Ride-in-Style Podcast: Episode 25 Ray Bedner of Classic Soft Trim Pittsburgh
- 00:00 – Introduction & Welcome
- 01:23 – Start in the Automotive Industry
- 03:40 – Operations, Sales, and Lessons Learned
- 04:55 – Advice to His Younger Self
- 05:40 – Biggest Challenges in the Industry
- 08:16 – What Sets Classic Soft Trim Apart
- 11:21 – Taking Ownership & Family Support
- 15:33 – SEMA Pro Cup & Industry Networking
- 24:01 – Advice for Builders & Closing Thoughts
From Sunroofs to SEMA: How Classic Soft Trim Pittsburgh Put Creativity on the National Stage
When you think of Pittsburgh, steel and grit come to mind. It’s no surprise then that one of the toughest, most creative shops in the automotive restyling business calls the city home. Ray Ebner, owner of Classic Soft Trim Pittsburgh, didn’t start out as a shop owner or even as a technician. His path into the business is a story of persistence, adaptability, and a little bit of sports grit that carried him from installing sunroofs to hoisting the SEMA PRO Cup Challenge trophy.
Finding His Way Into the Industry
Ray wasn’t born under a hood. He was an athlete first, playing baseball through college before dabbling in coaching. But with a father already in the automotive industry and friends tied to Classic Soft Trim, the pull of the business was strong.
His early days were hands-on. “I was probably the worst installer ever,” he laughs, recalling his time fitting leather interiors and sunroofs. Still, the experience gave him respect for the craft. He moved into operations, helped open a shop in Harrisburg, shifted to sales in Baltimore and D.C., and eventually circled back home to Pittsburgh.
Sales was the natural fit. “I’m a ready-shoot-aim guy,” Ray admits. “This industry is about relationships. If you can find common ground with people, you can thrive.”
Lessons From Baseball and Business
Asked what advice he’d give his younger self, Ray’s response is pure ballplayer: “Every no gets you closer to a yes. Three hits out of ten at-bats makes you a Hall of Famer. Sales works the same way.”
That mindset has carried him through the toughest challenge in the industry—finding and keeping good people. Skilled technicians are rare, and the younger generation often wants the glamour of Instagram builds without the discipline of daily wrench work. Ray’s approach has been to focus on treating employees well and leaning into the “cool factor” of the work to attract new blood.
Leather, Creativity, and Never Saying No
While leather interiors remain the bread and butter of Classic Soft Trim, Ray believes creativity is the differentiator. From bold stitching to starlight headliners and lifted trucks, he’s not afraid to experiment. “We usually don’t say no. Sometimes we learn the hard way, but it keeps us ahead of the game.”
The business model has also shifted since Ray bought the shop during the pandemic. Where dealerships once made up 90 percent of business, retail and fleet work now balance the scales. Retail, he points out, offers stronger margins and resilience when dealership traffic slows.
Taking the Leap to Ownership
Buying the business wasn’t a decision Ray took lightly, but his wife, Jennifer, was fully behind it. “She’s usually conservative, but she believed in me right away. She even helped negotiate the deal. She’s a bulldog.”
That support, combined with years of running his branch almost like an independent owner, gave Ray the confidence to step into the role. Still, he admits that there are nights when the phone doesn’t ring and payroll looms large. “It’s scary, but also exciting. Like sports, you get out what you put in.”
The PRO Cup Challenge: Building for the Win
Ray’s story took a national turn when he and his team entered the SEMA PRO Cup Challenge, a competition where builders from across the country showcase their creativity and craftsmanship.
He built a vehicle themed around the Northern Lights, weaving the design through badges, leather stitching, and seatbelt accents. The result was a cohesive package that impressed judges and peers alike.
When the announcement came that Classic Soft Trim Pittsburgh had won, Ray’s first thought wasn’t about himself. “I was just happy for my people. They worked hard, and it was incredible to see everyone recognized.”
The victory wasn’t just symbolic. The build sold in a single day to a customer who happened to spot it on the showroom floor. That success story has already opened new dealership doors and sparked fresh retail opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Ray isn’t content to rest on the win. He’s eyeing new services like film applications, fresh marketing pushes, and more creative packages that tell a story. “The little details separate us—the things the OEMs can’t always do. That’s where we shine.”
