Hey Carol, thanks for talking with me today! Let's dive right in. How did you join the industry?
It's quite a story. I was in college for nursing. While working at a parts store to make ends meet, I realized I didn't want to continue with the nursing work and got into car sales. There was apprehension at first, but I took the leap with my part-time job as a backup. Here I am, two decades later.
Two decades can change a lot! Tell me about the time between the first sale's position and now.
My first try at selling cars was fruitful. However, as the workplace culture shifted at my first dealership, I re-evaluated and moved to another store, where I continued my sales success.
When the 2008 market crashed, I wanted something more stable for my family, so I pivoted to a service advisory role and learned the fixed ops world.
Over the years, I transitioned between roles and dealerships, facing distinct challenges and grasping opportunities. A notable point was when I took a job as a service manager with a bottom-performing Nissan store; some techs quit on the spot because I am a woman. We turned the store's performance around and were in the top 3 within a year and a half.
I tried to step away from the car business once, but it's true what everybody says – you never really leave. Cox Automotive eventually roped me in, moved on to Schomp as a corporate trainer, and built a business development center for them. Currently, I'm in a joint venture between Schomp Automotive and its partners.
They needed a GM, and I always want to keep growing, so I said, "Here I am."
Wow, that is excellent! How do you and your team engage with your community?
We support nonprofits that educate high school students and fund anti-human trafficking efforts. We aim to emphasize that we're not just a dealership – we're a part of the community, looking to give back.
Growth has been a central part of your story so far; what's next?
I want to see my dealership thrive, aiming to position it among the top five in the Bay Area. We have hurdles like construction and foundational challenges, but with commitment and drive, we're on our way.
Ah, so it's like your commitment to growth is personal but not selfish. So you can see the whole store and its associates growing as more of the good stuff!
Yes! Leadership is key. Previous roles taught me the value of investment and equipping others for success. Every person in my store knows I'm all in, and I expect the same dedication from them.
We set goals, we meet them, and then we set our sights even higher.