By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Amy Beck, owner of Hahn Auto Restoration, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know Beck in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: How many years have you been with your current company and what do you enjoy most about working there?
Amy Beck: I have been with Hahn Auto Restoration for 12 years. I love the men I work with. They have become my family. When you think about going to work, sometimes you dread it, but many times I'm thinking about telling someone a funny thing that happened on the weekend or checking in with someone who I know was going to do something fun. It's the people.
SN: What is the most challenging part of running your business or job?
AB: Waiting. The process of restoring a car is long. Parts can be on back order. I hate to hear that word. I'm a microwave, drive-thru, two-day shipping kind of person. Restoration is a beautiful process that takes time. I'm not as patient as I need to be.
SN: How many years have you been in the industry and what was your first industry job?
AB: For 12 years, this is my first job in the industry. But if you look at family photos, you will see many photos of me and a car. My dad restored cars since I was little. My sister and I grew up around it. We had our favorite cars and colors at a young age. And of course, we passed that on to our kids, who had their favorites picked out before they could drive.
SN: What are three qualities that got you to where you are today?
AB: I'm a perfectionist. It's just in me. It's great for producing a great product, but difficult if you are a loved one of mine. I love organization. Everything has a place and should be neat and tidy. It helps at a restoration shop, as there are so many parts for each car. This translates to other areas of business, too, like your finances or procedures. Lastly, I'd say I have a love for people. This helps with employees and customers. Each car represents a person and their story of why they are restoring the car. Many customers have become part of our family.
SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
AB: My biggest challenge is men realizing I own the business. I'm asked often for the person in charge, the man he should talk to or anyone else other than me (the assumed secretary). When I am at a car show with my husband, that's usually the hardest time to talk to someone, as they only want to talk to my husband. My biggest accomplishment so far would be the transition from working at the shop to owning the shop; from my dad making decisions to me making the decisions. Transitions are hard. But I moved the shop to a larger space, created a build-out in that space, bought a new spray booth and had it installed, planned a two-day open house and contracted for a new website. All in the same year.
SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
AB: My first teacher in this industry was my dad. He taught me how to look at a car for what's right and what's wrong. Now my shop operation director is my right-hand man. He has been in the industry for years, fabricating, doing bodywork and painting.
SN: What is the best career advice you have received?
AB: I have a business coach who has helped me process and move through all the changes. She has told me analogies and stories that have helped. One was about a squirrel. Squirrels gather nuts all day long and bury them, that is just what they do. Sometimes, we need to look at a situation as squirrels. It's much like the "let-them" concept. I need not to be shaken. I need to keep my peace. Squirrels will be squirrels and do what they do. I can keep my peace. I can.
SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
AB: No. It was my dad's career, not mine. I found myself at the point of needing something part-time and my dad needed someone. Now I wouldn't trade my job for anything. I love the people, I love the cars, I love the customers and I even love the smells in the shop that remind me of my dad.
SN: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
AB: My dad.
Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website.
