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NCM Event Conversations feat. WOCAN

NCM Event Conversations feat. WOCAN

Car Guy Coffee May 13, 2026 15 min
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About this episode

Women of Color Automotive Network (WOCAN) representatives and members reflect on the NCM client and friends event in Kansas City, describing it as close-knit, collaborative, and welcoming. They share how industry education—like video training—creates takeaways with immediate results, and how leadership “pass the baton” transitions keep egos and titles out of the way. Emotional stories highlight scholarships, including David Cain, and the drive to bring lessons back to dealerships.

Topics: wocan leadership transition women of color in automotive industry education networking community scholarships video training inclusive mission
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Hello and welcome to the CarGuy Coffee Podcast. You are listening to the interbrews at the NCM
client and friends event. Enjoy these conversations. Let's brew! What's going on CarGuy's and CarGuy's?
It's Lou Ramirez the CarGuy and we are having fun out here inside of Kansas City and I have these
incredible lovely ladies representing Wokan. Wokan. That's right. I love it. I love their energy.
We have Mabel. We have Jessica. And we have Michelle. Welcome to the party ladies.
Excited that you're here. Pumped up to have a brew with you. Now a couple of you. This is your
first time on the show. Mabel, you are a rock star. You are a vet. That's right. But you are at this
incredible event. First time that it's been in Kansas City. What is your feelings and thoughts
on being part of this event with NCM? I guess I'll start first because I got the mic. It's amazing
because I love the fact that it's very close-knit and that you get to talk to everyone and everyone's
it's just very collaborative. You don't feel stuffy. like, ah, excuse me, can I?
And it's everyone is just smiles and I like that because when you're comfortable in your
surroundings that's when ideas come to fruition. So I love it. How about you? What about you?
So the most exciting part for me is I was not born into the car world. So I have learned so much.
The friend in the title of this event is exactly what it is. So friendly. Everyone is so welcoming.
And I'm just excited. I came off the hive name ad last week coming here. It has been,
it's wonderful. I'm just honored to be here in the room with people with a wealth of information
and willing to share. So what about yourself? What I love about it is that you're starting to see
other companies that you did not see a name ad or you don't see a NAVA. I am a car person. I come
from the Honda world. So for me, so seeing all these new people and these new ideas that you can
actually take to the dealership makes it all worthwhile. Absolutely. And there is such a contrast
coming from the name ad community jumping out here still inside of an intimate setting. There's
different innovations that are between all of the groups. But at the end of the day, you're at
the places where people are advancing the industry. You are finding yourself at the tables with those
that are trying to take it to the next level and we love it. One of the simple things that I do love
about this event that I recognize the first time we went to one is these name badges. You see the
name badges, everybody. You see that first name where you can read it. Oh my God. It's very loud.
It's easy for you to see, right? And because we're car people, we tend to forget people's names. So
now I'm like, Oh, hey, Jane. Nice. Oh my God. It's been so long since I've spoken to you. Meanwhile,
I'm like, I have no idea who you are. But I wanted to say something. There's this thing in the car
business, like the best time to sell a car is after you sold a car. So I feel like coming here
right after name ad, we're continuing that high of open mindedness and we're excited. And it gives
people that new kind of fresh blood. If you've been here for a while. Yes. And it is, it is again,
a great flow to go through when you come from one event. And then you do go almost directly
into another one. We're not too far removed from it. And I'm still on the high from name ad.
Don't get me wrong. That was a great time, great party, all that. It was fun, especially being
that was our first time being part of it. So that was our very first one. Yes. Well, it's
first time for everything. And it's not going to be your last. Oh, definitely. We're part of the
family now, right? Yes, you are just like being part of the family here. Are you all being part
of this event meeting and seeing new people? What are one of the key things that you've seen
and have been most impressed about this event so far? I'll kick it to you, Jess.
So I was just saying this morning, the Russ. Yes. So this guy had so much energy. He was on the stage
and he was teaching us about video and he had you engaged the entire time. I'm like, this guy has a
gift. I'm going to follow him. And this isn't just about cars. This whatever your business is,
he taught you something that you can take home and get immediate results right away. So he again
had me pumped and I love the educational piece and just learning, learning, learning, because
that's what I wake up every day. It's to learn something new. Heck yeah. What about you, Michelle?
What are you taking away? Same thing. It's funny. You see all these companies that come in. They
talk about speed on your website, things that you kind of get on the general manager of my store,
on charge of sales, service, and then you sit here and you start looking at all the new ideas
