I kind of fell into the automotive business. A friend of a friend had a position open in a BDC of a car dealer selling Suzuki and Isuzu. I left a collection agency where I was selling the idea of paying a bill to go to the automotive business where I was selling the idea of making and keeping an appointment to meet with a salesperson. 

I started at the bottom, making phone calls to leads, setting appointments, tracking shows and sales. Then, we brought on a consultant who turned out BDC into a whole new business, with a whole new structure. I hated the consultant because she made me do actual work instead of breezing through the day making jokes with my boss.

Looking back, she did me an immense favor and instilled in me a "must work to succeed" mantra that has stuck with me until now. I self taught myself Excel, Access, and developed a reporting system for the BDC statistics. I managed a project with Isuzu corporate. I signed on new dealers to our services. I did quality assurance and ensured our calls were to the utmost of quality. I was 23 with a $40,000/year job, a relationship in which I was sure we were going to marry. I was happy.

But then, it crashed.

My significant other and I split. 2 months later I was laid off from my position with the car dealership. I'd spend the next 2 years unemploymenting myself through freelance writing, and finding my true passion - which wasn't easy to find. I dealt with a little bit of depression. Lack of direction. Hopelessness.

But then, it all clicked. Do what you're passionate about. Do what you love. Don't let a setback set you back from moving forward.

So, what makes me happy? Blogging. Writing. Social Media. Consulting. Weekend brunches. Phone conversations. Words With Friends on Android. Chicken Pot Pie. Running. Music. DealerElite conversations ;). Inspirational quotes.

A good day is one in which I do at least 3 of the above things. 

I crashed. I burned. I put myself back together, I succeeded.

....and I'm still floating around in the automotive business. 

How did YOU get where you are? And what makes you happy?