How'd you get started?

[mchastek]

Just curious - how did everyone get started in the automotive industry? What was your first job?

[Viper 10]

I drove a delivery truck in school and got robbed at liquor stores. Does that count?

I cleaned up around my dad's pit area at Riverside Raceway during the 1960's. Growing up around road racine cars got me hooked from the begining. It hasn't subsided since those days.

I did 20 years in the hi-tech arena before starting my own gig. I decided that following my passion was more important than money and the superficial crap that came with the territory.

Brad

[kristi]

I may not work for Nissan, but I work in advertising on motorcycles and I'm involved in this forum because I care about the car industry from a consumer's standpoint as well as a marketer's standpoint.

But as Brad mentioned, "following my passion" has led me this far. I grew up with 2 older brothers who, between beating me up, taught me quite a lot about cars and thereby handed down their love for the machine and quite a few bruises.

Another female friend who loves cars wants us to work collaboratively on a book for girls about cars. We'll see how that goes...

[jwhitey]

I got where I'm at to learn about upholstery to build my on shoop later on. But i fell in love with the company and have been there for two years. Before this I worked in making chemical protection suits for spills, and warfare. I have always had a love for the auto industry and am always looking for a way to get deeper.

[mustangsally]

I just love the cars... I was selling houses and the market fell drastically, I start selling cars and the market drops...drastically hmmmmm

[Topshop]

"Working the islands" at age 15...straight commission selling fill-ups, oil, washer solvent. Kinda miss it! ;)

Tom Ham
AutomotiveManagementNetwork.com & Hams Management Systems