For Ray, the future of automotive restyling isn’t just about custom leather or lifted trucks. It’s about creativity, resilience, and relationships. And if his track record is any indication, Classic Soft Trim Pittsburgh will keep finding ways to turn a passion for cars into national recognition.
Want to see more of their work?
Follow Classic Soft Trim Pittsburgh at cstpgh.com or on Instagram and Facebook.
Read The Transcript
Jesse Stoddard: All thank you for being here, everybody. This is another episode of the Ride in Style podcast. We’re really excited. I’m Jesse Stoddard. I’ve got Josh Pollson, my co-host. Today, we’re interviewing Ray Bedner of Classic Soft Trim in Pittsburgh. Ray, how are you doing today? Thanks for being here. Awesome. And Mike,…
Ray Bedner: Thanks for having me. we’re just h out here today. It’s a little bit further. Stupid.
Josh Poulson: Listen, go ahead, Jesse. …
Jesse Stoddard: I was just gonna say, no, go ahead, Josh. you usually have something to tie us in here.
Josh Poulson: I mean, I love talking to a blueco collar restyler from the bluecollar town of Pittsburgh, steel country. It can’t be any tougher than over there.
Josh Poulson: And when I look at Ray, I’m like, that’s a tough shop. And I’m afraid if I were to go over there, I would look like I mean, he does have that Louis Vuitton, tablecloth there, so maybe there is a little bit of room for me. But when Jesse gets into it, I want to hear his story. I’m looking forward to hearing about how he started in the business and then the transition,…
Josh Poulson: when he bought the store, and then we’ll get into the Pro Cup stuff. But go ahead, Jesse. you let you start off.
Jesse Stoddard: industry in general, go way back to the beginning and what made you make that decision. And we just kind of would love to hear your whole story if you’re willing to tell it.
Ray Bedner: …
Ray Bedner: I think I’ve said before, I was a big sports guy. I played baseball in college and after college I was doing some coaching and my dad was always in the automotive industry and I was kind of trying to find my way. So I sold cars for a little while and then my dad had some friends that worked for Classic Soft Trim and he worked for Classic Soft Trim. So I ended up coming aboard there kind of learned the ropes. I actually started in the operation side. I’ve installed a few sunroofs in my day, a couple and a little bit on the installations and just kind of worked my way up and then when I was with Classic, I was at a couple different cities. First I did some operations in Pittsburgh and then we opened a shop in Harrisburg. I went over there then I got into sales and went over to Baltimore in DC.
Ray Bedner: lived over there for a while and then after that I got out of the business for a couple years and then ended up getting a fever and coming back and…
00:05:00
Josh Poulson: …
Ray Bedner: I’ve been in Pittsburgh running this shop ever since for about last 15 years.
Josh Poulson: you wait a minute. Let’s go back. he said he installed Sunders with a smirk. All right. So, I’m going to push on this. What did you install?
Ray Bedner: Yeah, just some indul.
Josh Poulson: Are we talking popup or did you actually do a full internal?
Ray Bedner: I mean, back in the day they did those big panoramics they came out with for a little while. I remember doing one of those in Baltimore with my guys. hopefully these cars are in the junkyard at this point, but yeah, I mean I’ve got a little bit of experience on the install side. I wouldn’t say I’m a master tech by any means, but I’m not scared to do.
Josh Poulson: I mean, listen, I was the worst installer there was, so it can’t be any worse than me. Did you do leather?
Ray Bedner:
Josh Poulson: All so you can still do it if the guys are like, ” he doesn’t touch a tool or anything.” You’re like, “Watch out.” Yeah.
Ray Bedner: right? Yeah,…
Josh Poulson: right.
Ray Bedner: that’s a fair assessment.
Josh Poulson: I like that. so you moved to Harrisburg and opened up that shop and then you said you went to Baltimore and sold for them. What did…
Ray Bedner: Yeah, that’s…
Josh Poulson: what did you like?
Ray Bedner: what I Go ahead.
Josh Poulson: What was the difference between ops and sales? What did you like more?
Ray Bedner: I mean, I’m more of a sales guy. I mean, I’m not a real detail oriented guy. I’m kind of a ready, shoot, aim type of guy. So, I think sales kind of fits me better. but, I think my personality kind of led me into that role.
Josh Poulson: Yeah. Makes a big difference.
Ray Bedner: I mean, everything’s relationships in this business and, I can usually get along with dudes. I’m kind of a guy’s guy and can find common ground and go from there. But, the weird thing is I’m not really a big car guy. I mean, I wouldn’t call myself a true car guy to be honest.
