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

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

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

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

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

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