People First, Cars Second

I immersed myself in car stats – fuel capacity, leg room, horse power.  But I was boring people.  I learned to listen to the customer rather than the other way around.  Once I understood their needs I could explain the features that would be the most important to them.  I’m actually more of a people buff than a car buff.

On The Job Training

I’m so glad I didn’t know how much I didn’t know. Sometimes ignorance, or as I prefer to say naiveté, is bliss.  You can’t wait till you know everything.  If I had waited to run my own dealership until I understood everything about the car business I’d still be waiting.  After 19 years as CEO I’m still learning.

To Make A Difference, Be Different

At night I would lie awake like an expectant mom and wonder what I would name my dealership.  I didn’t want anything trite like “friendly” or ‘heritage” or “bay breezes.”  Then I thought of “love.”  It’s a noun, a verb, and the most positive word in our vocabulary.  It evoked the way I knew I would serve my customers.  I’m a woman in a male dominated industry.  Rather than apologize for that or ape the behavior of men, I was able to use it to distinguish myself.

Hot Rod Homemaker

I still use my homemaker skills to run my companies.  Homemakers have attributes that you wouldn’t normally think of putting on a resume.  Talents like space planning, budgeting, time management, emotional compartmentalization, negotiating.  Women rely on these skills every day without realizing how valuable they are.

Seize The Day

Rituals are essential.  For me, seeing the sun rise is very spiritual.  Every day is a new day.  It’s fresh, it’s a clean piece of paper.  I haven’t made a mistake yet.  I’m a gourmet bather.  It’s girly but it works for me.  In order to nurture others I know I have to nurture myself first every morning.

 This Featured Lady was profiled by Susie Lacey, Associate Editor, Ladies Who Launch.

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