best.” Growth is multifaceted in increasing the
client base and in expanding to a new location
with Cooper Auto Choice. Cooper explains his
new location, “Cooper Auto Choice is our newest
venture into Southern Pines which shares the
same Cooper passion for sales and service in
the used car line up. Specializing in pre-owned
vehicles, we seek to emulate the market with
different makes and models. We also buy trades.
If someone wants to sell their vehicle, then we’ll
give the best price possible on their vehicle.”
Why should locals drive over to Cooper Ford?
Cooper shares, “We don’t forget about you. When
you buy a vehicle from us, then our relationship
doesn’t end there—simply this is where it truly
begins. We’ll give you a fair price. We’ll treat you
with respect. I want it to be the best experience
you’ve ever had!”
In keeping with the mission that drives the
business, Cooper encourages his employees
to be that person to whom people look. “Do
the right thing when nobody is looking,”
encourages Cooper. “Provide the best level of
service; be helpful; be thankful, and appreciate
every opportunity given to you—even if the
opportunity doesn’t work out. If anybody needs
help, then be that one to help. Be that person.”
As the journey continues forward, the
Cooper Ford family, employing twenty–three,
buckles up for the ride. With no shortcuts taken,
Cooper maps the course drawing wisdom from
the miles traveled, “Over time, I’ve learned that
when you take shortcuts, it always comes back.
Whenever I am faced with a decision of how to
proceed, normally your gut will tell you what’s
right. Do what you know is right and respond
in the way you want to treated. Faith and trust
in God certainly guide the navigation; truly the
stuff between ‘then’ and ‘now’ has been directed
by God’s hand the whole way. In the journey, I
trust His path and know His guidance will lead
me. I believe that there is a purpose for what I
am doing.”
From working the rows of farmland to selling
at the local farmer’s market, to now lining up
the rows of Fords and selling to locals, Cooper
has conquered his dream envisioned as a young
man—to be a business man who gets dressed up
to make it happen. You won’t find a suit and tie
at Cooper Ford, but you will find a family owned
and operated group of professionals who are
committed to the best customer service around.
From Cooper Ford to the Cooper Commitment
to Cooper Auto Choice, drive on over to check
out the hometown dealership established on
Farms, Fords and F-150s where family owned
and operated fuels the drive of a lifetime! ☐
For more info, see ad p. 26.
most important car tip for preserving the life
of the vehicle is, “Maintenance! On schedule
maintenance, without question,” emphasizes
Cooper. “Change your oil. Change your fluids.
Keep your tires rotated. Everything works better
and longer when it is maintained.”
With a fully–stocked parts department,
Cooper Ford also offers Ford swag including
t-shirts, license plates, hitch receivers, pens,
key chains, etc. “Our service department has
grown almost 5-fold since we’ve opened,” notes
Cooper. “We’ve added technicians and lifts;
whether a customer needs regular maintenance
or major repairs—whether it is Ford, Chevrolet,
Nissan, or Toyota—we can service them all.”
In highlighting Ford, Cooper tells, “From
a national perspective, Ford is one of the
longest–standing automotive companies in the
U.S. Being an iconic American product, Ford’s
innovations, quality and products are some of
the best products in the world. The only one
of the Big-3 to not take a government bailout,
Ford is a great company who takes pride in
how they operate and in the quality of their
product. Having sold all of the brands from Ford
to Chevy, Dodge, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, I
can assure you that Ford is probably the most
dealer–friendly and owner–friendly.”
One of the friendliest dealerships around,
Cooper Ford encourages locals to support
local. Being locally–owned and family–operated
means that every dollar spent at Cooper Ford
stays in the community. Whether it be service
dollars, sales dollars or parts dollars—those
dollars are invested back into the community.
Supporting Meals on Wheels, Moore Buddies
Mentoring, military families and many other
charitable organizations, Cooper Ford is
completely invested in Moore County.
In looking ahead to the future, Cooper strives
for continued growth in offering the greatest
product and best customer service. “I’m not
looking to be the biggest Ford dealer in the
country,” exclaims Cooper, “I just want to be the
Getting to know Mr. Aaron Cooper,
of Cooper Ford & Cooper Auto Choice.
Favorite car? I love trucks! My favorite is the
Ford F-150. As for car, the Mustang.
Favorite car color? Black. Black is hardest to
keep clean, but the prettiest when it is clean.
Your first car? A 1976 Dodge Ram, baby blue
with white wall tires, club cab. It was my dad’s
truck that I got hand-me-down. That’s what I
drove around in high school.
Advice for others following their dreams?
Fight the fear. Fear keeps us from being who we
can be. This has been the case for me for a long
time—fear of failure. Fear of something not
working. You have to fight through the fear which
holds us back.
What do you wish you would have known
starting off that you know now? I would have
done this a lot sooner had I been able to fight
the fear. Of course, there is the economics part;
an automotive dealership requires a huge
investment and sometimes a barrier to entry is
investment. But where there is a will, there is a way.
Best part of your job? Meeting people and
interacting with people.
Most difficult part? Dealing with the failures,
where we may not live up to our standards.
What would you tell local graduates? Put the
time in. Work hard.
Favorite road trip? When I drove from NC to
Montana to bring my daughter home. Driving
through all of the states and seeing America was
unforgettable!
How do your daughters fit in with Cooper
Ford? They are all pursuing their own paths. My
oldest Channing was a Wildlife major in college
and is now working for the Memorial Park
Conservancy in Houston, part of the Houston
Parks and Rec Department. Savannah graduated
with a business degree, so she is entering the
business world. Madison is studying abroad in
Rome with her interior design major. And my
youngest Bailey is following her heart at the
College of Charleston. They all travel their own
path as we foster their dreams.
Moore County is? Beautiful. Warm. A tight
knit, gracious and accommodating community
where everyone is nice.
Local favorites? We enjoy the festivals and
have fun attending the small town parades.
Christmas, Homecoming, St. Patrick’s Day—
there’s a lot of stuff to do. We enjoy the boutique
restaurants, and certainly golf is a big part of the
community. Ironwood is our go-to restaurant. ☐
FARMS, FORDS & F-150S con't from p. 26
Mr. Aaron Cooper, owner of Cooper Ford.
FARMS, FORDS & F-150S con't. next column
FARMS, FORDS & F-150S continued
p.28 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 138
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