and stuff that they bring to your BDC for yourselves people and you go, wait a minute.
I haven't done that. Let me bring that to my store. Beautiful. I gotta ask, what part of New York you're from?
Uptown Manhattan. Come on. Let's go. New York's in the house, everybody. Love it. You make me feel
at home over here. I feel like I'm talking to a cousin. I love it. But we are family
and excited about that. Now, there is a lot of stuff that is brewing inside of the industry.
Being able to see somebody like a Russ Flips whips can create an entire brand,
create a following, and then eventually be inside of the room with some incredible people,
leaders in the industry telling them how to do things. What does it feel like for you to be able
to come be at a place where you get the chance to contribute at whatever measure you can? What is it
like being able to know that we can do anything if we just kind of lean into it in this incredible
industry? I'll kick that right to you, Jess. Yeah, listen. And selfishly, I'm going to give a plug
here that I'm also here to tell the World Can story. Tell it. And it's not about women of color
and automotive network. It's about everyone. It's about all women. people
because as women of color and automotive, we can't do it without you. So I'm excited to be able to
share that information here. And again, everyone has been so supportive, so embracing of the message
to just be able to say if women of color are going to impact the industry, we need to all work
together. So that's really another part of this that I'm just super excited about.
Yeah, raising awareness about Wokan is huge. And this is that's the first time we ever got on a
microphone together, right? With the whole Wokan crew. I think that we were one of the first
interviews. We were so proud to do that. It was digital dealer. Yeah, it was. I remember that
because I was there. But no, just to piggyback on what Jess said, it's really important to get that
word out. And I can't tell you how many people have looked at my name tag and then see Wokan.
They're like, Oh my God, you guys are doing amazing. And I'm like, how can you know about us?
I'm like, who me? You know us. And it's hearing from everyone that we've spoken to how impressed
they are with Wokan and how they want to support us. It just it makes me want to cry. But I've
done my eyeliner, so I'm not going to do that today. I know I'm like, you know what, I'm going to
save that. I'm going to pin that for later. But it's just amazing because we want to make a path
for women. So when we pass on the baton, it's a little easier for them because we cannot lose
strong women in this industry. We need them. I love that you said pass on the baton because
you all are literally just completing that first pass of the baton. And this is where a lot of
movements or a lot of just our country itself learning how to pass the baton inside of a
free election society. Being able to pass the baton inside of Wokan was something that some
people only knew a few faces for a little while, right? You guys have been incredibly good about
putting the stories of so many people out there getting the right speakers. But there could be
a crumble if there is a pass on and we have the vice president in the house, everybody, right?
And this transition, it seems smooth. It seemed flowing. You all really led the way
in being able to show how that pass of the baton is. How has it been for everybody in the
organization as they've seen this pass of the baton happen, leadership? I'll start because
Jessica and I are both on the executive committee. She is our newly-raised president. I'm the social
chair. At first, I'm like, I do social media, right? How hard is it? And I'm like, no, wait,
this is a bigger, voice and this is a collective voice. And I don't know if you guys
I know, I've noticed there's a lot more branding on Wokan and there's a lot more thought into it
because I'm treating it as this is my baby, family, but these women are my sisters.
Yes, they are. So I need to make sure that my sisters are seen, heard,
and their voices are also amplified. And I can't wait for this new generation of Wokan because
our founders will always be our founders and they are always there, they're a rock. But it's
sometimes you wear the same shirt over and over again, but it's not until you see it on someone
else or you're like, oh my God, that shirt looks good. And that's how I feel about Wokan. We're
always going to be there and we are celebrating our fifth year this year, but we just, we got to
keep shining. So I just love it. Heck yeah. And the only thing I'll add to that is we know when
you get a bunch of women together sometimes things get a little catty. These are women that I just
I don't know what you're talking about. I just the biggest takeaway for me is that
we put egos aside. We put titles aside. We have a job to do and everybody rolls up their sleeves
and does the work. What needs to be done. And that's it. Here's the work. Everybody's all in,
all hands on deck. And that's how we move. And I think that's really has been the magic in this
transition. And that's what we want to continue in terms of the culture of Wokan moving forward.
Love it. Love it. Yeah, from your vantage point. So I am a second year Wokan member and I have to
say being in this auto industry, I've been in since 2010. So you get acclimated with the guys
and everything that happens. It's a boys club really when you come look at it. And when I found
Wokan and I sat there on my first meeting, I literally cried because it was like you found
something within yourself and women you can relate to and women that have the same title that you
can talk about things that in the struggles that we face in this industry. So I have to say I'm
