Brown knows the sinking feeling of being stuck along the side of the road while cars whiz past. And he’s built a life—and a business—around helping people get unstuck, literally. For nearly 40 years, his business, Troy’s Wrecker Service, has offered a trusted hand to get stranded drivers moving again.
When Troy graduated high school in 1986, he spent $1,500 cash on a 1972 Chevy Wrecker. Why?
“I just wanted to help people,” he says.
With a passion for towing and a heart for serving others, Troy spent the next few years upgrading trucks, hiring a small team, and building relationships with local shops, insurance companies, and everyday folks who needed help on the side of the road.
But running a business wasn’t as straightforward as buying a tow truck and getting to work. A decade into building his business and managing the challenges of leadership, Troy found himself spinning his wheels. Eventually, he’d realize he needed his own trusted hand to get unstuck.
Troy loved helping people, but running a 24/7 towing business came with challenges he didn’t know how to tackle.
“I was really struggling,” he admits. “I didn’t know how to grow my business or manage my team. I was hiring the wrong people, and it was holding us back.”
Outside work, things were also challenging. Troy was drained when he got home each night, but he didn’t want to burden his family with the stress he carried. The weight of running a business and trying to be everything to everyone was wearing him down.
“I fix everything,” Troy says. “But I finally realized I couldn’t—I couldn’t fix everything.”
Admitting that was tough, but it opened the door for change.
On Christmas Eve in 2019, Troy sat in his basement feeling frustrated and alone. While scrolling through Facebook, he spotted an ad for EntreLeadership. It said, “We can help your business,” and Troy thought, Yeah, right. Can you really help mine?
Then he took a big leap of faith.
“I thought, if this is real, I want it.”
He signed up for EntreLeadership Elite that night.
Join more than 200,000 business owners and get tactical business tips delivered to your inbox every Friday.
Troy’s journey with EntreLeadership started with a call from an account executive who truly cared about his success. From there, he joined an online Advisory Group—a small community of business leaders who met twice a month to share advice and support. Troy also committed to Executive Coaching—a game changer in helping him see his business and himself in a whole new light.
“I was the donkey,” Troy says with a laugh.
What exactly does he mean by that?
“I didn’t treat people right. I didn’t come in and say, ‘I really appreciate you today,’” Troy says. “They just came to work and went back home.”
He knew he needed to help them understand the value of their roles in doing work that mattered. But first, Troy had to work on himself to become a leader his team wanted to follow.
Through Executive Coaching and the support of his Advisory Group, Troy completely rebuilt his mindset, leadership and company culture.
“I’m excited to come to work to see my team,” Troy says. “The culture is changing . . . and we’re serving our customers better.”
He adds, “Anybody can tow cars, but it’s truly about building the relationships, taking care of your community, taking care of the people you care about.”
Since joining EntreLeadership, Troy has steadily grown his confidence and his vision as a leader. In 2017, he had added a salvage yard to his towing business. But in 2023, he was ready to take things to the next level. Troy acquired another salvage yard’s book of business—and its team—and in just 10 months, his company’s revenue quadrupled.
“I never could’ve done that without EntreLeadership,” Troy says. “I’m just an ol’ country boy from Kentucky, but now I’ve got a plan. And I understand that fixing my business had to start with fixing me.”
Today, Troy’s businesses are thriving, and his team is stronger than ever. That’s given him something even more valuable than business growth: time with his family.
“When you run a 24/7 business, you can miss out on a lot of birthdays and family time,” Troy says. “Now I’ve got people in place to help so I don’t miss the things that matter most.”
His wife adds, “I have him full now—not just part of him. He knows things are taken care of. There are people in the right places doing the job. And then we get to go to the beach!”
Troy’s next goal is to build the biggest towing service and salvage yard in Louisville while continuing to lead with integrity and heart.
“I love the challenge of growing,” he says. “But now that I’ve got the support of EntreLeadership, I feel like the sky’s the limit.”
Troy’s new confidence comes from knowing he’s not in this alone. He’s got a team, a plan and the tools to make it happen.
As for those late nights spent worrying in the basement, Troy says they’re long gone.
"I wish I’d found it 20 years ago. It has changed my life, it’s changed my family, and it’s changed the team. EntreLeadership has given me so much hope."
Troy’s story is a powerful reminder that running a successful business starts with leveling up as a leader, aligning your team, and holding everyone accountable.
Don’t keep trying to tackle your challenges alone.
Join more than 200,000 business owners and get tactical business tips delivered to your inbox every Friday.
By submitting this form you are agreeing to the Ramsey Solutions Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
T R O Y ' S K E Y T A K E A W A Y S
