Women in the Auto Industry: How did you get your start in the car business?

Hey Ladies! 

As part of Women's Month here on dE, I thought it would be fun to hear from the ladies and learn how you actually got started in this crazy business of ours!  For most, we stumble into it and awake one day to find it (the car biz) under our skin and running through our veins!

I am certain we will hear a vast array of interesting stories, but looking forward to listening to each and every one!  (Thanks Stephanie for friend requesting me today and asking me how I got involved in the business...You gave me the idea).

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Permalink Reply by Charmaine M Hammel on May 5, 2011 at 10:59am

I have decided to do it!  After several months of serious consideration, I am going down to interview for a Sales job at the local Ford Dealership.  They advertized, I responded.  My heart (and 16+ years of experience) is in finance..housing...mortgages..... But not having an auto background has prevented me from getting the one job I know I am good at!  So, after much deliberation, I am diving in.  I will learn EVERYTHING automotive, then come back at F&I fully armed!

Wish me luck!!!

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on May 5, 2011 at 11:20am
Good Luck, Charmaine...Warning....once it gets in your blood, there is no turning back!  Call me if you need anything (candid advice from a friendly car girl).

Charmaine M Hammel said:

I have decided to do it!  After several months of serious consideration, I am going down to interview for a Sales job at the local Ford Dealership.  They advertized, I responded.  My heart (and 16+ years of experience) is in finance..housing...mortgages..... But not having an auto background has prevented me from getting the one job I know I am good at!  So, after much deliberation, I am diving in.  I will learn EVERYTHING automotive, then come back at F&I fully armed!

Wish me luck!!!

Permalink Reply by Jodi Cook on May 5, 2011 at 11:32am
I drove around the dealership four times before I went in to ask for a job in car sales.  They were not advertising but I wanted a job in the auto industry.  Why, I'm not sure.  I guess I figured it had to pay better than anything else and I would not have to be stuck sitting behind a desk doing the same thing day in and day out.  I got the car biz bug in 2002 and have enjoyed the auto industry very much.  It has provided me with financial stability to provide for my children.  It is alot of hours and alot of stress sometimes, but in the end, worth it!!!! 
Permalink Reply by Charmaine M Hammel on May 5, 2011 at 11:43am
Thanks Nancy :-)

NANCY SIMMONS said:
Good Luck, Charmaine...Warning....once it gets in your blood, there is no turning back!  Call me if you need anything (candid advice from a friendly car girl).

Charmaine M Hammel said:

I have decided to do it!  After several months of serious consideration, I am going down to interview for a Sales job at the local Ford Dealership.  They advertized, I responded.  My heart (and 16+ years of experience) is in finance..housing...mortgages..... But not having an auto background has prevented me from getting the one job I know I am good at!  So, after much deliberation, I am diving in.  I will learn EVERYTHING automotive, then come back at F&I fully armed!

Wish me luck!!!

Permalink Reply by John L Hayward on May 5, 2011 at 12:04pm
I would congradulate you all on the courages and wise decision to change careers into one of the most fulfilling and financially rewarding careers available. In my almost 30 years in the auto industry I have always encouraged Women to enter the auto sales career path. It can be a tough decision for some of you but with hard
Permalink Reply by Elise Kephart on May 5, 2011 at 1:03pm
I grew up around the car business (my dad was in it for over a decade) and never in a million years thought I would be in it.  I worked every job possible (Subway, Longs Drugs, Receptionist, Jamba Juice, Paper Route,Sushi Restaurant (server), Italian Restaurant (server), PF Changs (server), Express Clothing, American Eagle Clothing, Starbucks, IT support for computer company...........with all these jobs, (some even being worked 3 at a time) it was always the same...working hard sun up to sun down and making a limited paycheck.  So it was my dad who suggested since I was used to the hours already, getting into the car biz.  I applied at a big corporate Nissan Dealer and they turned me down, I didn't give up though and applied a second time at a different store...they also turned me down ("no sales experience")....I went into Heller Ford Hyundai in Escondido and my now good friend and GM at the time, Rick Card hired me and said he saw potential.  I worked at Heller for about a year and a half on the sales floor...then moved back to my hometown of San Luis Obispo and have worked at Sunset Honda in San Luis Obispo for two years as the Internet Sales Manager.  Ive grown our social media platform, and have put a creative spin in what I do (it makes it fun)....ironically about 2 weeks ago, guess who I got a call from??? That SAME Nissan Dealer who turned me down twice saying they saw my youtube videos and offered me a "great position" and would pay for my move back down to San Diego etc etc....I kindly responded that I am very happy where I am at.
Permalink Reply by Kathryn Carlson on May 5, 2011 at 1:24pm
  After working as an HR director, developing HR software and providing HR consulting to just about every industry except auto dealers I was hired by KPA to manage an HR program used by over 800 dealers.  Good HR practices are universal but understanding and responding to the specific HR challenges dealerships face such has high turnover, succession planning, specific regulations on wage payment has been interesting and acutally fun.  Dealerships don't always recognize that HR is just as important a department as Finance or Sales or Fixed Operations and can have an equally or greater impact on the bottom line so much of my time is spent on education and helping HR Managers and Directors use Key Performance Metrics along with regulatory compliance and best practices to show real value.
Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on May 5, 2011 at 9:24pm
Jodi, Thanks for sharing your story... That must have taken guts to just walk in off the street and proclaim you were interested in a career selling automobiles...I love it!!!! Glad to see you stuck with it and reaping the benefits!

