Success in the automotive industry isn’t about selling cars—it’s about making smart, strategic decisions that build lasting value. No one embodies this more than Sam Mahrouq, our fearless leader and an entrepreneur who grew a single dealership into a billion-dollar enterprise spanning three continents, 25 businesses, and over 650 employees. His secret? He didn’t just think like a dealer. He thought like an investor.

When I look at Sam’s journey, I see the blueprint for every independent dealer who wants to scale their business beyond the lot. He didn’t just solve problems—he turned them into opportunities. When financing challenges arose, he created solutions. When technology lagged, he built ikon Technologies. When he saw gaps in insurance and financial services, he expanded into those sectors. Every move was calculated, every decision an investment in future growth.

At National Lenders General Agency, we share this mindset. We don’t just provide products—we provide pathways for dealers to maximize profitability, protect their assets, and think bigger. We put every client first. We start with your needs and business and provide the best solutions designed for you. If you win, we win alongside you. But we assure you that you will always win first. That’s why we’re launching our Annual Outlook Guide, Think Like an Investor, to help dealers see beyond the day-to-day grind and into the future of their business.

Sam’s story proves that independent dealers have the power to build empires. It starts with a shift in perspective. Are you thinking like a dealer, or are you thinking like an investor? Download the guide and take the first step toward making every decision count.

Eric Hurst

COO and EVP

National Lenders General Agency, LLC