There’s been a few lively discussions recently about women in the automotive industry. I never was a “feminist”, nor do I consider myself one today, but I am one of the women in automotive. However, I just came into this industry and slowly realized all the things I had to BE in order to be taken half as seriously as the men around me. So, here is my advice…

Be strong. Be assertive. Be aggressive.
Don’t worry about the titles you get or the names you will likely get called. Our industry is no different from all the others regarding this topic. We are in an age when women are increasingly becoming breadwinners and spending less time with the family. There is nothing wrong with that. It just makes some uncomfortable and they have to change their thinking. There are more female CEOs than ever before. Why can’t that be you?

You CAN do it provided you work hard, master your craft, and continue learning.

Two simple facts.
Women are performing at higher rates in both retail and in service than men. Often outgrossing their male counterparts. Women’s innate nurturing qualities with word tracks and showing genuine concern lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty purchases.

It’s okay to be uncomfortable and speak up, but speak in terms they understand.

Numbers!
Nothing speaks louder in this industry than numbers. If you work the showroom floor… Work hard and outsell them. They quiet down. If you are in the Internet department…
Work hard and show them how your efforts help the sales numbers…they get on board.

We need strong, driven, knowledgeable women in automotive. Dealers know it, managers know it, vendors know it. You definitely have a place here, you just may have to shout to get heard initially… And if you need help, just ask! Our industry has an amazing collection of knowledgeable, forward-thinking women I’m proud to call mentors and peers.