In Coldwater, Ohio, Walter Raffel has built a modest lawn and garden operation into Raffle’s Engine Service, a thriving dealership that's been serving rural Ohio for 72 years.
Walter took over the family business from his father in 1977, inheriting equipment, inventory, and a legacy of hard work and integrity.
"When we first moved here with the lawn and garden, we were doing about 100 grand. We're over 7 million now," Walter reflects. "So again, not large, but we're doing something right, I guess."
That "something" is a combination of old-school values and smart business evolution. The dealership has become a major Polaris dealer since 1989, operating three warehouses and employing 11 people.
Walter's approach to small-town customer service is refreshingly simple: "Treat people like you want to be treated." This approach has created legendary customer loyalty. Walter shares a perfect example: when a farmer bought a zero-turn mower without consulting his wife, who actually did the mowing, Walter didn't just deliver the equipment and leave.
"I got her out there and I showed her how to run the mower," Walter recalls. "I said, 'Turn the blade off and grab your husband's best hat. Throw it out in the middle of the yard...and practice going around that hat.'" Once she got the hang of it, she sent other customers Walter’s way.
Perhaps what makes Raffles Engine Service most unique is Walter's understanding that success in the dealership business requires genuine passion and commitment. His son, set to inherit the dealership, chose another career path. Walter supports his son’s decision: “I could tell he didn't have it in his gut. It's got to be there, and if it ain't there, he should try something different, because you’ve got to have the passion for it–it's not an eight to five job." Walter works alongside his wife Sandy, whom he calls his "best salesperson."
When asked about his motto for handling tough days, Walter's response captures the resilient spirit that has carried the business through seven decades: "Tomorrow's going to be another one. Keep on trucking, about the only thing you can do."
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