Sam D’Arc: Promote Your People From Within

The Dealer Playbook

Hey, DPB gang! You’re in for a real treat today. I’m sitting down with my good friend and COO of Ziegler Auto Group, Sam D’Arc, and trust me when I say this is not your typical conversation about selling cars. In fact, we’re not talking about selling cars at all. Sam and I dive deep into what really makes a dealership thrive—and spoiler alert—it’s not just about inventory or car payments.

But here’s the deal: Sam and I go beyond the sales floor and get into what really makes an auto group thrive. We’re talking culture, passion, and what it means to create a lifelong love affair with your people. Imagine walking into a dealership where the focus is on celebrating employees living their best lives, not just pushing numbers. We dig into how Ziegler is making that happen across 41 rooftops and what it means to foster an environment where people can grow, evolve, and find their calling—whether it’s turning a wrench or syncing someone’s Bluetooth.

But more than that, this episode is about breaking the mold—how treating your employees right leads to treating your customers right, and why chasing a journey with no end might just be the key to lasting success. You’ll walk away from this one inspired, with a fresh perspective on leadership, culture, and the power of doing business differently. Plus, I threw in a couple of listener questions, including one about Sam’s favorite failure that will hit home for anyone who's ever faced a setback.

Thanks, Sam D’Arc!

If you enjoyed this episode featuring Sam D’Arc, support us by clicking the links!

• Connect with Sam D’Arc on LinkedIn

Listen to the full episode for insights and context from Sam D’Arc!

⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!

Connect with Michael Cirillo

• Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

CLICK HERE to learn more about The Dealer Playbook!

Sell Smarter, Not Harder

AutoFi helps progressive dealers like you sell smarter, not harder—on your dealership website and, now, in your showroom, too.

AutoFi solves the everyday problems dealers actually face: like bottlenecks at the sales desk, customer distrust, and decision overload. And their all-new showroom solution includes deal estimation, desking, lender routing, and an F&I menu – all in one powerful platform that bridges the gap between the CRM and DMS.

Go to AutoFi.com/dealerplaybook to learn more. And start selling smarter, today.

Kapitler

1. Energy Drink Review for Dealer Playbook (00:00:00)

2. Employee Development and Brand Alignment (00:08:53)

3. Building a Sustainable Company Culture (00:16:23)

4. Cultivating a Strong Organizational Culture (00:22:31)