When you meet Doug Roberts from Interstate All Battery Center of Longview, Texas, one thing becomes clear immediately: he’s a jack of all trades with a heart for his community. Whether he’s organizing large-scale recycling drives, feeding local first responders, or collaborating with nearby businesses, Doug’s mission is simple — to make an impact while growing his business through genuine connection and service.
Doug’s story began with a simple idea: to give people a way to recycle responsibly. Nine years later, that idea has evolved into an annual Community Recycling Event that brings together local businesses, nonprofits, and residents.
Initially inspired by city-sponsored recycling drives, Doug saw an opportunity to host one independently (six months after the city’s Earth Day events) to extend the community’s impact. What started small has become a local tradition that helps both the environment and fellow businesses thrive.
“I encourage them to come out, network, and grow their business,” Doug explains. “Everyone benefits. They get exposure, we build awareness, and the community wins.”
And those benefits are real. One of Doug’s recycling vendors, who started with a single truck, landed a major account after meeting a customer at Doug’s event. It’s stories like these that prove how powerful community-driven events can be.
After moving the Longview store to a new location, Doug realized some residents didn’t even know they were still in business. Instead of running a traditional ad campaign, he chose something much more meaningful: an event to honor first responders.
Partnering with his neighboring restaurant, Golden Chick, Doug hosted a “Feed the First Responders” day, offering free meals to local fire, police, EMS, and military personnel. The event drew crowds, community leaders, and even a letter of recognition from Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
“It gives them a chance to unwind, settle down, and visit,” Doug says. “It’s a simple way to say thank you while bringing the community together.”
Doug isn’t just focused on hosting events. He’s committed to learning from them. After each one, he tracks key metrics like attendance, recycling totals, and marketing reach to improve for next time.
From 573 books donated to over 5,400 pounds of shredded paper collected, the numbers show just how impactful these events are. By tracking where attendees heard about the event, whether through social media, radio, or community apps like Nextdoor, Doug fine-tunes his outreach for the future.
“Collecting data helps us understand where to invest,” Doug says. “Radio only brought in a few people this year, but social media reached 85. That tells us where to focus next time.”
What stands out most about Doug’s approach is how he transforms challenges into opportunities. Whether he’s filling a last-minute vendor gap or experimenting with new event ideas, he focuses on what brings people together — service, connection, and shared growth.
For retailers looking to follow in his footsteps, Doug’s advice is simple: just start.
“Have the data, have the pictures, and share the story,” he says. “It’s growing my business, bringing in new customers, and reminding people we’re here for them.”
From recycling drives to appreciation lunches, Doug is proof that when you put community first, business growth naturally follows.
If you’re a retailer interested in hosting community events or collaborations like these, start small, stay consistent, and measure your impact. As Doug has shown, giving back isn’t just good for the heart, it’s good for business.