Josh Poulson: No, I mean, listen, I hate cars and trucks. I mean, at least you like them. You’re just not a die hard.
Ray Bedner: What the probably run.
Josh Poulson: I hate them. I don’t even like them. The only reason I have one is because there’s no public transportation in Columbus. I don’t want to take the bus to school to work every day and that’s the only reason I have a car.
Jesse Stoddard: Ray, when you look back, what would you tell your younger self just getting started out in the industry?
Josh Poulson: Right.
Ray Bedner: No. that probably just stay the course. I mean, every no gets you closer to a yes. I mean, I think sometimes when you’re young in this business, you get a little jaded hearing no so much. but I think maybe my baseball background helped me with that. three out of 10 is a great day. So, just keep pulling in. sometimes your wheel wants you not to go into certain dealerships, but just keep pulling it and keep showing up and the relationships will come and then I think, it’ll build from there. Yeah.
Jesse Stoddard: Hey Ray, we’re going to pause for a second because I think there’s a slight technical glitch. I think you’re on your phone. Are you on a what it did is it for I don’t know if you’re seeing this Josh, but it started showing horizontal instead of vertical.
Josh Poulson: Yeah. Yeah. Can you just flip that back?
Jesse Stoddard: So the.
Josh Poulson: There we go.
Jesse Stoddard: Or if you want you could hang up and then just join again and that’ll fix it, too. …
Ray Bedner: Let’s see.
Jesse Stoddard: you’re good.
Ray Bedner: There we go.
Josh Poulson: There we go.
Jesse Stoddard: That works.
Josh Poulson: Awesome. …
Ray Bedner: I think somebody tried to call me and…
Jesse Stoddard: That’s okay.
Ray Bedner: it messed it up.
Josh Poulson: no problem. Yeah.
Jesse Stoddard: All you’re back. I’ll give you one more question and then Josh might want to chime in, but what’s one of the toughest challenges you faced in the industry? How’d you overcome it?
Ray Bedner:
Ray Bedner: And I think that’s somewhat saved us for now, but we definitely have to find a way to recruit younger people if we’re going to survive.
Josh Poulson: And what advantage do we have and in the business to get younger people versus maybe other industries?
Ray Bedner: So, I think we have to play upon the fact that it’s kind of cool. I mean, that you can make really cool Instagram videos and Facebook and social media and kids think cars are cool. but the challenge in that is they have to turn a wrench. So, you got to find somebody that has a work ethic that doesn’t just want to be on the Instagram video.
00:10:00
Josh Poulson: Yeah. No, I agree. That’s what we got to use. I mean, we’re hiring right now and so I’m interviewing a few people on the phone and just talking to them and they think that we do the coolest thing and we use that to our advantage like, okay, it can be a career working on cool. that would just be And we’re finding that a lot of the younger generation, I mean, fresh out of high school would really are trying to look to get in right straight into the workforce and find something they love because maybe they’ve seen an older sibling or their parents that went to college for 16 years and then graduated with a lot of debt and hate their job and this and that. So, their parents are like, “Do what you love.”
Josh Poulson: So for sure.
Ray Bedner: Yeah, I think that’s making a comeback.
Ray Bedner: I think we really got to take advantage of that. I agree with that. I mean, you see these kids with even some of the tech schools come out with huge debts and they want to come out making, a ton of money and they really don’t have any experience yet and it’s kind of a tough gig, but it’s got to work for them.
Josh Poulson: Yeah. what’s your lay of the land…
Josh Poulson: if somebody goes okay what is classic software in Ptsb Obviously leather because that’s kind of in your title, but what else do you guys kind of do that sets you apart from some of your competition?
Ray Bedner: So, I think …
Ray Bedner: leather is definitely our bread and butter like you said, but I think what separates us is the creativity. I think we’ve always been kind of ahead of the game in certain things, especially in this market. we do some cool different things that people wouldn’t try. I mean, different colors, different inserts, different stitching, and then We’re not scared to get into new things. We’ll do Starlight Headliners or lifted trucks anything that we’re capable of doing. I usually don’t say no. we’ll learn the lesson the hard way if we have to. But, I think our creativity sets us apart. I think we’re very creative, with the cars.
Ray Bedner: we could be better marketing wise and social media wise being creative. I think we need to evolve there. But as far as the cars and our forward thinking, I think that’s what separates them.
