What Rock Climbing Can Teach Golf Cart Dealers About Business Success

Chris Sharma is one of the world's elite rock climbers, tackling impossible-looking cliff faces and rock formations that would terrify most of us just to look at. But watching him work reveals something fascinating: the same principles that help him conquer seemingly impossible climbs can transform how you approach your golf cart dealership.

Take five minutes to watch the video, and then come back for the following lessons.

After watching Sharma in action, five key lessons emerged that directly apply to running a successful dealership. I've organized them using the acronym C.L.I.M.B. to help you remember these principles as you navigate the daily challenges of dealership ownership.

C = Consistent Process

While Sharma might appear to be a free spirit scaling walls on instinct alone, he actually follows a rigorous process. He carefully analyzes each rock face, studying the structure and mapping out his approach. The specific route changes with each climb, but his analytical process remains constant.

Your dealership needs the same consistency. Whether you're evaluating inventory purchases, hiring decisions, or customer service protocols, having a reliable process ensures better outcomes. Create standardized approaches for key activities like qualifying customers, conducting trade-in evaluations, or handling service appointments. The details might vary with each situation, but your underlying process should be rock-solid.

L = Literal Planning

In the video, Sharma and his climbing partner lie on the ground studying the wall above, literally planning each handhold before he begins his ascent. He knows he might need to adjust once he's actually climbing, but he starts with a detailed roadmap.

Golf cart dealers who succeed do the same thing. They don't just hope for good months – they plan for them. Map out your inventory needs for different seasons, plan your marketing campaigns months in advance, and create detailed budgets that account for both expected expenses and potential opportunities. You'll inevitably need to adjust your plan as market conditions change, but starting without one is like climbing blindfolded.

I = Incomprehensible Persistence

Rock climbing demands incredible persistence. Sharma talks about attempts that take years to complete, dealing with calluses, cuts, frustration, and even depression along the way. But he emphasizes the importance of "coming back with a positive attitude."

Dealership ownership requires the same relentless persistence. Some months will test your resolve – slow sales, difficult customers, unexpected expenses, or supply chain disruptions. The dealers who thrive long-term are those who maintain their positive attitude and keep showing up, even when the immediate results don't match their efforts. Your persistence often determines whether a challenging period becomes a temporary setback or a permanent roadblock.

M = Massive Courage

Watching Sharma climb structures that would scare most people just to look at reminds us that significant achievements require courage. Whether he's bouldering without ropes or tackling 60-foot cliff faces, each climb demands that he move beyond the fear of falling.

Running a golf cart dealership takes similar courage. It requires the bravery to invest in inventory when the market seems uncertain, to hire additional staff when cash flow is tight, or to expand your service offerings when competition is fierce. Every significant business decision involves some level of risk and fear. The most successful dealers learn to acknowledge that fear while making courageous decisions anyway.

B = Bold Risks

There's a climbing move called a "dyno" where the climber must completely release all four contact points and leap toward a distant hold. It's a calculated risk that could result in a significant fall, but sometimes it's the only way to reach the next level.

Your dealership will face similar moments – opportunities that require bold moves. Maybe it's investing in a new location, adding a major new product line, or completely overhauling your customer experience. These decisions feel risky because they are risky. But like Sharma's dynamic moves, they're often necessary to reach the next level of success.

Applying These Lessons to Your Dealership

Each of these principles directly translates to dealership success:

Process wins every time. Without consistent systems, you're operating on hope rather than strategy.

Planning provides direction. You'll need flexibility as conditions change, but you must start with a clear road map.

Persistence separates survivors from quitters. Some challenges take months or years to overcome, but maintaining a positive attitude while pushing through difficulties is essential.

Courage enables growth. The biggest opportunities often come disguised as scary decisions that require you to step outside your comfort zone.

Bold risks create breakthrough results. Whether you succeed massively or learn valuable lessons, calculated risks almost always move you forward.

You may never scale a cliff face, but running a successful golf cart dealership requires the same mental approach that makes elite climbers successful. The rocks might be different, but the principles are universal.

So, whether you're facing inventory decisions, staffing challenges, or market competition, remember to C.L.I.M.B. Each element builds on the others, creating a framework for tackling whatever obstacles your dealership encounters.

The view from the top – a thriving, profitable dealership that serves your community well – is worth every challenging step of the climb.