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Lynn Preiss-Kneuper sells cars full-time for Bluebonnet Ford-Lincoln in New Braunfels, where she has worked in the sales department for the past 30 years.
Prior to joining the staff there, Lynn worked in a variety of positions at another dealership for 10 years, working her way up from receptionist through other office roles before eventually landing in sales.
Sales is what she loves most, she says, and that’s why she has stayed with it for so long.
“I enjoy meeting people and making people happy with their car purchases,” she said. “I really love my job, mostly because I love to talk to people.
“You get to know them, and the next thing you know, they are customers for life,” said Lynn, who was born and raised in New Braunfels.
And after 40 years in the car business, Lynn says she has no interest in doing any other kind of work.
She also recommends the auto industry to women who are willing to work hard to succeed, she said.
Here are her views on what it has been like to have such a long a career in the automotive industry:
Q.: What is your current role in the automotive industry?
A.: Salesperson.
Q.: How long have you been working in the industry?
A.: I’ve been in the car business for 40 years.
Q.: Why did you choose the auto industry?
A.: I really didn’t choose this industry. I was right out of high school looking for any job, and of the many applications I submitted, one was with this organization.
Q.: How did you get your first job in the industry?
A.: I applied right out of high school for the receptionist position at the dealership and ended up getting the job. I’ve been in the business ever since.
Q.: Is your current job your first in the industry, or have you had other roles?
A.: No this is not my first job in the industry, I started as a receptionist and moved up from there. I’ve held accounts payable, warranty claims, and finance roles.
Q.: What’s your overall view so far of working in the auto industry? Is it what you imagined it to be?
A.: Being in the auto industry takes hard work, but it is fun. I never imagined I would be here after 40 years and be very successful at it.
Q.: What other auto industry jobs would you be interested in?
A.: None, I love the one I have.
Q.: What is your typical day like at work?
A.: I usually get to work 30-45 minutes early to check out the new inventory. I work on any customer follow-ups or new leads I may have and get ready for my day. Due to having a huge owner bank after 40 years in the business, I get many referrals and repeat customers frequently, so my days are mostly always busy.
Q.: Have you experienced any challenges as a woman working in a generally male-dominated industry?
A.: When I started 40 years ago, I did face some challenges. But now after building relationships for so long, customers trust me, and new customers seem to prefer to work with a female salesperson.
Q.: What advice to you have for other women who might be contemplating careers in the auto industry?
A.: It’s a great career to go into. You have control of your success if you put the work and effort in.
Q.: Would you recommend a position like yours to other women, or what positions might you suggest?
A.: Yes, I would recommend my position to other women because it’s a satisfying job and you can make a living out of it. Helping customers is very rewarding when done right.
Q.: Do you have any other comments you wish to add to your story?
A.: I love everything about my job: customer service, loyalty from my customers, and the stability of the career.
Kahlig Auto Group is based around family, so I was always able to have an equal balance between work and family.
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