Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Warner.
Hi Robin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had a passion for cars. When I was young, I loved to go to the dealers with my parents and be involved in the process of buying their new cars. However, this was not a career path I ever thought was possible for me. I went to college at the University of California, Irvine and after I graduated toyed with going into campaign finance and worked for then-Governor Gray Davis and then Senator Barbara Boxer for a year or two.
I then decided to leave my political career behind and set out to become a lawyer and attended Pepperdine Law School. During the time that I was getting educated, I had a close friend who had started a company that was a concierge car buying service and additionally a concierge service where people could pay to have their cars serviced, have body work done, customizations, get your car detailed. Anything and Everything car related was handled for you. So while I was in college and law school, I would come home on weekends or on breaks and during summer help my friend with his business any chance I got. I loved it! Driving all the different cars and learning about them all was so interesting to me. I was not thrilled with becoming a lawyer so this option became more and more intriguing to me. I realized once I graduated law school that this was what I wanted to do. I had learned so much about the car business over the years helping my friend and having graduated law school, I certainly had learned the skills for negotiating and starting and running a business. I felt confident I could start my own. In April of 2000 Ignition Auto Consulting, LLC was born. My business was built on word of mouth. I did not advertise and still don’t. I did make some relationships while working for my friend so that helped point me in the right direction. I started cold calling business managers all over town and asked them if I could take them to lunch. Most were impressed with my perseverance, entrepreneurial spirit, tenacity, and integrity and many agreed to give me a chance!!
Today, I deal with a now large network of business managers whom most I have had relationships with for more than 20 years. My clientele is largely composed of entertainment industry clients, including many A-listers but definitely not exclusively. I have clients who are doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, business executives, dog trainers, assistants, physical trainers, artists, stay-at-home moms, manicurists, hairdressers, chefs, baseball coaches, tennis instructors… You name it! It was not easy to grow and sustain a successful business for more than 22 years. A lot of blood, sweat and tears for sure! Firstly, being a female in the auto industry was a challenge. Especially 22 years ago there were NO females in the car business. It was definitely a boys club. However, I soon realized that being female was actually to my benefit. Many female clients sought me out bc there was an instant element of trust and they liked not only dealing with a female but my law background. I found that people were sick of playing games that dealers played and their lack of integrity. I was a welcomed force to many. I am honest and tell it exactly like it is. No sugar coating, no games. Not only that but I save people a lot of time. Most have had the experience of sitting in a dealer for hours and hours only to walk out with nothing. I remove that whole waste of time. I do everything for you! I have made relationships that have lasted the test of time. Not only my now 1000’s of clients but also I have some wonderful dealers who I work with who are some of my dear friends.
As a broker, you have to finesse both sides of the relationship. My job is to find my clients the best deals but also to provide the highest level of customer service. If you don’t also create good relationships on the dealer side, this would be very challenging. We help each other! I must also credit my husband of 19 years Evan Warner who is a talent agent/partner at WME Agency for the last 24 years. He has been a tremendous referral source to me and is my biggest fan. We are known as the dynamic duo. “He sells stars and she sells cars” LOL My business will always be my first baby even though I have 2 kids Brandon, 16 and Addison, 12 and 2 dogs Bentley and E-po (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) I have created a balance of work and parenthood over the years while juggling running a thriving business and helping kids around. Thank god for the invention of an IPHONE because I can work anywhere, I am not chained to a desk.
Boundaries and balance are the keys to success for me. Not always an easy task. You aren’t always going to please everyone. I am proud of the success of Ignition Auto Consulting. I love my clients. They are part of a club or a community. If you have an Ignition Auto license plate frame and you see another, many have expressed to me that they roll down their window and say “beep beep – hi – I got my car from Robin too!” LOL Makes me so proud!
In my spare time, I love to cook and bake! I find it relaxing. My kids and husband who lovingly call me mama bear think I should open “MAMA BEAR BAKERY.” Who knows, maybe that will be my next endeavor!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was challenging to break through the stereotypical barriers of what people consider car dealers. I did not want to be thought of as some sleezy salesperson who is dishonest and takes advantage of people. By developing personal relationships with people they quickly learned that was definitely NOT who I am. Also being a mom and owning a business comes with challenges – as I previously mentioned creating boundaries and balance was the key. Lastly, being a female in a male-dominated industry. You definitely have to work harder to prove yourself. But now it’s like a well-oiled shipped. No one even thinks about it. We’ve come a long way!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Time for a new car? Don’t have the time or patience to shop? Or just don’t want the hassle? There are many reasons why you should use Ignition Auto Consulting.
1. With over 25 years of experience in the auto industry I know how to get the best price for your next vehicle lease or purchase.
2. I negotiate the best possible financing or lease rates.
3. I have access to all makes and models of cars and trucks.
4. I will save you valuable time by handling all aspects of the lease or purchase including reviewing the paperwork and the delivery.
5. There is no cost to you. Dealerships benefit when they get a broker’s business. Brokers bring large volumes of business to dealers without the expense that the sales staff creates. In addition, the volume from a broker increases the allocation of vehicles from the manufacturer. Resulting in more inventory for the dealer to sell.
So why spend your time running around town for the best deal. One phone call will assure that you will not be pressured. You will not need to make offers and wait for an answer. You will just get the best deal you ever got on a new car. My goal is to provide you with the best service available, an almost lost art in this rapidly changing world. I want you to recommend me to your friends and family with confidence that they will receive the same service.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
While the definition of success is very subjective, for me success has been reaching both small and large milestones toward my goals. Fulfilling my role as a successful entrepreneur/businesswoman – it’s not necessarily a destination but more of a journey that helps develop the skills one needs to thrive. There is satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best you are capable of becoming! I try to be a leader in my community and lead by example. Most importantly, I strive to be the best mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend I can be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ignitionauto.com
- Instagram: ignition_auto_consulting
- Facebook: Ignition Auto Consulting, LLC
- Twitter: @ignitionauto
