By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) named Cathy Clark as this week’s #SheIsSEMA Spotlight Member. Clark is the chair-elect of the SBN, and a sales representative at Bob Cook Sales, a leading sales, marketing and consulting company for manufacturers and resellers of the automotive aftermarket.
Having not always wanted to work in the automotive industry, Clark now has a career that she thoroughly enjoys with a strong work ethic that is noticed by many. Get to know what drives her passion in her Q&A with SEMA.
SEMA: How many years have you been with your current company and what do you enjoy most about working there?
Cathy Clark: I have worked for Bob Cook Sales for 12 years. What I enjoy most about my company is the people that I work with and the freedom that I have to do my job. Our owners expect a great deal from us but they give us the flexibility to accomplish our goals however we see fit.
SEMA: What is most challenging part of running your business or job?
CC: The most challenging part of my job is preparing and responding to circumstances that are out of my control. The economy, new ownership of client companies, etc., can all have an impact on my job even though I may not have any say in the matter.
SEMA: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments? Do you have a specific situation that comes to mind?
CC: Being a woman in the industry does bring with it some challenges. Some believe that I am not as knowledgeable about the industry. I love when I prove them wrong and they thank me for my hard work and what I have helped them accomplish.
SEMA: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry? How have they helped you along the way?
CC: My father is my number one role model in the industry. He worked with Bob Cook Sales for almost 30 years and he still to this day gives me advice. He showed me how to do this job on every imaginable level.
SEMA: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
CC: Absolutely not. If you had told me I would be in this industry when I was growing up, I would have laughed at you. What keeps me in this industry is the people and the challenging work that changes daily. I thoroughly enjoy what I do!
Do you know, or are you, a woman with a career in the automotive industry? Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN’s #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and recognized on the www.sema.org/she-is-sema website.