By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Chelsea Arnold, customer service lead at DLG Lighting, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know Arnold in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: How many years have you been with your current company and what do you enjoy most about working there?
Chelsea Arnold: Two years. What I enjoy most is having the opportunity to learn and grow in the automotive lighting industry.
SN: What is the most challenging part of your business or job?
CA: The most challenging part is getting your footing and proving you can work just as hard as anyone else.
SN: How many years have you been in the industry and what was your first industry job?
CA: Zero. This was my first industry position!
SN: What three qualities got you to where you are today?
CA: Having attention to detail, compassion and being strong-willed.
SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
CA: Proving that I know as much as the guys! I have customers double-check my answers all the time, so I have to stay on top of my game and prove I know what's best for them.
SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
CA: None in the industry, but my mom has helped me keep calm when I'm frustrated about work and pushes me to do my very best.
SN: What is the best career advice you have received?
CA: Coach up or coach out. I apply it to myself when I think I can't accomplish something. I either coach myself through it or coach myself out into a better situation.
SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
CA: Not always but I enjoy having knowledge about vehicles that many people don't.
SN: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
CA: My mom.
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 News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website.