Mitch Kruse grew up in a family that helped invent the modern collector car auction. By 18 he was the youngest licensed Realtor in the country. By 20 he had sold the first car to ever change hands for a million dollars cash, delivered to Tom Monahan at home plate in Tiger Stadium. By 27, an IRS raid and a recession nearly took it all down. What happened next is the heart of this conversation.
Brad Noll sits down with Mitch Kruse to walk through a story most Fort Wayne entrepreneurs have heard about but never heard told. From the 1971 Auburn auction behind a Dairy Queen that drew 15,000 people, to building 50 annual collector car events, to selling the company to eBay in 1999, Mitch unpacks the fundamentals that built the business: listening, locking eyes, marketing with intention, and serving people before profit.
But this is more than an auction story. It is a story about changing the scorecard from money to wisdom, from religion to relationship, and from striving for flawless to surrendering to the Restorer. Whether you are running a small business, leading a team, or chasing a dream, Mitch's framework for the house of leadership and the practice of authenticity will give you something to chew on long after the episode ends.
Key Takeaways
● Change the scorecard. Mitch's uncle asked him a question that changed his life: have you ever thought about changing the scorecard from money to wisdom? Wisdom is God's heart intersecting with street smarts.
● Relationship beats remuneration. People before profit is not a slogan, it is a strategy. The world flocks to people who put others' needs ahead of their own.
● Communication is the dying art that will define the next decade. Listening, eye contact, tone, and presence are becoming the most valuable skills in a culture that has forgotten them.
● Authenticity is the most powerful word in a postmodern culture. The more people deconstruct, the more they reward consistency. Be the same person on stage, at home, and alone in the car.
● Perfect practice makes perfect. John Wooden was right. Ask yourself: what process would I do if the end result did not matter? That answer tells you what you love.
● Surrender the old, surrender the pieces, surrender the new. You cannot self-restore. The Restorer takes the basket case apart and rebuilds it piece by piece.
● Build the house of leadership on humility, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. The rare and beautiful treasures inside are relationships.
● Generosity replaces greed. A greedy heart is never satisfied. A generous heart is free.
Connect
● Student of the Game Podcast: https://www.nollteam.com/podcast
● Brad Noll on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradnoll
● Noll Team Real Estate: https://www.nollteam.com
● Mitch Kruse: https://www.mitchkruse.com
About Noll Team Real Estate
Since 2003, Noll Team Real Estate has been helping people in the Fort Wayne area find the freedom to live the lifestyle they want. Despite changing markets and business tactics, we have remained true to this better and improved business model by focusing on building relationships and serving others in everything we do. Whatever stage of life you are in, our goal is to provide you with the wisdom and tools necessary when buying or selling a home. We put you first to ensure an enjoyable and profitable experience.
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