Jodi Cook said:
I drove around the dealership four times before I went in to ask for a job in car sales.  They were not advertising but I wanted a job in the auto industry.  Why, I'm not sure.  I guess I figured it had to pay better than anything else and I would not have to be stuck sitting behind a desk doing the same thing day in and day out.  I got the car biz bug in 2002 and have enjoyed the auto industry very much.  It has provided me with financial stability to provide for my children.  It is alot of hours and alot of stress sometimes, but in the end, worth it!!!! 
Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on May 5, 2011 at 9:27pm
Tree,  I absolutely love hearing stories like that!  The first step is believing you CAN do it... I bet you are a superstar!!!

Tree King said:
Three years ago I was looking for a job for over a year, and nothing was working so I thought could I sell cars?  I went to Grand Buick GMC Kia and they called me the next day.  I'm now GM and Kia certified Sales Consultant and do Social Media for our store.  I was on On air personality for 20 years and couldn't find a job in the industry.
Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on May 5, 2011 at 9:31pm
Thanks for commenting Kathryn,  Your story is interesting and unique!  I don't know of many dealers who look at HR as a controllable department...It seem they regard it (along with all compliance issues) as a necessary evil!  Comprising efficient but attractive benefit packages is an art and an integral part of employee retention, which in turn promotes profit, customer retention, loyalty and high satisfaction scores as well!  I appreciate your share!

Kathryn Carlson said:
  After working as an HR director, developing HR software and providing HR consulting to just about every industry except auto dealers I was hired by KPA to manage an HR program used by over 800 dealers.  Good HR practices are universal but understanding and responding to the specific HR challenges dealerships face such has high turnover, succession planning, specific regulations on wage payment has been interesting and acutally fun.  Dealerships don't always recognize that HR is just as important a department as Finance or Sales or Fixed Operations and can have an equally or greater impact on the bottom line so much of my time is spent on education and helping HR Managers and Directors use Key Performance Metrics along with regulatory compliance and best practices to show real value.
Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on May 5, 2011 at 9:37pm
Had to chuckle at your story Elise...That phone call must have spawned a fist pump moment!  I love it!!!! You are incredible at what you do and a pioneer in SM and Vmail Marketing for all in the business!  Your strong work ethic applied to innovation is outstanding!  Keep up the great work and plowing the way for all women (and men) with your creative flair and over the top communication technique!

Elise Kephart said:
I grew up around the car business (my dad was in it for over a decade) and never in a million years thought I would be in it.  I worked every job possible (Subway, Longs Drugs, Receptionist, Jamba Juice, Paper Route,Sushi Restaurant (server), Italian Restaurant (server), PF Changs (server), Express Clothing, American Eagle Clothing, Starbucks, IT support for computer company...........with all these jobs, (some even being worked 3 at a time) it was always the same...working hard sun up to sun down and making a limited paycheck.  So it was my dad who suggested since I was used to the hours already, getting into the car biz.  I applied at a big corporate Nissan Dealer and they turned me down, I didn't give up though and applied a second time at a different store...they also turned me down ("no sales experience")....I went into Heller Ford Hyundai in Escondido and my now good friend and GM at the time, Rick Card hired me and said he saw potential.  I worked at Heller for about a year and a half on the sales floor...then moved back to my hometown of San Luis Obispo and have worked at Sunset Honda in San Luis Obispo for two years as the Internet Sales Manager.  Ive grown our social media platform, and have put a creative spin in what I do (it makes it fun)....ironically about 2 weeks ago, guess who I got a call from??? That SAME Nissan Dealer who turned me down twice saying they saw my youtube videos and offered me a "great position" and would pay for my move back down to San Diego etc etc....I kindly responded that I am very happy where I am at.
Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on May 5, 2011 at 9:37pm

Thanks so much John for your contribution and support here!  Much welcomed and appreciated!!!

 

John L Hayward said:

I would congradulate you all on the courages and wise decision to change careers into one of the most fulfilling and financially rewarding careers available. In my almost 30 years in the auto industry I have always encouraged Women to enter the auto sales career path. It can be a tough decision for some of you but with hard

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