As a successful female in a predominately male industry, I write this article with the hope of inspiring young women to join the world of automotive. It is an industry that is constantly changing and it is exciting to be a part of something with such an extensive history and promising future.
I’m often asked why I chose the automotive industry. My response is always the same. “I didn’t choose automotive, automotive chose me.” My family owned and operated a Honda dealership in Connecticut. While many teenagers were working at the local dairy queen or movie theater, I was dedicating my time to the family business learning lessons I have carried with me throughout my career.
My mother was the glue which held the business together. I’ve always thought that I took after my father by following in his footsteps in this industry. Truthfully, it was my mother who set the example for me and was the epitome of a strong-willed, intelligent female succeeding in an industry where women historically had not.
While working at the dealership, my mother had undoubtedly felt pushed to her breaking point many times. However, nobody would have known because she wore defeat like a beautiful diamond necklace and an evening gown. No matter what the problem was, she addressed it with a smile on her face and fire in her heart.
There are many times I have wanted to quit automotive all together, move to a cabin in the middle of nowhere and live off the land. I have been pushed to my limits and I have been tested to the end of my will, but I have never given up. I’ve felt like I didn’t belong, or I wasn’t a part of the team, I wasn’t being accepted, and I was working twice as hard for half the recognition. However, I continued to wear the diamond necklace with a smile, just as my mother had taught me.
Each time I interviewed for a position I did not get, I asked for coaching and I tried again. Each time I didn’t close a deal, I asked for feedback and I tried again. Each time I felt I failed, I took the opportunity to better myself and to learn where my weaknesses were. I looked for as many opportunities to learn and build my skillset as I possibly could. Personal branding is essential and that is exactly what I was unknowingly doing, creating my own personal brand. I was defining who I was and where I wanted to be. I was a squirrel gathering seeds to store for the winter. Except instead of a squirrel, I am a business woman, knowledge and experience is my stash of seeds, and winter was exactly what I needed to emerge into a successful, well respected, seasoned professional. There will always be days when I have doubt. Those are the days I think of my mother the most and remember her class and decorum.
My message to young women is this: There will be days you go home in tears. There will be days when you doubt yourself and why you chose automotive. You will want to quit and do something easier. You may feel as I did, an outcast, who doesn’t belong, and finds it difficult to succeed. You may feel you aren’t being given fair opportunities or you are consistently being overlooked. Do not allow this to kill your spirit or your drive. Don’t give up! Continue to quietly gather your seeds and stash them. In time, you will have gathered enough seeds for the winter and you will awake to the right opportunity, at the right time, with the right company. You will still be wearing your diamond necklace, except this time, you won’t be wearing an evening gown. You will be wearing your self-made, self-built, personal brand leading you to success.
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