From classic trucks and exotics to private car clubs and social lounges, this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast dives into the story behind 111 Motorcars in Franklin, TN. Host Jim McCarthy sits down with executive assistant and car enthusiast Taylor Qualls to unpack how 111 is blending high-end automotive storage, sales, service, hospitality, and private membership into a “Four Seasons of the automotive world” experience. Taylor shares how growing up around tools, construction, and cars led her into this unique role, how competitive golf shaped her mindset, and why Middle Tennessee has become a new epicenter for wealth, car culture, and entrepreneurship. They also explore podcasting and content opportunities, future expansion of 111’s social club, and the evolving landscape of Franklin, Spring Hill, and Leiper’s Fork. Perfect for car enthusiasts, business owners, and anyone curious about how innovative concepts are reshaping local communities in Middle Tennessee. Timed Highlights 0:01:43 – Every car has a story: why car people are so passionate 0:02:04 – Kicking off the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast 0:03:07 – Sponsor shoutouts: Christian Brothers Automotive and Mule Town Bikes 0:05:00 – Introducing guest Taylor Qualls of 111 Motorcars 0:05:40 – What makes 111 Motorcars different: museum-level variety under one roof 0:06:51 – Growing up on job sites and around classic cars with her dad 0:08:30 – Construction, remodeling, and cars: skills that overlap 0:09:54 – Dust, loops, and traffic lights: Jim’s electrical apprentice days 0:10:20 – How golf took over Taylor’s life and shaped her mindset 0:13:49 – College golf dreams, COVID, and why she stepped away from competing 0:15:00 – Golf as networking and mental training for business 0:17:32 – The big hairy audacious goal for 111: growth and building processes 0:18:27 – Systems, SOPs, and why even “sexy” businesses need structure 0:18:47 – The story behind the 111 name and its symbolism 0:20:00 – Who is Jeremy and what is his background in automotive and hospitality 0:22:07 – Client-facing roles and the realities of the car business 0:23:18 – Bartending, hospitality, and why 111 aims to be the “Four Seasons of automotive” 0:24:05 – Full spectrum inventory: from SUVs and trucks to Ferraris and Bentleys 0:25:00 – Consignment, trades, and why 111 is more than “just exotics” 0:25:39 – Indoor storage, indoor showroom, and how 111 uses the space 0:26:55 – Tailored storage programs and why every car has its own needs 0:27:09 – Club versus storage: how the membership model works 0:29:05 – How and why people store everything from classics to daily drivers 0:30:00 – Taylor’s family’s 1955 Dodge pickup and why it’s so special 0:31:26 – Auto spa, detailing, ceramic coating, and partner services like tinting 0:33:15 – Inspiration from prestige auto spas and adding hospitality elements 0:34:09 – Bringing Curio Brewing into the space for coffee and beer 0:35:00 – Building a food and cocktail menu for members and the private club 0:35:35 – Bourbon culture, potential brand partnerships, and unique member perks 0:37:52 – Content ideas: on-site podcast studio, cross-branding, and member stories 0:39:44 – Functioning as an automotive art gallery inside a dealership 0:40:55 – Some members hide cars from their spouses, others visit daily 0:41:53 – Why people really use storage: space, moving, part-time residents 0:43:11 – Dream cars from high school: Saleen S7s and old Land Rovers 0:44:30 – Jim’s path from radio to highline car sales and the life change it brought 0:45:38 – Reliability myths, YouTube fixes, and wrenching on Land Rovers 0:46:15 – The Suzuki Samurai first car story and simple old-school mechanics 0:47:49 – DeLoreans, Supras, and modern values on “undesirable” 80s and 90s cars 0:48:00 – Why people would rebuy cars they used to hate in high school 0:50:02 – The “everybody is in sales” philosophy at 111 and at J Squared 0:51:04 – Visiting Prestige Imports in Miami and the realities of supercar ownership 0:52:52 – The ungraceful reality of getting in and out of low exotics 0:54:38 – Pagani, Koenigsegg, and ultra-rare exotics as rolling art 0:55:17 – Hand-built cars, price ranges, and relationship-based buying 0:56:40 – How picky brands can be about buyers and modifications 0:59:14 – The explosion of car culture in Middle Tennessee and Cars & Caffeine events 1:00:16 – How new wealth is reshaping Franklin and Middle Tennessee 1:01:47 – Old money vs new developments like June Lake, The Grove, and Troubadour 1:02:27 – Native perspective: why growth doesn’t bother Taylor 1:03:37 – Parallels with growth in Vegas and other cities 1:05:00 – Leiper’s Fork then and now, and how national attention changed it 1:07:41 – Building custom systems and CRM for a business with many verticals 1:10:00 – “From a Prius to a Pagani”: 111’s service philosophy and team talent 1:11:31 – Why ambitious multi-leg businesses need real processes 1:14:03 – Coaching the team to see everyone as sales and hospitality 1:15:18 – Why Jeremy is the driving vision behind 111 and how he leads 1:16:30 – Why nobody can tell the 111 story like its founder 1:17:05 – How to learn more about 111 and where the collaboration might go next Links 111 Motorcars: https://111motorcars.com Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast: https://mmtbp.com _____________________________________________________________________ ****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast: www.mmtbp.com www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos __________________________________________________________ Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP. Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept: https://linktr.ee/mamwmw ___________________________________________________________ If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours! https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668 ___________________________________________________________ ***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”: https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip _________________________________________________________________ The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a...
