Sometimes the greatest success stories don't start with a diploma. Nolan Campbell left Poynette High School during his senior year, earned his HSED through Madison College, and went to work full-time at Bell Ford. What could have been a dead end became the beginning of something extraordinary.
Bill Bell saw something in this determined young man—a "thirst" to learn the business, a discipline to work, and a dream of someday owning the dealership. Mr. Bell gave him a chance, and Nolan never looked back. By 19, he was running the service department, earning the respect of technicians twice his age through mutual respect and a team-first philosophy that still defines Bell Ford today.
"I can't help but think that Mr. Bell saved me by giving me this opportunity."
In 2008, when Ford Motor Company offered Bell Ford a buyout during the recession, Nolan refused to accept defeat. He arrived at work at 3am, poring over financial statements, determined to prove they didn't need Ford's offer. That morning, when Mr. Bell walked in and saw Nolan on a mission, he simply said, "See what you can come up with." Together with a team that bought in completely, they pulled through—with heartache, tears, and an incredible amount of determination to prove they were meant for bigger and better things.
Nolan became an approved Ford owner and purchased the dealership entirely in 2013. They broke ground on a new facility that September and moved in by May 2014 with just 13 employees. Since then, they've expanded the retail service department and built a state-of-the-art Commercial Vehicle Center. Today, Bell Ford employs 75 people and continues to grow.
