By Tori Mohn ‘26
Like something out of the American Dream, Dave and Sue Glick built their business from almost nothing, starting in their home and growing it into a premier dealer in PA for emergency vehicle sales and service.
But their story didn’t start with a perfect plan. It started with experience, hard work, and a simple idea.
“I used the experience that I had and built on that,” Dave Glick said.
Before starting their own company, Dave worked for another dealership, helping them grow their operations while learning how to run a successful business. Over time, that experience led him to ask if he could build someone else’s company, why not start his own?
Dave brought up the thought to Sue one evening by sitting her down and telling her his idea. When he told her he wanted to start a business, she didn’t hesitate to agree.
“Oh yeah,” Sue said. “You don’t say no to PopPop [Dave].”
From that moment, everything began.
“That was just the two of us,” Dave said. “Two of us and a couple dollars in our pocket, and we started a business of our own.”
In the early years, the business operated out of their home, with a rented garage serving as their workspace. With a small number of 5 people, including the children and two employees, they worked together out of their house before they were able to afford to move into an office.
Those first few years were challenging for them. Money was limited, and even small purchases for the business mattered. But they stayed committed to doing things the right way, and made sure to follow their goals for the company always.
“We made sure that we paid people that worked for us and the vendors that we bought from,” Dave said. “We always had good credit with them.”
That commitment to responsibility and trust became the foundation of the company. Even when money was tight, they made sure employees and vendors were taken care of.
Dave stated that they didn’t have any big plans for how to make their business, they just knew they wanted to start something and enjoy what they were doing. Over time, that mindset allowed the business to grow steadily and naturally.
Rather than focusing on becoming the biggest business, Dave focused on relationships with customers. During the day, he would work on the business, and in the evenings, he visited fire departments, introducing himself and explaining the kind of service they wanted to provide.
“I would go out to fire departments and meet with them and tell them who I am,” he said.
That approach helped them gain customers earlier on in the process. Their first sale came from a fire company in Columbia, starting off the beginning of Glick Fire Equipment’s growth.
As the business expanded, it also became something more than just a company. Their children began to get involved, helping to build and grow different parts of the business over time.
“The kids started to get involved, and that, to me, was precious,” Dave said.
What started as a small operation gradually turned into a family-run business, with multiple generations being a part of its success.
For Sue, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was the relationships formed along the way.
“I think a lot of it was learning to know the employees and getting to know good people,” she said. “Providing jobs for good people and becoming friends with a lot of them.”
Many of those employees have stayed with the company for years, showing the strong sense of connection and family within the workspace.
Today, the business has grown to include multiple locations, around 148 employees, and millions in annual revenue. Despite that growth, Dave emphasized that size was never the goal.
“My biggest goal was that all of our customers and all of our people were happy,” he said.
That focus on people, both customers and employees, continues to define the company.
Even now, Dave and Sue remain connected to what they built. Dave still visits regularly, walking through the office and checking in with employees, new and old.
“I stop in there a couple times a week and walk through and agitate everyone,” he said.
Looking back, their success wasn’t built on a single moment or decision, but on years of effort, trust, and commitment.
From a home office and a few dollars to a company that spans generations, Dave and Sue Glick didn’t just build a business.
They built a family.