By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Brenda Peon, sales and tech support at CP Carrillo, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know Peon 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?
Brenda: More than seven years. I enjoy the people I work with, along with my wonderful customers, whom I deal with on the daily.
SN: What is the most challenging part of running your business or job?
BP: The most challenging part would be the fact that I am female and when I get a customer call, sometimes they don't think I know the answer or I can help them out. Most of the time, I am able to help the customer out.
SN: What are three qualities that got you to where you are today?
BP: Being attentive, having a great work ethic and always being enthusiastic about my job and what I do. These qualities have benefited me by gaining more knowledge about what I sell and do here at CP Carrillo. I have also attained the trust of my coworkers and especially my customers since I am known to be reliable and attentive.
SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
BP: The biggest challenge is knowing that I will get that call one day and the customer will ask to speak to a male. I have had that happen before and it was sad at first, but it also makes me stronger and more willing to learn to be more knowledgeable and confident in what I do. As far as accomplishments, I have won awards in the past at car shows for displaying a beautiful modified vehicle that I put work into. I have also grown with my company as an asset to them and they are happy to have me.
SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
BP: Of course, I have to give a shout-out to my boss Cindy. She's super confident in what she does and has always given me the best advice ever to stay confident and not to hesitate ever. She's definitely helped me grow here at CP Carrillo.
SN: What is the best career advice you have received?
BP: Don't second-guess. If you feel it in your gut, then go with it. Most of the time, that is the correct answer.
SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
BP: I had wanted to work in the automotive industry in my early 30s. I feel I became more confident in myself then, past my party-hardy 20s, when nothing really was taken seriously. What keeps me here are the people I work with and the job I do. I love working on custom piston builds for my customers.
SN: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
BP: For this, I would say my dad. He always worked hard, and I really wish he was here today to see how much I have grown. He'd for sure be super proud.
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.
