Inaugural Aftermarket Women’s Business Summit Announced

The Car Care Council Women's Board (WB) is presenting the first-ever Aftermarket Women's Business Summit, scheduled for Nov. 1-3 in Las Vegas, NV, during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). The summit, designed for women repair shop owners and managers, will include educational and networking sessions focused on empowering the industry's women to achieve business and professional success.

The Car Care Council Women’s Board (WB) is presenting the first-ever Aftermarket Women’s Business Summit, scheduled for Nov. 1-3 in Las Vegas, NV, during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). The summit, designed for women repair shop owners and managers, will include educational and networking sessions focused on empowering the industry’s women to achieve business and professional success.

Attendees of the event will include female shop owners and managers, and the day and a half event will feature sessions covering such topics as: keeping customers for life; case studies of successful efforts to attract female customers in other major industries; the importance of brand integrity; and recruiting and creating teams that bring prosperity to your business. A panel discussion of successful women in the industry, as well as the Women’s Board reception and AAPEX show floor tours, will also be featured for summit attendees.

“The Women’s Board is pleased to be presenting this outstanding event for female aftermarket professionals,” said WB president Ruth Ehlinger, AAA. “The summit is an unprecedented opportunity for women in the industry to network, learn and gain insight on achieving business success, as well as offering them a dynamic AAPEX experience, giving them a first-hand look at the scope, power and importance of our industry and their importance in it.”

Retailers, program groups, independent warehouses and manufacturers’ reps are encouraged to invite and host female shop owners and managers from their companies to participate in the inaugural Aftermarket Women’s Business Summit. Hosts will receive recognition on signage at the event, and opportunities to lead their attendees on a guided tour of AAPEX and entertain them for a dinner function. Hosts provide conference registration ($225), airfare and hotel accommodations for each customer attendee. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for all industry manufacturers and suppliers.

Early-bird registration deadline is Aug. 15, and spaces are limited. Reserve space for your attendees today by e-mailing participants’ names and companies to [email protected].

For complete information on the summit, including a draft agenda, visit http://women.carcare.org.

About the Car Care Council Women’s Board
The Women’s Board is comprised of professional men and women who are dedicated to getting information to female audiences concerning educating women about car care and encouraging young people to investigate "automotive" as their career choice. The goal of the Car Care Council Women’s Board is two-fold: To encourage women to become active in vehicle maintenance; and to promote career opportunities for women in the automotive parts and service industry. For more information, visit women.carcare.org.

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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