Miller’s Covid Experience Explains Determination for Bringing New Business to Life in Amery
A new business will be opening on Keller Avenue in the very near future. Over the past couple of months, the interior of the building in the 300 block of Keller Ave. N. has been gutted and is getting ready for new materials to hit the floor. National Automotive Parts Association, also known as NAPA Auto Parts, will have a locally owned store in the open space across from City Hall. 308 Keller Ave N.
But to get to this point for owner “Young” Tom Miller, it has been a bittersweet challenge.
“Prior to this, I worked in retail my whole life,” said Miller. “My most recent job was a territory sales manager position for STIHL, the “chainsaw” company, which abruptly ended in March of 22’ after COVID/Pneumonia got ahold of me and left me in ICU for 8 weeks while in a Coma on a ventilator and a tracheotomy. When I came out of my coma, I was found paralyzed from the waist down.”
After returning home in April 2022 from his hospital stay since November 2021, Miller realized that over the next couple of years and with a lot of therapy, he would eventually get back on his feet, albeit a little slow. Throughout his experience he thought of what it would be like to return to work. With his new limitations he would have had to take several breaks throughout the day to recoup and gather himself before going back to it.
“Who’s going to hire me, and then give me several 5-10-minute breaks a day because I need them? Nobody. It’s time to reach for my dreams! I’ll just do my own thing. I am in control of that,” said Miller.
With some hope and persistence, he did just that. About a year and a half ago he put his dreams into motion as his plans started to come together. Miller started to communicate with area banks, and they asked for a “business plan.” Although Miller has a lot of experience in retail, and in this specific field, he needed a little extra guidance to help to get a business plan created.
Through a little research Miller found a company in River Falls SBDC (Small Business Development Center), and they helped create a business plan. With their guidance, he was able to get all his plans on paper and begin to move forward with his dreams. The hurdles he had to overcome in that time were the financing, where he would set up shop, and lastly, an architect to help change the layout for the renovations.
Then came the hard part of renovating the newly acquired space, with some unforeseen benefits.
“I’ve been working here the past few months, and I feel very tired but great!” said Miller. “It’s my ‘new’ way of therapy.”
“Now that renovations have been completed, we have encountered a few small hurtles that have put us behind a little bit but nothing major,” said Miller. “Thanks to family and friends, it has made the job much easier and more affordable.”
Miller also has a decade of experience working at a NAPA in his earlier years. Miller explained that he has spent a majority of his life working in “retail” and that he’s “Ready for this! The new business will be up and running soon!”
His goals with the new NAPA are to be more than “just a parts store,” to continue to support the community in a variety of ways and to forge good relationships with other businesses to help make an impact on Amery residents. Miller mentioned he will do this through being an active part of the Amery community.
He also has some advice for anyone looking to chase a dream of their own.
“Chase it!” said Miller. “Nobody’s going to do it for you. It’s been hard, really hard. If you’re really determined, you can get there. It’s not easy but, you can do it! My perseverance, stubbornness, and confidence has gotten me here.”