Jesse Stoddard: And how about tell us a little bit more about I know that it’s sometimes difficult to deal with dealerships and GMs and sales managers and retail side what and fleet are you involved in all three or are you mostly focused on dealerships and then what’s tell us a little bit about that the inner workings of your focus like what are you trying to focus on right now?
Ray Bedner: reset and changed and we had to pivot into more of a retail focus which the profit margin and everything else is that’s where it’s at. I mean I think moving forward in this industry to stay alive you’re going to have to be retail focused and then the fleet is great too because you can fit your schedule while you’re focusing on the retail on the other side. so I think you have to have your hands in all three. and find a balance. I tell when I talk to guys across the country, I mean, to me, the most important thing is filling in the holes in your schedule. that’s my most important rule. yeah, you’re going to get some cars called in, you’re going to get a couple retail deals walking in, but you have to fill those holes because you don’t get that time back.
Ray Bedner: And once you have a bad week your whole month’s mess up. So every day is kind of like eat what you kill. And I think so you have to have irons in every fire to be able to have the big picture filled out the right way to be able to succeed.
Jesse Stoddard: And you’re the sales guy right now, right, for your company.
Ray Bedner: Right. Yeah.
Jesse Stoddard: It’s not like you have two or three other people running around. you’re doing it. So, yeah.
Ray Bedner: I mean we’re fairly small. so yeah, I mean I try to keep it as tightknit as I can and…
Josh Poulson: Yeah. …
Ray Bedner: and try to contribute the best I can to make sure that we can take care of our employees without, getting spread too thin. Yeah.
Josh Poulson: how was it what was the leap like to jump into the ownership? I mean, there’s one thing to run a shop, there’s one thing to sell for a shop, there’s one thing to install, but when you go through all those and then all of a sudden now your name’s on the bottom line,…
Josh Poulson: it’s like, was that scary for you or was that just exciting and you were all in?
Ray Bedner: It was kind of all those things wrapped up into one.
Ray Bedner: There’s definitely some scary times when you’re slow and your phone’s not ringing and you got, people’s livelihoods on the line and you got to make sure that they can get paid and you have bills stacking up. But, it’s also exciting. I mean, because you got a lot of opportunity and, you’re not depending on anyone. I can go out right now and go try to sell 20 cars and maybe I do. It’s kind of like sports. I mean, you get what you put into it. So, it’s not as much scary to me as maybe some people, but it’s definitely a challenge. I mean, there’s plenty of challenges every day. So, the one thing that did help me is Classic Soft Trim was owned in Austin, Texas.
00:15:00
Ray Bedner: So each branch was kind of run as its own unit. So I did kind of run it like an owner. So I had some experience there. Now I obviously didn’t have to, if we broke something, it wasn’t coming out of my pocket or, things like that. But, I did have a good feel of what it was going to take before I jumped in. Yeah.
Josh Poulson: tax and you already had the business so it wasn’t like you were starting from scratch so no for sure makes it a little bit easier. I love that analogy he gave Jesse about really he comes from baseball so three out of 10 300% is great.
Josh Poulson: I mean it gets you in the Hall of Fame, So that’s a great way to live when you’re selling and I don’t know about a tech if they get three out of 10 but I think hopefully they get more but a sales it’s for sure you get a lot of nose and to be able to push through that pain that’s a good way to live that way.
Jesse Stoddard: Yeah. Yeah.
Jesse Stoddard: I do want to know if you’re thinking of coaching baseball. are you thinking of coaching baseball at all?
Ray Bedner: Yeah. I coach my kids.
Ray Bedner: Yeah. Yeah. I’m big into a lot of fun.
Jesse Stoddard: Yeah, that’s right.
Jesse Stoddard: Little League or Select or what is it over there?
Josh Poulson: How was your wife when you’re like,…
Ray Bedner: Yeah, it’s like we’re little league. Yeah. …
Jesse Stoddard: Yeah, that’s boy.
Ray Bedner: my one son’s He’s only five and then my older son’s going to be nine. So that’s starting to get competitive. We’re starting to get into the travel and all that stuff. So we’re getting funny.
Jesse Stoddard: Lots of money and lots of time.
Josh Poulson: “Okay, I’m buying the business or I’m doing this.” I mean, was she like, “Nah, you got this, right?” Or was she like, ” my gosh, what are we doing?
