I'm A Car Chick

Hosted by Shasta Haddock

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Episodes

188

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

I'm A Car Chick podcast is your go-to source for genuine, no-holds-barred conversations in the automotive industry. Hosted by Shasta Haddock—an industry veteran who started as a BDC agent in 2014 and now serves as the BDC Director & COO at Epic BDC—this podcast cuts through the noise to deliver real insights and authentic connections. Whether you're on the dealership floor, behind the scenes in BDC, or supporting the industry as a vendor, you'll find valuable, unfiltered interviews and expert advice to help you thrive. Join us, subscribe, and let's light it up together!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 13, 2026Episode 644 min

The Fox in the Henhouse: Stacy Maxwell on Why Your IT Guy Isn’t Your Cybersecurity Guy

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

June 5, 2026Episode 3632 min

Scaling the Voice of Auto: Yossi Levi on Car Dealership Guy's Evolution, Market Transparency, and Big Moves | NADA 2026

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

June 5, 2026Episode 552 min

Inspiring the Next Generation: Sandy Zannino on Launching 'Ready Set Auto' & Breaking the Industry Mold

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

June 2, 2026Episode 3519 min

Chasing the Dream: Scott Simons on Dealership Ownership, the Commuter Hustle, and NADA 2026

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

May 29, 2026Episode 3420 min

The Streaming Revolution: Owen Moon & Joe Dallas on Connectivity, Networking Secrets, and the Future of DealerStream | NADA 2026

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

May 26, 2026Episode 3322 min

Architecting the Experience: Kelly Reis on Facility Design, Workflow Mapping, and the Retail Shift | NADA 2026

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

May 24, 2026Episode 452 min

Cutting the Fat: Sandy Zannino on Tech Stack Audits, Telecom Savings, and Launching a Podcast

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

May 22, 2026Episode 3221 min

The Flip to the Front End: Kate Beirowski on Vehicle Merchandising, Sales Leadership, and Being Fearless | NADA 2026

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

May 19, 2026Episode 3120 min

Beyond the Numbers: Amy Hitch on F&I Mastery, Leadership Coaching, and Avoiding Burnout

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

May 17, 2026Episode 346 min

Beyond the Hype: April Rain on Fractional Marketing, Vendor Transparency, and the "Magic" of Real ROI

Host Shasta Haddock finally sits down for a long-overdue conversation with April Rain, the "Chief Magic Officer" and Founder of Digital Rain Inc. In this episode, they pull back the curtain on the post-NADA pivot and dive deep into the world of fractional marketing. April discusses why dealerships are often overwhelmed by the "alphabet soup" of vendor reports and how her team acts as the "interpreter" to find true ROI. They explore the myths of the car business, the power of mentorship within Women in Automotive, and why providing actual value is the only way to break through the "slimy car dealer" stereotype. Whether you're a dealer principal or a marketing director, April’s "no-fluff" approach to digital strategy is exactly what the industry needs right now.#ImACarChick #AprilRain #DigitalRainInc #FractionalMarketing #AutomotiveMarketing #DealerStrategy #WomenInAutomotive #MarketingROI