Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Wagner.
Joe, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started working for my brother who owned Sonny’s Towing at the age of 16. I had many offers to play college football, but decided the towing industry was where I wanted to be. When my brother retired I was 19 years old, so worked for another towing company for 6 weeks and decided working for someone else was not for me so I started my own company – October 31, 1984. Went from one truck, basically living in it to make the payments. After a few years expanded to two trucks, then the business grew from there. Right now, we have 7 trucks, from small to semis. We have bought out 3 other towing companies over the years to expand our business. We tow for over 100 accounts and we are one of the largest and most respected companies in NW Indiana. I have been awarded Tow Man of the Year and was honored in Baltimore, MD. The only way to achieve this award is to be nominated a fellow first responder – police or fire. I was nominated 2 additional times for Tow Man of the Year. We help our community in numerous ways in fund raisers for breast cancer, battered women, etc. This is my 34th year and was honored to assist with Hurricane Harvey Relief – the most prideful situation I have ever been put in.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There has been a lot of ups and downs, borrowing from this to pay that – shuffling money to pay the bills. It has all worked out and I have never been late with a bill – always on time.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Joe’s Towing, Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I tow for numerous police departments, car dealers and many patrons. We do not advertise; our advertisement is word of mouth. My company prides itself on fast response, good customer service and empathy on what the customer is going through. It makes me proud that I am able to employ 5 men and keep them busy, without laying anyone off in my 34 years in business. What sets us apart is receiving calls from customers saying other towing companies recommended us to do a particular job because of the difficulty. I love hearing “you won’t be able to get that out” or “this will take you forever” and I prove them wrong. There is no “can’t” especially in jobs that require grave attention to detail, particularly when lives are at stake.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Possibly merging with another company to become the largest towing company in NW Indiana and Chicagoland area.
Contact Info:
- Address: 111 Waverly Rd.
Chesterton, Indiana 46304 - Phone: 800-807-2944
- Email: joestowinginc@frontier.com
- Instagram: joestowinginc
- Facebook: joestowinginc
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
