Headstrong Off-Road

Since learning the original team has moved on (Marie), has anyone worked with the new contacts?
While I do try to support local, Headstrong has usually my #1 recommendation to people lifting their Tacomas. Marie really made it informative and hassle free when it came to ordering or better understanding the parts I wanted. I wish she had stuck around longer. I wish her and her husband the best. I'm hoping the new contacts will continue the same support.

 

I thought Marie was headstrong, tell us more.

 

How recently was this? I just ordered and received the HS AAL like 3 weeks ago and service/shipping was awesome.

 

I’ve been trying to call for months and no one gets back. Got through over email though and got my parts no problem.

 

Interested in finding out more.

I've ordered from them twice. Probably only totaled a K worth of stuff, but they were great. I know they were swamped last summer when I talked to them-a small popular shop, so not surprised.

 

Is Headstrong still on Hemet? I stopped by last May to check out their shop n met Marie. They were closed cuz covid bit happen to be there at the time. Marie was helpful with some questions I had n even directed me to some other local shops in the area.

 

Please tell us more. When did this happen? When did she leave? Did they sell the business? More info please?

 

I'm basing my info off the discussion in this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/need-help-outfitting-2013-tx-pro.705869/

If this isn't true then I'd be happy. Sounds like they sold the business. @hoarder23

 

You know, anytime I tagged her/Headstrong in a post I would look at the profile and make sure I’m using the right name for her, I have a problem with Maria and Marie (and other names like Rich or Rick). Anyway, before I bought some UCAs off of them in early Jan I noticed her name was not on the profile and thought it was odd. I guess this is why.

 

Welp, that kind of sucks as Marie really made the business from the customer service aspect. I wish them well.

 

I wouldnt be surprised if Headstrong was purchased by the same group that owes the Wheeler, TrailGear and All Pro brands.

(I got HS and Wheeler mixed up)

It's happening in all the niche markets. One group is snatching up the Euro market vendors like ECS Tuning, Turner Motorsports, etc...but keeping the "brand".

 

Trail Gear is the company that owns them all, Wheeler's, All Pro, Low Range, etc

 

o̶w̶n̶s̶ ruined

 

Is what it is, just the nature of capitalism I guess. Sucks to see a good mom and pop company with rare customer service get sold off to a big corp, but at the same time can't blame them for their success and capitalizing on it.

 

You could argue that All-Pro didn’t need help to pull that off

 

There's a pattern here. Resellers/storefronts that were started by enthusiasts and that have achieved moderate success .....are being purchased and consolidated under one single umbrella.

@whatstcp Jim Powell was just a regular car guy who started Apexcone. He then dove headfirst into the HID world and became DDM Tuning and then invested in ECS (who were also a bunch of car guys). ECS was sold recently when there was a whirlwind of acquisitions.

The above is similar to Wheeler and Headstrong. Enthusiast(s) founded shops/store being purchased for their "brand".

These guys were successful with SEO and distribution/drop-shipping before all this social media stuff. And now that these companies are mature, the real business sharks started feeding.
Similar to WME-IMG buying the UFC from the Fertittas.

(I am not a business/MBA person. The above is purely my thoughts as a retail consumer)

 

This bums me out.

 

I ordered from em last night. I guess I'll see how it goes