Written by Amanda Coers – Michael Welle is an honest man who will tell he didn’t go to college. “I’m a flunky,” he laughs. “I don’t have three or four college degrees behind my name.” One thing Welle does know: how to treat his customers with integrity.

Michael Welle purchased Hawk Hill Sales in Early from Billy Driskill in October 2015. Previously, Welle owned Brownwood Towing. It was after he sold the local towing business that he learned of a new opportunity.

 

“I did all my banking with TexasBank, and they knew when I sold Brownwood Towing I was looking for another business,” Welle explained. “They were nice enough to keep me in mind when things became available.”

Tim Espinoza with TexasBank called Welle and said, “I’ve got the right business for you, it’s right up your alley.”

“I came and looked at it,” Welle said. “The business had already been here about five years, the previous owner did a good job building a customer base, and I had something to work with, and we managed to build it from there.”

He certainly did. In one area alone Welle has seen tremendous success through the store’s Hustler Turf Equipment sales.

Michael Welle, owner of Hawk Hill Sales

In 2015, just months after Welle purchased the business, Hawk Hill Sales increased their Hustler equipment sales by 560 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. The following year, Hawk Hill continued their push for growth and saw an increase of 150 percent. This continued excellence in sales has earned Welle and the team at Hawk Hill Sales the title of Diamond Level Dealer, the highest dealer classification for Hustler.

Hawk Hill Sales was presented with the “Rising Star Award” in 2016 at the Hustler Turf Equipment Bi-Annual Dealer Meeting.

“Hustler is proud of what Hawk Hill Sales in Early has done,” said Mike Tirrell, Hustler Territory Sales Manager for North Texas and Central New Mexico. “With his new location in Brownwood, we’re excited to see him continue to grow. He’s a good business man who knows how to take care of customers.”

Welle has managed to turn a few heads with his drive and dedication.

“Just after I bought Hawk Hill, Hustler had a contest for high producing dealers to win a trip to Cancun, but we had not received any additional information about the contest,” he remembered. “I called them up and asked why, and they said it was for bigger volume dealerships and chances are we wouldn’t qualify out in Early Texas.”

Welle persisted and asked to be sent the rules for the contest. Hawk Hill Sales not only qualified, they won as the number one gaining store in the United States.

He gives credit to his employees and the support of the local community for the success in his business.

“I have been very fortunate to hire the right people. It is so important to me that we give good service with the products that we sell, including after the sale,” Welle said. “I tell my employees ‘we’re going to do the right thing 100 percent of the time.’ We’ve always done the right thing.”

And certainly this dedication to integrity has translated into a loyal customer base rich with referrals. While Welle may tease about his lack of college education, traditional morals is not usually offered as a class at a university. It’s something he learned from his father and his uncle.

“My uncle went through the sixth grade and that was it, no education after that,” said Welle. “When he passed away at 85, he was a millionaire several times over. He always took me under his wing as a kid and would ask me where I was going in life.”

With the strong business sense he inherited, Welle could have gone just about anywhere in life, but he’s made the Brownwood/Early area his home.

“I think this is a great area to open a business. If you have good ethics and morals, the town is going to welcome you and you’re going to do very well,” he said. “Early and Brownwood produce good, loyal customers, who don’t hesitate to recommend or refer.”

Hawk Hill Sales was selected as Small Business of the Month by the Early Chamber of Commerce for March 2017.

Hawk Hill Sales offers hunting and outdoor equipment such as customized golf carts and hunting carts, ATVs, UTVs, Hustler mowers as well as used equipment. They offer a wide selection of Hustler Zero Turn Mowers, Deer Blinds, Feeders, and Skid Steer Attachments. Hawk Hill Sales also offers equipment maintenance services for their products. Their team of qualified mechanics can fix many different models. Additionally, the company offers a warranty service for most leading brands.

Hawk Hill Sales now has two locations: 614 Early Boulevard, in Early, and 600 Main Street in Brownwood.