My start in the industry was as a salesperson selling new Fords. By the end of my second year, I had achieved the status of a “Ford Top Hatter” which was an elite group of salespeople who represented the top 5% in the nation. I contributed my success to my ability to understand exactly what the buyer wanted, needed and could afford and never proposing anything that didn’t meet their criteria. A few years later I quickly moved up the management structure of a new car dealership going from sales manager to general sales manager and ultimately as the general manager. At the height of my career, I was successfully managing multiple franchises within the same automotive group. My philosophy regarding the industry never wavered and everyone working on my staff, whether in management, sales or service were trained and held to the same principle of mine to respect the buyers wishes. The act of selling should be a win, win for all parties involved. Following that philosophy breeds happy customers and that dictates to repeat customers and referrals.