Editor’s Note: What follows is the third of three stories celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit in the Lewis County area as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Review the series online at www.chronline.com.
Tim Sayler always knew he wanted to own a business, but he wasn’t quite sure what type until an opportunity arose to purchase a STIHL product dealership.
With hard work and the entrepreneurial spirit, his business has been successful for 23 years.
As the owner of Service Saw / Workwears Inc. in Chehalis, Sayler’s business is an authorized servicing STIHL product dealer. The store carries a full line of STIHL parts and accessories, and knowledgeable staff is always on hand to assist customers in any way they can.
Sayler was born in Chehalis, graduated from W.F. West High School and later moved to Colorado, where he obtained a business degree at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Growing up in Chehalis, he worked at Tires Inc.. He also worked with Goodyear Corp. after the company bought out the chain he worked at. He later worked for Cascade Logger Supply in Chehalis. After about a year with the company, he had the opportunity to buy the STIHL dealership portion of the business when it closed its doors.
“Circumstances presented themselves and I didn’t know if it was short term or long term,” he said.
After renting property to run his dealership, he later purchased land and built his own building, which has been the home of the company for about 13 years.
He credits the success of his business to being very service-orientated, and taking care of people with respect.
His degree helped prepare him for owning a business, but he said the experience he gained in the retail atmosphere growing up in the tire and automotive trade was what really solidified his know-how.
Along with running his business, Sayler is the president of the Chehalis Foundation, and a member of the Chehalis Activators Club, which focuses on raising funds for junior high athletics in Chehalis. He is also a board member of the Chehalis Industrial Commission.
His strong focus on the local community is something that helps drive him.
“It’s interesting because I left here for college and never expected to come back,” he said. “Circumstances brought me back and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Although heavily involved in the local community, Sayler said the motivation was never to promote himself. Instead, it was to help a community he loves dearly.
“It’s really a protective feeling I have for my community, and so rather than sitting back and letting things happen, I get involved and make things happen,” he said.
His entrepreneurial skills have made his business a staple in the community for STIHL products.
For those seeking to become an entrepreneur, Sayler said his advice is to focus on something the person is good at and passionate about. He also said experience is key, along with education.
“I don’t think you can get a degree and expect to be good without that experience, and I do not think the experience alone often times gives you what you need to be successful in business,” he said. “In my circumstances, I had to work while I went to college. I didn’t have it paid for … I learned valuable lessons from people I worked with over the years and it seems to have worked out for me.”
Sayler encourages others to get involved in the community to help it continually thrive.
“There’s multiple ways in a community like ours where people can contribute,” he said, adding that people can either give their time or donate to causes to make a difference.
“My involvement with the clubs and groups I’m in, I’m just a gear in the cog,” he said. “I just can’t say enough about the people I’m involved with that makes these things happen. It puts a smile on your face when you see the results.”