very honored to be part of this. And we're honored to be a part of this interview to give her
microphone. She said, well, they said they weren't going to cry. They get going over here. Well,
I am. Let me tell you, I am so honored. And even this year when we went, it was flawless. It was
great. And you are proud to be a woman in the auto industry. But there's very few. Mostly you'll
find BDC, but when you start looking at tags, GM's like myself, but you find finance women and then
how we escalate in this business and what it took for us to get there. So it is, it is an honor to
be in this organization. It's an honor to watch it and to see people be bold in it. Ladies, you run
commerce, whether people realize that honor that are recognized or not, you all are the
boss of commerce in every facet of the game. And we definitely love when you get the chance
to get the microphone when you get the chance to leave the room. And I love what you said on how
it was flawless this time. And you guys did it at a different level. It was a whole other level
this time. Yeah, it was sold out. There was but there was great food. There was great connections.
He was great speaking. You guys really pulled some big dogs out for this particular run. Some
officials and but I love right now just even standing here looking at you all all indifferent.
I love your sequence here. You guys are rainbowed out. I love it, right? And still being loud about
Wokane because a lot of times they only recognize you with the black and the gold, right? And the
black and the yellow in and that's the flow. So that's all you guys ever had to wear. But no,
you are out here representing all the great colors of this industry, all the great voices of this
industry. And we definitely are so thankful that your Bruin solutions in the industry car gals
are leading the way. And we love that your voice is getting louder and louder. But nobody does it
like Wokane, you started something great, not just for women of color in automotive, but for women
in automotive to get grab their microphone, take their stage, take their place inside of this industry
and represent not for the sake of just putting our brand out there or just selling more cars,
but for the sake of letting other people know this is a great industry that you can grow in,
you can find community in. We were near tears over here talking about family experiences, right?
But this is an awesome opportunity and the future is great knowing that there's leaders like you
that are here doing what it is that you're doing for the industry. We honor you so very much.
Is there anything that you all want to say reaching out to the NCM crowd, to David Cain,
to everybody that's putting on this event? They're making sure memories are happening
and we're so thankful that they're so welcoming to you all.
Close us out. Okay, we'll just pass it down. No, I'm just honored to be here. I've heard of MCM,
I've always wanted to attend and it's either the dealership I was at didn't really want to send me
because that's what happens to a lot of women in this industry or finances or whatever the case
may be, right? Anytime I wanted to go and attend an NCM event, I just couldn't. And I do remember I
did get a David Cain scholarship once and I was so excited. And my manager at the time said,
Oh, there's no way you're going, I'm not sending you. And I'm like, but it's paid for. And yeah,
and he wouldn't let me go and I had to give up my scholarship. And when I tell you I cried,
because I'm like, how am I going to be heard? This is ridiculous. And so being here being
with my sisters and just seeing everyone, listen, I'm feeling I'm getting the goosebumps.
Getting all the feels. I'm just grateful and honored, like I said, to be in a room with
great people hearing great stories. I love love stories and just sharing what their story is
and how long they've been in the industry and how far they've come. So just honored and grateful
for the opportunity to be here. Okay. What about you, New York? So I got my scholarship through
Vulcan. And I am very grateful for it. I come from a wonderful dealership. My owner actually
encourages us all of this. So for me, it's an honor to be here because now I take the knowledge
from here and I apply to our store. That's why as a small, and we're a mom and pop store, we're in
the middle of nowhere. So for us to be able to sell 250 cars a month, it's a lot. Yes, it is. And
you take the knowledge from here, you take everything that you learn from here and you apply
at your store. Love it. Love it. Thank you. Thank you so much. Let's continue to do that. One thing
that we want to make sure that everybody takes with them anytime that you're around us, it's to
learn how to drop those f bombs to make sure that we do forgive. We do focus and fly right. The
automotive is definitely used to a certain type of f bombs. But these are the ones that don't offend
the mamas, right? And we want to make sure that we do keep growing with each and every one of you.
You all know the moves. You've seen the you've seen them. We're going to help you out real fast.
Hold on. We're going to forget focus and fly. Say it loud and proud for the camera on 31
23 forget it. Focus, fly and keep growing, keep growing. Car guys and car guys,
you've been brewing solutions on the Car Guy Coffee podcast. We have the Wokang crew inside
of the house today and excited that they're brewing solutions with each and every one of us
contributing to this great event. We have Mabel, Jessica and Michelle representing. And once again,
ladies, I'll let you finish it off with the Who Are We? We are Wokang. That's right. We out.

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