Establishing a family business is not for the faint of heart – only about one-fifth make it through the first year. Despite these odds, countless enterprising families have persevered to build successful companies. As I was completing this month’s featured shop interview, I recalled the inspiring story of Colonel Sanders and his iconic Kentucky Fried Chicken. He built his fried chicken empire despite dropping out of school at only 12 years old, facing innumerable business obstacles and financial hardships amid the Great Depression. Stories like his are heartwarming and encouraging to fellow business owners.
Similarly, you will enjoy Wayne Matson’s amazing story about TBK Transmissions in Kearney, Nebraska. The Matson family has built TBK Transmissions into a well-respected automotive business, overcoming unforeseen obstacles along the way. With over 50 years of experience, they specialize in all things related to transmissions – from repairs to rebuilds and more.
Wayne is the owner of TBK and started tinkering with cars at an early age. He jokingly states, “My three brothers and I were born with a set of wrenches in our hands.” Their father, Bud Matson, instilled in his sons the importance of being self-sufficient, and he advised them, “When you leave my house, you’re going to know how to work on a car.”
The boys began performing mild engine repairs in their pre-teen years, and by the time Wayne was 12, he could easily disassemble and rebuild engines. He decided to discontinue school after the 8th grade and focus on working with his dad in the automotive industry. He found his first paying job in 1981 at a shop named Sparky’s, where he received his first paycheck of $160. He recalls, “I didn’t know what it was like to actually get paid to work on cars, and then I was hooked.” His passion for the industry blossomed from that point onward, and he began to reap the rewards of his hard work.
Twenty-nine years ago, Wayne decided to start his own business. “I worked out of my garage, where I pulled every tranny with a floor jack and hand-washed all the parts,” he recalled. It was not an easy transition from technician to business owner. He states, “I started with $500 and struggled with finances for years. It slowly started coming together, though, and I learned a lot in the process.” He’s learned to use accounting software, run profit & loss reports, and process payroll. Then at age 50, he accomplished his dream of earning his high school diploma, even though it was not necessary for the success he’d already attained.
About a year after starting the shop, the business grew to the point that he moved to a new 4000-squarefoot building – where the shop remained until May 2022. During that time, his brother, Jim, began working at the shop as a builder. As a family, they worked diligently to grow their business.
Things were going well until disaster struck. In 2010, Jim suffered a massive heart attack. Wayne describes the gravity of the situation, “He had to be shocked 11 times to start his heart beating. There was nothing the doctors could do, and there was only a slight chance of survival with surgery to open the artery. But during the surgery, his artery was torn. The doctors declared him brain dead.” Even with the medical team stating there was no hope, the Matson family kept the faith. Wayne continued, “We had about 30 people at the hospital praying for Jim. He was transferred to another hospital, where they found the arteries had cleared and the torn one had healed. It was a miracle for sure.”
With no medical explanation, Jim fully recovered from this event. In 2012, he began working at the shop again with virtually no residual issues. Wayne states, “He’s still one of the smartest builders I’ve ever known.”
Jim isn’t the only family member working in the business. Wayne’s son, Britton, and Jim’s son, David, work as transmission rebuilders. They have been meticulously trained in the automotive sector since early childhood, and they both possess extensive expertise.
Wayne’s wife, Tina, also has a role in the shop. Wayne states, “Tina was retired but suggested that maybe she could come in and clean up the parts department. Little did she know that she would still be running it to this day.” Tina now manages the large parts department, which includes cores and torque converters.
The shop also has a front desk secretary, Stacey Lauby, who’s been with the company for over 5 years. She helps with customer service relations and sales.
The team’s newest member is Bill Loughman, who isn’t related but is also viewed as a member of the family, having worked with Wayne’s father for years. He is an R&R specialist and has been with the company for around five months.
The shop also has an in-house tow truck, which is operated by Terry Haugh. He’s semi-retired and uses the extra money to fund his hobby – collecting baseball cards. Terry has been with the company for a year and a half. The towing service allows the shop to provide free towing up to 100 miles for their customers.
Wayne mentions, “We are a family-owned and operated business, and we take pride in that.” When asked what TBK stands for, Wayne responded that initially, it stood for his first three children – Trenton, Britton, and Kraiton. As the business grew, the family expanded as well to seven kids. Wayne changed the acronym to encompass all his children. He laughs as he explains, “I now say it stands for The Bratty Kids.” The slogan of the shop, “The only way is TBK,” was created by the late Mike Matson, brother to Wayne and a part of the team that established the company. This slogan remains as a way of honoring Mike and his invaluable contributions to the business.
TBK continued to grow, and in May 2022, the shop moved a mile north into an 11,500-square-foot building, more than doubling its size. That was a huge expansion for the team. The move provides more space for a larger build room, parts department, office, waiting areas, and a breakroom.
TBK Transmissions is a reputable shop known for its Ford and Dodge diesel builds. They have relationships with local dealerships to perform warranty work and enjoy a reputation for quality workmanship. Moreover, they have secured several alliances with car lots.
Customers from far and wide flock to TBK for its renowned customer service. For instance, an individual from California was driving to visit family in Wisconsin when the transmission in his ‘69 VW Beetle unexpectedly gave out. 
He brought it to TBK and was blown away by the level of care provided by the staff. He has since returned to have a second vehicle fixed as well. He continues to stop by to say hello and maintain his connection whenever he’s passing through. TBK’s highly skilled tech team is certified by both ATSG and ATRA, offering unbeatable service, uncompromising quality, and dependability with topnotch customer care.
The Matson family is an example of hard work and resilience. They’ve taken their passion for the automotive industry and turned it into a successful business that’s withstood the trials of time and circumstances. With over 50 years in the industry, the Matson family has proven to be one of the best in the field, overcoming the obstacles that arose in the process. TBK Transmissions is a testament to how far dedication and hard work can take you. This is the story of TBK Transmissions – The Only Way is TBK.
