With about half of its management team comprised of women, Turan-Foley Motors in Gulfport considers itself a female-forward business.
The company is certainly an example of women making strides in the workplace. A family owned-and-operated business for over 50 years, Turan-Foley has simply made a habit of hiring the best people, according to Vice- President and General Manager Dr. Jared Hegwood.
“Women are more prone towards empathy, a trait that is important when you’re trying to create a sense of trust as a salesperson or a service advisor,” he says. “This is a business built on building and maintaining relationships”
Empathy is also increasingly important in management, he adds.
“I think women, in general, are more likely to balance the needs of their employees with the needs of the business,” Hegwood says. “They understand the need for a work/life balance. That’s a strength, and one I wish more businesses would respect.”
Women comprise about 42% of managers nationwide, according to U.S. News and World Report, and while disparities remain, there are encouraging signs. For instance, we are seeing more females in C-suite positions (23%) and at the head of Fortune 500 companies (53) than ever before.
At Turan-Foley, the women in high-level roles bring a fresh perspective and unique skills to a traditionally male-dominated industry. Here’s what they had to say:
“As women, we seem to be able to relate to both male and female customers more easily whereas sometimes women are not so sure when a man is handing their affairs. I feel it makes a difference to have women in a place of high standing. It shows that the company is not intimidated by a hard-working woman.”
– Ashely Gibson Bosarge, Parts manager, Foley RV Center | Four years with the company
“Being a woman in car sales can be a unique and fulfilling career path. While there definitely are challenges to overcome …, the opportunity to help someone is significant. I can also influence change for other women in this business. With determination and support, women can thrive and lead in the automotive industry. Women today are paving the way forward for future generations of men and women in the automotive world.”
– Crystal Winters, Business development manager | 16 years with the company, started at the reception desk
“Starting out 20-plus years ago, things were much different in this business. It was a male-dominated business, and many of the men were of the opinion that women were only good as secretaries. I think women have become more comfortable in standing their ground and having their opinions heard. The female managers in our business can go toe-to-toe with anyone when necessary, but I also think they can resolve issues with a less aggressive attitude. As the years have passed, the men here have become more open to having a female supervisor, and customers seem to be happy with the female sales team. Overall, as the world evolves, so does our industry — maybe a little slower.”
– Denise L. Brignac, Office manager/human resources | 22.5 years with the company
“When I was operating an independent repair facility, I found that my female clientele grew exponentially because I was able to translate cars to their language, didn’t make them feel inadequate for their lack of knowledge and even taught them minor things they could do on their own to feel more prepared and empowered. I hope I can help inspire other females to get in there and fix the problem.”
– Nicole Robert, Parts department manager | 1 year, 8 months with the company
“Having as many women managers as we do is atypical, but I think it creates a more inclusive and empowering work environment. It can also bring diverse perspectives in decision making. For customers, that means enhanced trust and relatability.”
– Martha Willis, Comptroller | 5.5 years with the company, in the car business since 1981