I'm A Car Chick

From a gritty floor of 150 reps to launching her own empire, **Rachel Blatt**, founder and CEO of **Royalty Logistics**, has been shipping cars like candy bars for 15 years. In this high-energy episode, host **Shasta Haddock** dives into the messy, fast-paced world of automotive logistics. Rachel pulls back the curtain on the massive scale of auto auctions, breaks down the hidden operational costs hitting dealerships amid spiking gas prices, and reveals what *truly* separates a reliable transport partner from a complete nightmare. They also discuss her upcoming speaker slot at the Women in Automotive Conference, her personal brand as the 'Transport Hottie,' and why building a business means learning to be absolutely undeniable.

#AutomotiveLogistics #RachelBlatt #RoyaltyLogistics #CarShipping #WomenInAutomotive #AutoAuctions #DealershipOperations #CarBiz

Dealerships know they should care about cybersecurity—but usually don’t until something breaks. In this episode, host **Shasta Haddock** sits down with **Stacy Maxwell**, Technology Solutions Consultant at **One Step Secure IT**, to unpack the critical mistakes putting dealership data at risk. Stacy shares her journey growing up in her family’s small-town dealership to managing enterprise tech, breaking down why leaning on your day-to-day IT staff for data security is a massive conflict of interest. From the ripple effects of recent major DMS and vendor breaches to real-world social engineering horror stories, this conversation is an urgent wake-up call for dealer principles and GMs. Learn the practical, layered defense steps you need to take today to protect your store’s crown jewels.

#DealershipCybersecurity #StacyMaxwell #OneStepSecureIT #AutomotiveTech #WomenInAutomotive #DataProtection #DealerOperations #CarBiz

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes back the ultimate industry insider to the I'm a Car Chick booth at NADA 2026: Yossi Levi, the creator behind Car Dealership Guy. Following up on their high-traction episode from last year, Yossi shares what it takes to run and scale a massive media property while keeping a tight, hectic schedule. They discuss the importance of getting authentic, diverse voices out to share the good news of the automotive space and building market transparency. Yossi also drops some personal updates, including his recent move to Florida and expanding his family. If you want a quick, high-impact check-in with the man pulling back the curtain on retail automotive, this episode is a must-watch.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #CarDealershipGuy #YossiLevi #AutomotiveMedia #MarketTransparency #DealerInsights #AutoIndustry

In Part 2 of this fantastic conversation, host Shasta Haddock dives deeper with Sandy Zannino, Founder of Innovative Dealer Solutions. Sandy shares the passionate vision behind her upcoming podcast, Ready Set Auto, which aims to bridge the gap between middle/high school youth and the massive, untapped career paths within the automotive sector. From OEM trajectories to floor plan banking at institutions like Chase and Bank of America, Sandy is on a mission to show the next generation that automotive is far more than just selling cars. Plus, the duo shares a laugh over preparing for the upcoming Women in Automotive (WIA) conference in July—gala gowns, pajamas, and all! If you want to hear how industry veterans are giving back and paving the way for future talent, this episode is a breath of fresh air.

#ImACarChick #SandyZannino #ReadySet Auto #AutomotiveCareers #WomenInAutomotive #NextGenTalent #AutoIndustryLeadership #CareerMapping

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes back a familiar face to the I'm a Car Chick booth at NADA 2026: Scott Simons. Since his last appearance, Scott has taken the ultimate leap from operator to owner, acquiring a dealership in North Carolina. Scott gets raw and real about the "shit-eating grin" that comes with finally owning his own store, even while balancing the stress of three loans and a long-distance commute. They discuss the professional power of the Las Vegas networking scene, the reality of "taking it on the chin" during the first year of ownership, and why you should never let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your dreams. If you've ever thought about the path to ownership, Scott’s journey is the inspiration you need.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #ScottSimons #DealershipOwner #AutomotiveEntrepreneur #CarDealerLife #Networking #ChasingDreams

Host Shasta Haddock brings in the reinforcements at NADA 2026 with Owen Moon and Joe Dallas from Dealer Stream. In this high-energy session, the trio discusses the "art of the hustle" at major industry events, revealing why the best networking often happens after hours. Owen and Joe share the vision behind Dealer Stream’s evolution, focusing on how streaming advertising is moving from a trend to a fundamental requirement for modern dealerships. They dive into the importance of educational leadership, consistency in branding, and why the "deep connections" made in Las Vegas are the true ROI of the show. If you want to understand where automotive video and streaming are headed, this double-guest episode is a masterclass.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #DealerStream #OwenMoon #JoeDallas #StreamingAdvertising #AutomotiveMarketing #Networking #DealerTech

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes first-time guest Kelly Reis, Founder of Arris Corp, to the I'm a Car Chick booth at NADA 2026. A self-proclaimed "car chick" who started in retail in 1999, Kelly has transitioned her years of dealership experience into a niche focus on facility design. She breaks down why a beautiful building isn't enough—it has to actually work for your employees and your customers. They discuss the importance of workflow mapping, how facility design directly impacts the customer experience, and the power of networking in the automotive industry. If you’re planning a renovation or a new build, Kelly’s insights on aligning architecture with operations are essential.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #KellyReis #ArrisCorp #FacilityDesign #DealershipOperations #CustomerExperience #WomenInAutomotive

Host Shasta Haddock reunites with long-time friend and automotive industry veteran Sandy Zannino, Founder of Innovative Dealer Solutions. In this episode, they trace their history back to the Digital Dealer conference circuits and dive deep into Sandy's latest venture: launching her very own podcast. Sandy pulls back the curtain on how dealerships are consistently overpaying for their technology stacks, offering a masterclass in vendor management and cost reduction. She reveals how a free tech stack analysis can uncover thousands in hidden fees—particularly in telephony and telecom services—by leveraging enterprise-level pricing. If you want to stop bleeding cash on redundant software and learn how to audit your dealership's infrastructure, Sandy's "no-nonsense" advice is exactly what you need.

#ImACarChick #SandyZannino #InnovativeDealer Solutions #TechStackAudit #TelecomSavings #DealershipOperations #VendorManagement #AutomotivePodcast

Host Shasta Haddock catches up with the insightful and always candid Kate Beirowski, the newly appointed VP of Sales for Dealer Image Pro. Recorded live at NADA 2026, Kate shares her transition from a career in Fixed Ops to leading the front-end charge in vehicle merchandising. They discuss the power of end-to-end photography in the modern dealership, the challenges of stepping into a new leadership role, and why "getting out of your comfort zone" is the best advice for anyone in automotive. From winning "WIA Bingo" to taking on the VP mantle, Kate’s energy and honesty provide a masterclass in professional growth and fearless networking.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #KateBeirowski #DealerImagePro #VehicleMerchandising #SalesLeadership #WomenInAutomotive #DealerTech

Host Shasta Haddock is joined by Amy Hitch, Executive Coach at Ascent Dealer Services, for a powerful conversation on the high-stakes world of automotive finance. Amy shares her journey from banking to mastering the F&I office, detailing why it remains one of the most stressful roles in a dealership. They discuss the critical shift from simply "doing the work" to developing people, the importance of early transparency in the car-buying process, and how to recognize the signs of burnout. Whether you’re an F&I manager looking to level up your leadership or a dealer principal wanting to improve change management, Amy’s expert coaching insights provide a clear roadmap for long-term success.

#ImACarChick #AmyHitch #AscentDealerServices #FandI #AutomotiveFinance #LeadershipCoaching #DealershipSuccess #MentalHealthInAuto