For Robert Turner, running a dealership isn’t just about business, it’s a lifelong passion.
NEDERLAND, Texas — A father-son duo is making waves in the automotive industry, not just selling cars but also paving the way for black owned businesses.
For Robert Turner, running a dealership isn’t just about business, it’s a lifelong passion. Turner, now the President and CEO of JK Subaru, JK Chevrolet, and Turner Chevrolet Crosby, started his journey nearly five decades ago in the service department of Freeman Oldsmobile in Dallas.
“49 years ago, I went to work for Freeman Oldsmobile in the Dallas market in the service side of the business, and I was intrigued with the sales side of the business and often asked how to get in that part,” said Turner.
With passion, perseverance, and community support, Turner built his business from the ground up. Today, JK Subaru in Nederland is one of the few Black-owned dealerships in the region. But for the Turner family, their business is about more than just selling cars.
“Working with our people to help them understand that you’re trying to help someone with one of the largest financial decisions that they make on a regular basis in their life, only second to a home or a business, and they don’t do that very often,” Turner explained.
As the family looks to expand and inspire the next generation of entrepreneur, they hope their story encourages others to follow their dreams, one mile at a time.
“I want to be known for being in the community and always supporting the community in a major way, because this community has given to us so much,” Daylyn Turner said.
Daylyn Turner, now vice president of JK Subaru, takes great pride in continuing the family’s legacy.
“That was really my motivation for coming here. Um, I had a few other aspirations, but legacy was very important especially us being minority African American. You know, that meant a lot because we don’t get these types of opportunities,” said Daylyn.
Despite their success, Robert Turner says he wants customers to focus on their experience rather than the identity of those behind the business.
“‘I didn’t know he was Black.’ Yeah, that’s the whole idea. We, don’t want you to know that. We’ve been pretty invisible in this market, and we’re happy when people say, ‘I didn’t know,’ because that’s not how we advertise, it’s not how we market,” said Robert Turner.
With this commitment to excellence and community, the turner family is continuing to drive change one car sale at a time.