Ray Bedner: She’s very conservative. but with this she was full speed ahead. she was on board right away and she gave a lot of support and she helps out. it’s worked out good. She was actually way more I guess she believed in me which is great because it’s worked out. But her personality is very conservative. I thought I was going to take a big sales pitch but she was right in there and she actually helped me negotiate the deal.
Ray Bedner: She is a bulldog. So I think we got a good deal to get the business and…
Josh Poulson: That’s awesome.
Ray Bedner: she was a big part of it.
Josh Poulson: Nothing like having a great partner right behind you to support. And …
Ray Bedner: Yeah. Yeah.
Josh Poulson: I don’t know, my wife doesn’t want to hear it when things are bad,…
Ray Bedner: I’m lucky I have two great women in this business.
Josh Poulson: but …
Ray Bedner: My wife and…
Jesse Stoddard: Nice. That’s awesome.
Ray Bedner: then also Paula who runs the office. I couldn’t live without her. So I have two women that make this place go. So, my wife is Jennifer.
Josh Poulson: there you go. Props to them. And let’s say a shout out. b not just Paula, but your wife and your kids. Give us their names and their ages again. Not your wife’s age. Come on.
Ray Bedner: She’s 20.
Josh Poulson: Yes. Jennifer.
Ray Bedner: No, I’m just And my son Ray as well.
Josh Poulson: Awesome. Absolutely.
Ray Bedner: We call him Ray. He’s eight, going to be nine. And then Wesley is five.
Jesse Stoddard: Let’s talk about SEMA Pro Cup Challenge now.
Ray Bedner: Do it.
Jesse Stoddard: What do you think, Josh? Should we move on to that? It’s a big topic. Move on to that one.
Josh Poulson: We got the winner here, baby. What were we?
Jesse Stoddard: The win.
Josh Poulson: What? Okay, let’s be real for a second.
Jesse Stoddard: Look at the trophy. Bring it up close to the camera for us. Let me see that thing.
Josh Poulson: Yeah. Yeah. Let’s see that thing.
Jesse Stoddard: Yeah. Awesome.
Josh Poulson: Yeah, And he’s on the perpetual trophy that stays at SEMA headquarters and it has his company name, vehicle they did. And that’ll just keep growing bigger every year. So, it’s there for infamy. So, let’s be honest now,…
Josh Poulson: We did the podcast before when you built your vehicle and you’re there now and you were part of the judging and you saw the other vehicles. What did you think your odds were you 50/50? Did you think you were 7030? I mean, be honest. It’s cool.
Ray Bedner: I felt pretty good.
Ray Bedner: I mean, I don’t want to come off cocky, but I’m usually pretty confident. And I felt good with that build. I thought we put a little bit of everything in and tied together really nice. I felt good.
Josh Poulson: And so when Spags is up there and…
Ray Bedner: I mean, obviously didn’t know which way it was going to go, but I had a pretty good feeling.
Josh Poulson: he’s announcing and they do the fan favorite, right, and McGowan wins, what did So you’re like, “Okay, we didn’t win fan favorite.” Yeah.
Ray Bedner: Yeah, I was actually glad because I felt good we were going to win something and I kind of didn’t want to win that fan favorite because I don’t think we were going to win both. So once that was in I felt pretty good I wasn’t down. I felt like okay here we go. We’ll get the big one and…
00:20:00
Josh Poulson: And then when Spags he says your name and he throws it out there, what went through your mind?
Ray Bedner: I was just happy for all my people it was cool that general man of the dealership was there. He got to see that and it was a really cool experience and I appreciate you guys. I mean, everyone involved with pro made it really cool and…
Josh Poulson: I know.
Ray Bedner: I was just grateful to be there. But, I did come to win and there was a little bit of relief because I probably would have been pissed off we left there with no hard Yeah.
Josh Poulson: Yeah. what about some of the other builds? What did you learn from those other builds? What did you like? I mean, I mean, obviously they were all good, but what was there is anything that kind of stands out to you that on some of those other builds that you’re like, “Wow, I want to take this back and implement
Ray Bedner: I mean, what opened my eyes, I think, is a lot of people using film. I think it’s a segment we need to get involved in that we haven’t been. and I saw almost every other car there had some level of film involved.
Josh Poulson: Yeah. No,…
Ray Bedner: And I think that’s something an opportunity that we definitely need to explore and get rolling on before we get behind.
