Women in Business
As a woman in business there are many challenges. You often have to deal with an entirely different set of obstacles than your male counterpart. Of course you have the usual job stress, but you’ll also have to be prepared to deal with a fair share of sexism, intimidation tactics, and jealousy, at least until you prove yourself.
When you’re a woman in a male dominated industry you have to know your product even better than the men you work alongside. You’ll often have to work ten times harder to gain the respect of your coworkers, but once you do, it will all be worth it.
In the super luxe sales world, I have had to deal with almost anything you can imagine. As a woman selling Lamborghini’s you wouldn’t believe the list of stories I could tell. In fact we don’t have the time but if we ever do, I’m sure you’d be entertained and shocked. What we do have time for, is for me to offer you a few tips to keep your positive attitude while you endure the hustle and struggle of establishing respect in your field.
At this point in my career I have been selling the Lamborghini brand for over 4 years. I have a steady clientele and I truly enjoy my job. I’m no longer desperate for deals and I have established myself as the Lamborghini sales specialist for my dealership, so I have the respect of my coworkers, clients, and dealership owners. However in the beginning it wasn’t always like that. Not only did my colleagues question how I was building my clientele, they make snide remarks behind my back. On top of that, I had to encounter online bullies through social media who would say things like “Go back to the kitchen” or “just have babies rather than try to have a career” and they often even attack your personal style or body shape, which has nothing to do with your skill. They can be very brave behind a computer screen, but ultimately they are just trying to beat you down and shake your confidence. It’s so important that you don’t give that negativity any value. So my first tip is to find a balance and shield yourself from this negativity. By simply doing that, you’ll be able to focus on what’s important.
My second tip for survival would be to delegate and hire help when the time comes. This makes an incredible difference in your day! It can be hard to relinquish control especially when you’ve worked so hard to build your brand, but once things start to take off you cannot handle it all on your own. It’s so important to have a solid team behind you. Plus, regarding social media, you won’t have to peruse through any negative comments online. Your assistant can filter it and you can start your day by only absorbing the positive.
Thirdly, you need to take time for yourself. Even if it’s only a few hours per week, it’s so important to meditate, take a nice lunch, whatever will get your head out of the business so that your sanity stays intact. Without this time you’ll succumb to stress and be less effective and productive. You’ll be amazed at what an hour lunch can do for your mental state during a busy work day. I find it very hard to take the time, but when I do I’m so much more pleasant to deal with. Ultimately, your clientele will appreciate the smile it puts on your face and the difference it makes in your energy level.
Finally you have to have thick skin. Don’t be afraid to be bold, brave and brassy when needed. When you hear sexist comments, quip right back! Just know that you’re there to stay….brush off the negativity and find humor in the fact that you do everything your male counterparts do, but you do it in spanx and heels! Woman are wonderful at multi-tasking and ultimately we can do it all. Hang in there sisters and know that you are not alone. You can succeed as a woman in business, and you can do it just as good or better than your male counterparts.
Speaking of successful women, check out this week’s delivery video with my client Anna Laytor. She is an incredible woman who purchased herself a 2017 Aventador Roadster LP700-4, and she is an inspiration to us all!