Podcast

Nickolas Richter
Nickolas Richter

Nickolas Richter is the Store Manager at Les Schwab Tire Center in Richfield, MN, a leading tire and vehicle maintenance company renowned for its world-class customer service and strong community involvement. Founded in 1952, Les Schwab has expanded to over 600 locations and is recognized for promoting employees from within, with Nick advancing through the ranks since joining the company in 2015. In addition to leading his team, Nick mentors young people, advocates for the value of hard work and skilled trades as rewarding career paths, and frequently speaks at local high schools to inspire the next generation.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • [3:23] Nickolas Richter shares how he landed a dream job at Les Schwab
  • [6:17] Value of skilled trades over traditional college pathways
  • [13:19] Les Schwab’s founding story and company culture of hard work
  • [19:33] Where to put new tires for maximum road safety
  • [23:16] Simple car checks that prevent expensive, dangerous breakdowns
  • [27:09] Busting the “quarter test” myth for checking your tire tread
  • [38:50] Why buying used tires could put your family at risk

In this episode…

Success doesn’t always start with a diploma or a perfectly mapped-out plan. Sometimes it begins with persistence, humility, and a willingness to serve, but what actually builds a career that feels both stable and meaningful?

Drawing from his experience as a leader who worked his way up from sweeping floors to running a store, Nickolas Richter explains that the turning point wasn’t just hard work; it was shifting his focus from “How much can I get done?” to “How many people can I help?” He shares how learning to care deeply for customers and employees alike changed the trajectory of his growth and opened doors he never expected. Nick’s story is a reminder that when service becomes the priority, success tends to follow.

In this episode of the Align & Abide podcast, Dr. Kim Tran is joined by Nickolas Richter, Store Manager at Les Schwab Tire Center in Richfield, MN, to discuss building a rewarding career through hard work and serving others. They explore rising through the trades without a degree, the power of persistence, and why caring for people creates lasting impact. Nick also shares practical advice on vehicle safety and simple maintenance tips to protect your family on the road.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments

  • “When you realize that there’s nothing in this world that’s for free. Hard work pays off.” 
  • “Without good employees that feel appreciated and taken care of, you don’t get that world-class customer service.” 
  • “Working on cars is easy. Anybody can learn that.” 
  • “But making having somebody that truly cares about the person that walks through that door and wants to make sure that they’re safe when they get back on the road, that’s not always the easiest thing to find.” 
  • “As long as you’re willing to learn and you’re willing to put in the hard work, you’re going to, you’re going to get wherever you want to go.”

Action Steps

  1. Embrace hard work early in your career: Developing a strong work ethic builds resilience, credibility, and long-term opportunities for growth.
  2. Focus on serving people first: Prioritizing the needs of others naturally creates trust, loyalty, and sustainable professional success.
  3. Seek mentors who model leadership and integrity: Learning from experienced leaders accelerates growth and provides guidance through challenges.
  4. Stay open to learning new skills: A willingness to be taught allows you to adapt, improve, and expand your career possibilities.
  5. Invest in preventative maintenance for your vehicle: Proactively caring for your car protects your safety, reduces costly repairs, and safeguards others on the road.

Sponsor for this episode:

This episode is brought to you by Minnesota Family Chiropractic, a wellness clinic founded and led by Dr. Kim Tran. 

Dedicated to helping patients find lasting relief and vibrant health through chiropractic care, nutrition, and functional medicine, Minnesota Family Chiropractic is on a mission to transform lives — physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Its Signature Wellness System focuses on whole-person care to address the root causes — not just the symptoms — so you can get back to living fully.

Ready to start your path toward better health? Visit MinnesotaFamilyChiropractic.com or call (612) 545-5672 to schedule your consultation and experience integrative, patient-centered care.

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