Josh Poulson: absolutely. What about the creativity? Anything that kind of caught your eye with some of the other ones? Cuz yours was very creative. I loved what you guys did, but I thought there was other good ones,…
Ray Bedner: Yeah. Yeah.
Josh Poulson: too. some of the themes and stuff like that.
Ray Bedner: Yeah. There was a lot of cool stuff. I mean, it was really well done, I thought. I mean, I would definitely copy that truck. The Bronco was well done. I like the logo they came up with. the commercial truck was creative. I think every car there had something about it that was cool. I mean, the Land Cruiser is cool. I mean, everybody likes the new Land Cruiser, so I mean, he did some cool things there. all of them are pretty cool. I mean, I took a little bit off each one,…
Josh Poulson: thing.
Ray Bedner: I think. I mean, in my head that Land Cruiser, we’ve done four or five since then on some of his ideas. And the Santa Fe, we actually just did a Santa Fe for a dealership with, based off of that. I was showing pictures. I did a little bit different, but I mean, that got me something to show. And I hadn’t done many stock units with Hyundai, so that was got me in the door there. I mean, the whole thing is just it’s cool. I love being around, minded people and was really appreciative to be a part.
Josh Poulson: like that of a Hyundai picture and then bringing home and getting a new car. So, one thing I love this year, Jesse, which speak out to future PCC builders, the small details, for instance, I mean on the Land Cruiser, I love the retro stripe, but then he not only did that,…
Josh Poulson: but he did it in the center caps.
Ray Bedner: Right. Yeah,…
Josh Poulson: The Kenny’s 150, the baseball stitch on the leather was cool. On the Predator how they put the factory heated seats, they threw them in the back seat so that they could put cooling and heated up front, but they didn’t just want to get rid of heated seats with factory switches. You got to do something with Throw them in the back so they’re still useful. the commercial truck was awesome.
Ray Bedner:
Josh Poulson: The Santa Fe having the theme with the fishing.
Josh Poulson: What I loved about your build specifically too was the Northern Lights. you made a really nice badge and then on the license plate. You put it on the leather. You tied in the seat belt colors with the leather and the badge. It was just one theme that when somebody comes up to that, it’s like the little things are what sets us apart that the OE sometimes can’t do.
Ray Bedner: I love packages like that. there’s a story. There was a woman that owned a big dealer group in Pittsburgh and she had since sold, but she was big dog person and she had a dog passed away. His name was Max. So I pitched her, let’s do Max edition and we made these badges with the scrape coming down for the X’s and we did a bunch of leathers with heat and with the badge. So it’s cool. that was about 10 years ago. I still see cars driving with maxed bags. that just makes me smile every time.
Josh Poulson: You’re praying for someone to get in a little wreck…
Ray Bedner: I love stuff like that.
Josh Poulson: because those badges are real expensive if they need replaced at the body shop. Go ahead, Jesse.
Jesse Stoddard: Sorry, I was just going to say now that this is done and the dust settled and all that, what are you thinking about now with it, how is it going to help you? have you been talking to the dealership again? are you seeing that they were excited and there’s some buzz and I’d love to hear more about that too.
00:25:00
Ray Bedner: Yeah, I think everywhere I walk in, everyone’s like, “Hey, congrats on, winning the thing.” And I think it has given us a little bump in business. maybe some of the posts that we had, managers that we weren’t in the top of their they’re thinking that they’re calling us a little bit more if I’m walking in. Maybe they’re a little more open-minded, things like that. the car that we did actually sold in one day.
Josh Poulson: What with the tent and…
Ray Bedner: It was on the showroom.
Ray Bedner: Yeah, it sold in one day. It was on the showroom. People came in with a different car to get a hitch put in and the wife walked by and just couldn’t leave without it. they took it that day.
Josh Poulson: everything? That’s awesome.
Ray Bedner: Everything I went to their house,…
Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.
Ray Bedner: showed them how to work everything like they already had it a couple days after they already had it and they go camping and they’re going to use it all. So worked out cool.
Josh Poulson: That’s a Yeah.
Jesse Stoddard: Yeah. You gotta keep telling that.
Ray Bedner: So the is going to do another one too.
Jesse Stoddard: You got to keep telling that story, right? This car,…
Ray Bedner: Yes. Yeah.
Jesse Stoddard: he did it and it went in one day.
