Artie Brylev left Russia to escape religious persecution and built a career at Battison Honda. He talks work, family, reputation and making opportunity intentional in Oklahoma City.
Artie grew up in the former Soviet Union, where his religious family practiced under a system that restricted public faith. In New York, $20 in spending money gave him an early reality check. Later, a busboy job at Junior’s gave him a picture of the family life he wanted, while years of work taught him that success without character or trusted relationships does not hold.
With Jed Chappell, Artie talks about leading a family-owned dealership, protecting a reputation, putting family before the office, and why Oklahoma City needs intentional places where young people can encounter mentors and real opportunity.
Content note: Brief, non-graphic references to religious restriction, incarceration, addiction, and youthful legal trouble.
What you’ll hear
- What $20 in spending money taught Artie about expectations
- Why reputation outlasts a single transaction
- How family became a priority rather than an afterthought
- The moment bussing tables changed the life Artie wanted
- Why opportunity for young people should not be left to chance
Chapters
- 00:00 Welcome and Artie Brylev
- 02:55 Growing up under communism
- 06:09 Arriving in New York with $20
- 15:35 The illusion of instant success
- 22:18 Family before the office
- 25:21 Making opportunity intentional
- 29:40 Building a family-owned business
- 41:23 The other side of the table
- 48:20 Investing in young people
- 51:03 Transparency in the car business
Links and Resources
- Artie Brylev / Battison Honda team: https://www.battisonhonda.com/team-battison-honda-in-oklahoma-city-ok
- Battison Honda: https://www.battisonhonda.com/
- City Center: https://okcitycenter.org/
- Junior’s of Oklahoma City: https://juniorsokc.com/
- Putnam City Schools Foundation: https://www.putnamcityfoundation.org/
- Eskridge Auto Group: https://www.eskridgeautomotive.com/
- Jim Norton Toyota of Oklahoma City: https://www.jimnortontoyotaokc.com/ [verify this is the location meant]
- CARFAX: https://www.carfax.com/
- Victory Church: https://victory.church/ [verify this is the congregation meant]
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Jed Chappell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jed-chappell-7a745332/
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VOICES of OKC is a conversation platform from City Center. Through long-form interviews with local leaders, builders, artists, advocates, and neighbors, the show explores the stories shaping Oklahoma City through service, creativity, courage, restoration, and hope.
City Center champions youth and families in under-resourced communities by creating empowered pathways to relief and restoration.