Ready to Grow—But Missing a Network
John Nesmith founded Meridian Automotive in 1993. What began as a way to support his love for racing evolved into a thriving shop with a loyal customer base and a focus on great culture. After the first decade of building the business, John turned his attention inward—asking how he could become a stronger, more intentional business owner.
He’d tried different kinds of coaching before: a few training courses, a peer group for automotive shop owners, even some sales and communication workshops for his team. But none of them challenged his thinking or broadened his perspective.
That changed when he joined the Whetstone Board of Advisors, a peer coaching group facilitated by Deliberate Directions. Unlike anything he’d done before, Whetstone offered a space to talk about more than cars—it was about business, leadership, and life.
Cautious but Curious
John admits he’s not someone who immediately jumps into new groups. “I tend to watch from the back of the room,” he said. But he knew he needed to stretch himself, and Whetstone offered the kind of structure and support that made that risk feel worth it.
He committed to one year, approached it with cautious optimism, and quickly began to feel the impact. He found a group of professionals he could trust, learn from, and be held accountable by.
Accountability, Confidence, and Perspective
Early on, the group created an accountability jar: $5 for missing a commitment. But they realized $5 didn’t sting enough—so they raised it to $50, with the funds going to a cause no one would naturally choose. “We haven’t added a dollar since,” John said.
The structure worked. John began to take bolder action and celebrate his wins—something he hadn’t done much before. “I always thought you just do good work because you have integrity,” he said. “But celebrating progress shifted my mindset.”
He also leaned on the group when planning a company event for visiting professionals. Feeling overwhelmed, he asked for help. One member suggested hiring an event planner. When he finally reached out, the planner said he didn’t need them—he’d already done a great job. That confidence boost stuck with him.
Lifelong Learning, Shared Wisdom
Whetstone also gave John access to people outside the automotive world. In one session, a financial planner walked the group through key strategies. That led to a follow-up session where the group split into teams and presented chapters from a financial book—something outside John’s usual rhythm, but memorable and valuable.
The structure of Whetstone—a biweekly, 90-minute meeting facilitated by the Deliberate Directions team—gave him space to think differently, lead better, and work on himself, not just the business.
Leading with Perspective and Purpose
Today, John describes Whetstone as “trustworthy, educational, and a community.” It’s helped him reduce social anxiety, build confidence, and surround himself with people who want him to succeed.
“I love learning, whether reading a book or talking to somebody,” he said. “I want to find a way to improve myself.”
And now, more than ever, he’s doing exactly that.
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