Hi Paige! We’re excited to learn more about you and hear how you got into the auto industry. Give us an overview: Who are you, where do you work, and what role do you serve in your company?
Hi! I’m Paige Goodwin and my title is Director of Digital Retailing for Group 1 Automotive. My role spans our digital buying solution and the implementation of a Consumer Data Platform.
How did you get into the auto industry?
It all began about 20 years ago. I took on a Customer Service role at a startup automotive marketing company. The people responsible for the startup came from the Friedkin Companies (Gulf States Toyota, GS Marketing, GSFS Group, etc.) and I was able to connect with other people who had previously been or were currently employed there.
After a year, that company sold, and I stayed on with the new organization and moved into a sales role where I consulted with dealerships across the country on their direct marketing.
Then the call I’d been hoping for came...I was invited to join Gulf States Marketing team where I would spend the next thirteen-and-a-half years. That’s also where I met Daryl Kenningham, the current CEO of Group 1. In 2019 I reached out to Daryl to ask for a job at Group 1 and joined them in October of that year.
Who do you think has been the most influential person in your career?
I’ve had many who influenced my career, but the most influential is Shelley Washburn. Shelley’s career path was inspiring because she was very early in being the first or only female in various automotive roles in dealerships and OEM field roles.
The call I’d been waiting for to come work at the Friedkin organization came from Shelley and she took me under her wing for my whole career at GSM. In addition to the work-related knowledge, Shelley helped me to be a better person in general and opened my eyes to the importance of volunteering in the community. She made sure I learned and grew over time, and she is still one of my great friends to this day.
We love that. Having a good mentor can make all the difference. What would you say is the most useful, game-changing, growth-facilitating change you have implemented in your business?
It’s hard to choose between two, so I’m just going to have to say both! The first is our digital platform, AcceleRide. It was instrumental in helping us through the pandemic to sell cars and has even allowed us to sell after major weather events when the dealerships may be without power. We can sell a car to anyone, from anywhere! It’s also making us more efficient when selling, giving us the ability to grow.
Second is the Consumer Data Platform. We went live early this year and its capabilities are just so powerful for growth and unlock a lot of opportunity.
Let’s end with probably the most critical question of all: What was your first car?
My grandparents gave me $2,000 for high school graduation in 1993 in hopes that I would take a trip to Europe, and I immediately went out and bought a pre-owned 1989 Ford Probe GT instead. Yes, the one with the flip-up lights! It was gray with red interior and had a manual transmission. I absolutely loved it!
