Denny Hecker grew up in north Minneapolis where he attended Patrick Henry High School. While he loved his years at Patrick Henry, his "life education” came from people.
As an entrepreneur, Denny believes we all have the opportunity to be educators of the world. His life education really came from the realization of what great passion can do for a person and their future. He was blessed to be in the company of such great Minnesota entrepreneurs like Walter Bush, former owner of the Minnesota North Stars and Harvey Wilkins, one of the Twin Cities’ early automotive pioneers.
The impact of these and other trailblazers in the local business market helped put Minnesota on the map as a place where anyone with drive, ambition, energy and a desire for success could realize their dreams and beyond. Denny believes that if you are truly focused on the mission, able to recognize your passion and combine those two elements into a positive experience with people, you will achieve success.
Denny has taken his ambition, drive, desire and passion and built an empire that today spans automotive retail, rental, leasing and fleet, real estate, mortgage, insurance, restaurant and many other investments. His ability to recognize opportunity and turn it into reality is one of the many lessons he learned and developed from his mentors.
John Wooden, former coach of the UCLA basketball team in the 60's and 70's once said "There is something inherently simple, noble and modest about a leader that sees his role as a TEACHER and not a BOSS". For Denny there were no truer words spoken. His greatest joy comes from watching the people he has given a “leg up” to in business and watching them become successful. “The only thing that compensates for my loss of these great employees is the knowledge that we've achieved success along the way and that I've done my part by being a great teacher and part of their success story. My hope is that they remember that they were once given an opportunity and that they pass that on to the next person with the same passion and drive that they felt when they started out.”
How does this translate into car sales? Denny’s 35+ years of experience include washing, driving, selling and managing every aspect of the automotive experience. There isn’t a job at a dealership he hasn’t done or wouldn’t do. He believes teamwork in fact does have an “I” in it because “I need to care so my team will care about me”. So whether you know Denny in the community with his passion to help children and families in the Twin Cities, through a business deal or if you see him at a basketball or hockey game, you know instantly what he believes: everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. He expects excellence from everyone around him and believes in some very simple truths:
• Treat customers like gold
• Sell cars and service to everyone
• You have to love what you do - and it will show
When you ask him about his philosophy, what he believes are the core values that are crucial to success, he will tell you:
• Risk more than others think is safe
• Care more than others will
• Do more than others expect
• Expect more than others think is possible
• Adapt quickly to change
• Smile
• Give back to where you came from
• Help kids every chance you get
Count on Denny Hecker to deliver a fair deal and a fair price. We really mean it when we say we are “Good People Helping Good People!”
