Howdy Hailey! Thanks for talking with us today! Please, tell me some about yourself and when you joined the industry.
Sure! I work at West Herr Ford in Hamburg as a sales consultant. I started in sales last July, but I've been in the automotive business at West Herr Ford for six years, which is actually my anniversary today.
I started with a rental vehicle program and then worked in parts and service. I implemented sales from the service drives, getting customers to buy new cars, and eventually moved into vehicle exchange. After getting laid off during COVID, I became an assistant to top salespeople and am now in the President's Club in my first year of sales.
I saw each job as a step in the right direction and took the opportunities, which brought me to a really good place.
Congratulations! How do you feel after 6 years at it?
Thank you! It's awesome to see how far I've come. I'm glad that I stayed in the industry, and I've achieved some great accomplishments. I'm excited about what will come next.
So you started in sales last July. What was the secret to surviving that change while inventory issues ran wild?
Well, starting out, I was working with mostly pre-owned inventory. Initially, my main sales were to close friends, family referrals, and walk-in customers. There weren't any new vehicles available at that time.
I did pretty well on my own. Then, the company paired me with Pete, they wanted me to partner with him and take over his book of business when he retires.
Together, we've been doing quite well. We currently stand at about 211 sales, and that's not even the end of our sales year. So we've been rocking and rolling.
Sweet! Shout-out Pete!
ASOTU has been running with the motto "Love people more than you love cars" for a while now, and I'd love to know how the industry has been about more than cars for you.
We actually do a lot together as a group. It's not just about selling vehicles; it's about being a part of the community. For example, our CEO is involved with local charities and hospitals. It's refreshing and inspiring to see a CEO so connected with the team and the entire community. We've even made dinner for the Ronald McDonald House here, helping needy people. That's the kind of thing that makes you feel good about where you work.
But, you know, there's also that fantastic side of the job that concerns the customers' excitement. Lately, we've had many first-time car buyers, and let me tell you, the feeling of seeing them drive their new car off the lot is just priceless. It's the best feeling when you can make someone happy, especially when you find something they didn't even know they wanted! They might be skeptical about a car, but once they see it and try it, there they are, driving off in it, all smiles. It's rewarding to know you've played a part in that joy. So yeah, it's a lot about cars but also about connections, community, and seeing people excited. It makes it all worth it.
That's wonderful. We often cover the big community events, like charity dinners and such, but to hear more about that magic moment when somebody goes from shopper to owner is something else.
You've made an impressive path so far in the industry, what do you want to try next?
You know, that's an interesting question. The cool thing about this company is that there's always room for moving up, and sometimes it happens when you least expect it. Like, I remember being on my way to work at an event, and they pulled me into the office out of the blue to tell me about this new opportunity. It was surprising!
So what's next for me? I definitely would like to be a manager one day. I want to be the type of manager that I need as a salesperson. I think it would be cool to provide that kind of support and leadership to someone else one day. It's all about growing and finding the right fit, and I'm looking forward to whatever comes next.
Excellent! Seems like being ready for what ever comes next, is the best way to be ready for whatever comes next. 😆
I'd love to know what you'd tell somebody hesitant about trying a career in auto?
Just go for it. Sometimes taking a chance on something that seems impossible can be the best thing for you.