Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego. 

With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors

Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.

Next up is Michelle Chapman, who is president of Homer Skelton Group.

Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?

Michelle Chapman: My father taught me a love of cars from early childhood. We would spend Sunday afternoons driving around the city looking at vehicles on used car lots. He loved used cars from the beginning of his career and taught me to love this aspect of the business as well. I enjoy representing his name and continuing his legacy in our community.

As a family-owned dealership, we get the opportunity to work in our community and try to be a positive contributor to our area. We have so many great charities and schools and we love coming alongside them to impact areas of need. I would love to change the view of automobile dealers. By and large, most of us truly care about our community and customers. Small businesses are such an important part of the community and I wish consumers realized that dealers play an important role in their community.

We employ local people and support local schools and charities. We offer competitive prices and give the customers options to choose from. Publicly held online companies take jobs away from local people and they do not contribute anything into local communities. They also do not have any real customer support after the sale. If local dealers are taking out of the equation, prices will not go down. The corporations will have total control over supply and pricing. We strive every day to treat people well and change the perception of automobile dealers.

AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?

Chapman: There are so many it is hard to choose. Online buying is definitely something we are watching closely. We are looking at options to bring this option to our customers in a seamless manner if they desire this option. There is no doubt that COVID has brought turmoil and change to our industry. We want to take the struggles and turn them into new opportunities. We are blessed that my husband, Brian, is constantly looking for new ways to sell product and improve the customer experience. There is a place for us but we have to be willing to grow and evolve. Customers today expect more and we have to deliver.

AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?

Chapman: The car business is cyclical. When times are good, don’t get lazy or proud. Work hard to constantly improve and be better. Watch your expenses every day. When times are hard, this will all pay off. When times are hard, don’t panic. Work smarter but know that good times will come back. Stay up to date on trends. Don’t ever think you have it all fi gured out because it is probably about to change. Help people. Choose to make a diff erence in your community. Most of all, enjoy the ride. Time will go more quickly than you can ever imagine.

AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?

Chapman: I love what I do. One of my father’s favorite sayings was if you love what you do, you will never work a day. There are hard times and it can be discouraging. If you don’t love your job, it is unbearable. My father gave me the gift of loving my job and he was the best example of how to handle the ups and downs of the car business.

He also taught me that your people are your most important asset. Without our employees, we would have nothing. Good people are the key to any company’s success. I honestly did not want to respond to this because they are the only ones who deserve recognition. I am just then grateful benefactor of my amazing employees. The other key is the Lord’s blessing. As I look back over my life, I am constantly humbled at His kindness to me.