Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Karvunidis.
Jenna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first and middle name literally start with “kar” and as it happens, I was born into the car business and entered it myself as soon as I could work. At the age of 17, I heard there was an opening at a local dealership for an evening receptionist. I was probably the only girl in class who thought cars were captivating, so talked my way into the job.
I left home at 17 as well, but continued to work as I earned my Bachelor of Science degree on scholarship at the University of Evansville in Indiana. It was a small, Methodist university – an (at the time) dry campus that was 70% female and had a curfew of 11:00 PM. I may have been on my own at an early age, but they certainly had enough rules to keep me in line there!
I’ve walked away from the car world several times, to either study abroad or work in other industries. For example, when I moved to Chicago after graduation, I worked for a national commercial real estate company for a few years, where I gained business knowledge (and became a Cubs fan). I also had a writing gig with ChicagoNow, which is a project of the Chicago Tribune.
I met my husband at a car dealership – another story for another time – and eventually we moved to Pasadena with our family in 2015.
In Los Angeles, I was quickly recruited to work for a car buying service, where I was introduced to the concept of auto brokering. I had instant success and forged some great relationships, but I saw where improvements could be made – simplifying paperwork, reducing overhead, exploiting manufacturer rebates etc. – and decided to start my own company.
Siren Auto Broker launched in July 2017.
I’ve read that a lot of women have run for office since 2016, but I felt my contribution to this brave new world would be starting a company, something that is done 95% of the time by men. I have three daughters and I want them to have that example of starting something, seeing it through and leading without it ever being a big deal what gender the person is doing it. I want their assumption to be, “Of course the person who started a company in the auto field was a woman. Why wouldn’t it be?”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest challenge was figuring out the logistics: How to go from an idea in my mind to a furnished office space conducting legal business.
There was no road map for me. I had tasked myself with forming a brick-and-mortar company that required a professional license from the DMV. The first time I looked at the stack of paperwork, I felt proud I had even figured out what I needed to print.
Each step brought some new challenge – going to City Hall to find out if the cool retail space I wanted would satisfy the zoning requirement for a commercial office, or where to take the fingerprints and background check required to file a “Doing Business As” with the county. They should make a reality TV show challenge called, “Start A Car Business”. It’s ironic that it took me about 9 months because it was every bit as exciting and painful as having a baby.
It did make it that much sweeter to look around my pretty office and know how much sweat and nerves went into getting it. And that was just Day 1.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Siren Auto Broker is an A to Z, full service car buying company. We handle new and used cars, leasing, financing, cash purchases and trade-ins. When a client comes to us, they can expect an insider price, a total of 25 minutes in the office to sign paperwork and literal red carpet treatment (we have a red carpet and a step-and-repeat for photo ops).
Siren Auto Broker is the only female-owned and operated car buying service in Pasadena. We have plenty of male clients, but the majority are women.
I’ve been a woman by myself buying a car and the last thing I needed was some guy asking where my husband is or pushing me into something I didn’t want. I went to look a white SUV once and spent two hours being convinced to buy a blue sedan. Women are just people who deserve to feel heard and empowered as much as anyone else. You will get what you want at Siren Auto Broker.
What were you like growing up?
Gosh, who can answer this themselves? I was really into art, video games and cheerleading but that was the 90’s when you could be all those things at once and no one from the internet came along and told you to play in traffic. I really worry about how anyone is supposed to have a childhood now. My daughters are into art and video games now, but I’m like, “DO NOT OPEN CHAT”.
Contact Info:
- Address: Siren Auto Broker
191 N. Hill Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106 - Website: www.sirenautobroker.com
- Phone: 626-696-9684
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sirenautobroker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SirenAuto/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sirenautobroker
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/siren-auto-broker-pasadena
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