It's only the beginning...

I’ll never forget the look on my family’s faces when I told them I was going to be working in the car business. The words “utter shock” and “disbelief” come to mind. Actually it was more of a silent glance from person to person to see if I was serious or trying to pull a fast one. This was mainly due to the fact that before I started working for Preston Toyota the only thing I could tell you about a car was its color. I accepted their doubts and their puzzled looks and can confidently say that today I’ve proved every one of them wrong.


I am a recent graduate of Youngstown State University with a Bachelor’s Degree of the Arts in Sociology with a certificate in Psychology. I am fully aware and knowledgeable of human behavior and emotion and of the influences of culture and mainstream society. What I was not fully aware of or prepared for were the questions about the difference between all-wheel-drive and front-wheel drive or even what the power train was. However, I am always willing to learn and accept new challenges. Being an Internet Coordinator does not require me to know all of the specs and details about the vehicle though and sometimes I feel my customers can relate to me and feel more comfortable speaking to me first. Since, just like you, I’m constantly researching and asking the experts for answers.

Just after my 20th birthday I decided to buy a car. I remember the rigorous process of calling around and looking for the best price. I remember the dealerships that were rude and the dealerships that were patient and answered my questions. I remember my frustrations of feeling like I was being taken advantage of or not taken seriously because of my age and gender. I know what it’s like to be in the customer’s shoes and I take that into consideration with every person I talk to.


I enjoy my job and the people I work with. I’ve learned that not all salesmen are bad and are out to rob you of your hard earned money. Being a woman in this industry is definitely challenging at times. I do get customers who think I’m a receptionist and do not want to speak to me, but the people who respect and appreciate me for my customer service skills make it all worthwhile. The car business may be a man’s world now but we women are certainly making our mark and I’m eager to see what the future holds for us!