In this episode of Street to Suite, Simon Zelman sits down with Jared Kugel, founder and CEO of Tire Agent, to explore the journey behind building a successful online tire business.

Jared shares how growing up in the tire industry shaped his entrepreneurial path, why his first business ideas failed, and how multiple pivots eventually led to Tire Agent. He opens up about investor rejection, financial struggles, nearly losing everything, and the mindset that helped him keep moving forward.

The conversation also covers fundraising, dilution, customer loyalty, e-commerce, customer service, and why listening to customers and focusing on continuous improvement have been key to Tire Agent's growth.

• Lessons from growing up in a family business
• Why entrepreneurs need to embrace failure and pivot quickly
• How Jared navigated investor rejection and fundraising
• Why focusing on small milestones can overcome big challenges
• The importance of customer service and listening to feedback
• How to approach investors as partners rather than just sources of capital
• Why persistence, patience, and commitment matter when building a business

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaredkugel
• Website: tireagent.com

Street to Suite explores the real stories behind successful careers, businesses, and leadership, sharing the lessons you don't always learn in school.

Listen to this episode for an inside look at entrepreneurship, resilience, fundraising, and the journey from the street to the suite.