Josh Poulson: So, Jesse, so one thing we’re and…
Josh Poulson: just, …
Josh Poulson: for the record, too, we’re going to be posting the new pics of the builds on PCC, semapcc.com. That’s our website. isn’t there a blog on there,…
Ray Bedner: Okay. Yeah.
Josh Poulson: too, Jesse? Yeah.
Jesse Stoddard: Yeah. Yeah,…
Jesse Stoddard: there’ll be a story. Yeah.
Josh Poulson: So, what we’ll do, too, is we’ll send you the link because we’d love for you to put that in the blog that, hey, the winner sold in one day, the dealer was happy, the customer was happy, I was able to get a Santa Fe based off it. We got to get that ball rolling, too. but that those are the success stories that everybody talks about.
Ray Bedner: Yeah. I mean, yeah. I mean, The dealer made good money. We were taken care of. The customer got a good deal. Man, everything just worked out perfectly. Man, I couldn’t have asked for a better situation. How that worked out.
Josh Poulson: What would you tell a builder if they’re on the fence about jumping in the competition? Because let’s face it, it’s like, hey, this is a national competition. I may not get all my money reimbured for travel, for getting people there. it could be, some expense, too.
Josh Poulson: What would you tell somebody?
Ray Bedner: do it.
Ray Bedner: I mean, it’s kind of a once in a lifetime thing. I mean, it’s a ton of fun. It’s a great organization. I mean, all the people are great. it worked out great. Of course, you’re going to have a little adversity or you may spend some money up front, but everything’s going to work out. And, if you have a nice build, it’s going to work out. You’re going to be made whole. financed on with the marketing and everything you’re going to be able to do afterwards. I still have a ton of marketing I want to do and videos and I want to get with Jesse and try to, really play off of this and continue to do it. So, I mean, I think you might put some money into the car and you might not get it right away, but it’s all going to come back and the experience is 100% worth it.
Josh Poulson: Dude, it was a great build. Congrats to your team. I loved that you brought the team out. I love they were all sitting there. I mean, it was like camp Pittsburgh over there. Being a Browns fan, I was a little nervous about walking over to you guys, but you guys were all cool, welcoming, and you’re like, “All right.” And then when you won, it was like, ” awesome for you guys.” …
Ray Bedner: Yeah, it’s going to be like this Sunday.
Ray Bedner: Another one.
Josh Poulson: I mean, I just remember there was a snowstorm where we played that was a little slap down and…
Ray Bedner: Yeah, we’re going to You got us.
Josh Poulson: we don’t even have anything on the line.
Ray Bedner:
Josh Poulson: revenge game. go ahead, Jesse. Let’s ask him…
Josh Poulson: how to finish up there.
Jesse Stoddard: Yeah. Yeah.
Jesse Stoddard: Just what’s the best way for people to get a hold of you to learn more about what you guys do? What’s your website? Let us know how folks can find out more.
Ray Bedner: Our website is cstpgh.com. classic soccer room in Pittsbur same thing with CSTPGH, Facebook, everything’s the same. we’d love to get a follow and we’ll keep sharing our builds and our experiences and hopefully other builders can take some stuff that we do and use it in their market and we’d love to do the same with their stuff. I think that’s the great thing about SEMA Pro. I mean it’s really opened my eyes that I mean there’s a lot of minded people out there that you can be a part of and block together.
Josh Poulson: That’s great. I mean, these guys are awesome.
Josh Poulson: So, the welcome to Pittsburgh. Putting it on the national stage now. He’s got national recognition. Congrats, brother.
Jesse Stoddard: Congratulations. All right.
Ray Bedner: Thanks, man.
Ray Bedner: Thanks, guys.
Jesse Stoddard: Have a good day, That’s it. We appreciate it.
Ray Bedner: All right, Go Steelers.
Josh Poulson: That’s it, baby. Hey, I’m hoping for a good draft pick. So, I hope you guys win…
Ray Bedner: There you go.
Josh Poulson: because I can’t have Baltimore win this division. I mean, it just I mean,…
Ray Bedner: Yeah. Thanks.
Josh Poulson: I hate the Steelers. No, but I really hate the Ravens. Yeah, too. So, all right,…
00:30:00
Josh Poulson: Congratulations. Tell Jennifer and Paula we said hi and we’ll talk soon.
Jesse Stoddard: All right,…
Jesse Stoddard: take care, guys. See you.
Josh Poulson: See you, Jess.
Ray Bedner: Thank you.
