“There’s something different every day.”
For Kristen Bowen, General Manager of Audi Northlake in Charlotte, N.C., the ever-changing nature of the automotive industry is just one reason she loves what she does. While she now has a deep affinity for the business, there was a time when it wasn’t even on her radar. Her journey was shaped by a willingness to explore new opportunities and the people who believed in her along the way.
Kristen didn’t take the most typical path into the automotive industry. She joined Hendrick Automotive Group in 2008 as a part-time receptionist at Hendrick MINI. At the time, she had no prior experience in automotive retail, and her familiarity with the Hendrick name stemmed mostly from motorsports. In fact, the appeal of Hendrick Motorsports is one reason she accepted the receptionist position in the first place.
“I’ll get my foot in the door, and I can use this to get on the motorsports side,” she recalled. “Obviously, I have not done that. I’m still here on the retail side, which I love.”
Her time behind the front desk at Hendrick MINI ultimately proved invaluable as it gave her a firsthand look at how the sales team operated.
“I really got to watch and listen from the salespeople that were already there.”
Something clicked for Kristen, and those around her began to take notice. After multiple attempts at convincing by the sales manager, she made the leap to a sales role at Hendrick MINI. From there, her career really took off.
After three years in sales, she was inspired by a colleague who had transitioned into a finance manager role and decided to take the same step. Not long after, on what she remembers as a rare snowy day in Charlotte, she received an email inviting her to interview for a sales manager position at Hendrick Automotive Group’s newest Audi dealership.
Kristen held the new and pre-owned sales manager positions at Audi Northlake before the General Manager position became available. This was in 2020, and she’s been leading the dealership ever since.
Kristen’s success certainly took hard work, but she believes the people involved along the way were just as important.
The Power of Leadership
At Hendrick Automotive Group, one of our core values is “Servant Leadership,” which involves leading by serving and empowering others. Throughout her career, Kristen witnessed the impact of this leadership style firsthand.
She remembers several leaders who prioritized development and created opportunities for their people. She credits these leaders for helping her grow and providing the resources and support she needed to succeed.
“Never once have they made me feel like because I’m a woman, I couldn’t do what they were doing. They’ve always pushed me to say I wanted something.”
Now, in her role as General Manager, Kristen carries that same leadership philosophy forward. To her, effective leaders do more than simply give orders. Rather, they listen, support, and invest in their people. She focuses on building strong relationships with her team by understanding their motivators and helping them reach their full potential.
“What can I do to help them with their next step, to help them outside of work? I have to know what’s important to them. To motivate them, to mentor them, you have to be really intentional about spending time with your team.”
Furthermore, Kristen has found that the benefits of this leadership style don’t just flow downward. They come full circle, shaping her as a leader in return.
When reflecting on the inspiration she gains from her team, Kristen shared, “They teach me a lot. They’re mentors to me too. They’re making me a better leader.”
An Industry for All
Kristen firmly believes that with hard work and a ready-to-grow mindset, anyone can build a long and fulfilling career in the automotive industry.
That’s one reason Kristen is passionate about showcasing the opportunities that exist in the industry, especially for women. She recognizes that while the industry has historically been male dominated, more women are stepping into leadership roles and proving their talents.
She stressed the importance of representation in the industry, saying, “The automotive industry isn’t going anywhere. So, I think the more stories that other women see is super helpful. If we really want to get women into this business, we really have to highlight and showcase what they can do.”
We couldn’t agree more. That’s why, during Women’s History Month, we are proud to recognize and applaud Kristen and the 2,300+ female teammates at Hendrick Automotive Group. Their hard work and contributions are integral to our success as a company.
Receptionist to general manager in under 20 years. Kristen’s career arc requires a level of work ethic and commitment that some would find far too daunting. For Kristen, however, it always came back to the people around her.
“When you look at Hendrick Automotive, we have a great culture. It’s our people. It’s doing what we say we’re going to do. There’s really a lot of things that stand out that make us what we are.”
Visit Hendrick Careers to learn more about our variety of open positions available nationwide.
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