Kat Wysocki – Account Manager & Digital Analyst – CBC Automotive Marketing
Erica: Who are you?
Kat: I am a cat mom, New Hampshire native. I spent about 10 years in dealerships. I love traveling. I’m a VW nut – I’ve had 4 Golf R’s.
Erica: How did you get into the Automotive Industry?
Kat: I needed a job and saw a $500 a week guaranteed salary on a Craigslist ad to be a car salesperson. I was told I would not last, so I decided to prove everyone wrong and 10 plus years later, I’m still in it!
Erica: What's the greatest career lesson you've learned that you wish someone had prepared you for?
Kat: The biggest lesson for me would be when I took time off and I took a couple months to regroup and get my head back on straight. I wish someone would have told me how to keep my head on straight from the get-go. But the reason I’ve been successful is because I’m a really hard worker – but you can get burned out really easy.
Erica: What piece of advice would you give to someone entering the Automotive Industry?
Kat: Just do a lot of research of where you’re applying and the dealerships you’re considering working for. You have to make sure that your values and theirs align. Thicken up your skin, buckle up and hang in there. It’s a grind but it’s well worth it.
Erica: What keeps you going in this industry of so many ups & downs? What keeps you passionate about it?
Kat: I love that it’ never the same thing from day to day. It’s the opposite of monotonous. I also love cars and that helps. I also love people and the relationships you make. The right people keep you going. Especially here at CBC, we have a great support system, and everyone just wants to do the right thing that’s needed.
Erica: If you weren’t in the car business, what would it be? What has stopped you from making the change?
Kat: Be working for myself. Being a digital consultant for dealerships – but that is essentially what I’m doing here at CBC. I haven’t pursued it because I found CBC and I love it.
Erica: What’s your least favorite part of the Automotive Industry?
Kat: How reactionary some people can be. People, like OEM’s/dealers/individuals, can just want to change everything under the sun and I don’t think that’s always the smartest plan. Sometimes you will need to change and that’s good – but if you’re changing everything you do every single month or day/week, then you’re just shooting from the hip.
Erica: This was great, Kat, thank you for spending this time with me. Is there anything else you'd like the people who read this to know?
Kat: See the World. I think traveling is really important to get outside of your own box. You’ll see different perspectives. Especially when your clients could be all over the country. The car business isn’t for the faint of heart but it’s incredibly rewarding and can be well worth it. Just hunker down.
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