Geri Roskopf’s Blog

While most in the towing and recovery industry think a Know Before You Tow slogan would be geared toward towing operators, I would add all other support specialists in a company such as dispatchers, managers administrative staff, etc. If I was asked what my job title and duties are, I would say I am an…

It has become a tradition at the Wisconsin Tow Show to display company flags on a rope between two tow trucks with the motto:  flying high with company pride. Along with company flags, the American flag, the Wisconsin state flag and the thin, yellow line flag representing tow operators are also on display. The American…

Starting a business in no small feat. They say roughly 20% of new businesses don’t make it past the first year. Do the benefits of small business ownership outweigh the negative? After facing a few challenges each day, I usually say (sarcastically), “Oh, the joys of owning a business!” While my husband worked for his…

I was heading out to do errands, and as I was going out the door, I shouted to my employees that I was leaving for about an hour and to call if they needed anything. Half way to my first stop, I realized I forgot my phone. At first, I was going to turn around…

Spring brings much hope to us in what Mother Nature offers in the blossoming of flowers sprouting from the ground, which not too long ago where I live, was covered with snow. It brings a true meaning to the phrase, April showers brings May flowers. This is also the time of year when gardeners and…

I often refer to working with my husband as a two-way street. He goes his way (towing) and I go my way (office). Most of the time, this keeps both of us busy, out each other’s way, and sane. As many of you know, it’s not easy working with your husband 24/7/365, or for that…

It was 4:15 last Friday afternoon. I received a call from a woman who needed her car towed A.S.A.P. She needed to get the vehicle to a dealership within the next half hour because she didn’t know if the service department closed at 5:00 because of St. Patrick’s Day. She also said she needed a…

In our industry, when someone says “it’s a total loss,” we assume they’re referring to a vehicle. Last week I learned of the passing of a tower and I thought, what a total loss for our industry. Bill Tomlinson is from the small town of Ashland, Wis., located at the farthest northern tip of the…

I recently read an article titled, “The Supreme Title,” referring to the use of the title of tow operator or towman. It stated: “A tower is not a grunt. He’s a skilled worker that risks life and limb every day at work. The exalted title, however, is “Towman”. Yes, even if the operator is a…

Some day I’m going to write a book about the stories I’ve heard from customers whose vehicles we towed in to our yard. I try to believe the best of everyone, but sometimes I wonder what tale I’m going to be told. When someone walks into the lobby, I usually can tell what kind of…