Inside Story: Christina Horstman

When people think about car dealers, they think of a roomful of men. We sat down with Cranberry sales manager Christina Horstman to see how times have changed, and what it’s like working at CarShop.

How did you get into this business?

Christina: I had a good friend of mine who I worked with at different jobs who told me about CarShop. He said, “You’ve been looking for a home and not just a job. I think this is it.” And I came in and did an interview. I told them I didn’t even really like cars or know anything about them. I just liked people. And they said, “We hire the heart and train the rest.” I loved that. And so I was in. 

What had you been doing previously, by the way?

Christina: I was a high school teacher and I had a business rebuilding pipe organs for churches. So not exactly the car business, no. 

You know all the negative stereotypes of car dealers. Did that give you any hesitation?

Christina: There are still stone–age places out there, but I’m happy to say CarShop has never been one  of them. When I was a newbie car salesman, on my days off, I would go to other car dealerships and pretend to be a buyer, just to see what the process was like. And I couldn’t believe it. “You can’t test a car without your husband.” I got that. Or, “You can’t test drive without a credit check.” Or if I got to test drive, “How much money do you make and when can your husband come and co–sign?” I had people telling me this is the car that you qualify for, based on their observations alone, without even doing a credit check. A CarShop is so vastly different from that. That’s why customers who buy from us come back to us. It’s just that it’s such a stress–free environment. 

What is it about CarShop that makes it so different?

Christina: We genuinely do the best job for our customers. Other dealers, they need to sell one line of cars, and they’re paid by the profit they make, and managers push salespeople to sell certain cars regardless of the customer need. There’s no way I would be able to do any of that, and none of it happens at CarShop. We have all makes and models, we’re not paid on the usual commission structure, we guide, we don’t sell. And we sleep well at night. 

What’s it like being a woman in what everyone thinks is a male–dominated profession?

Christina: I've received a lot of positive feedback from customers, both men and women, who think that I might have a different viewpoint, or I might have a different approach, or I would understand things a little bit better. Some people also relate to me because I’m short — 4 foot 11. A lot of women say things like, “Well, you’d understand, I can’t drive a Chevy Suburban. I just don’t fit in something that big.”

What’s the most enjoyable part about working at CarShop?

Christina: CarShop is a super–supportive environment. As far as my interactions with my co–workers, I love it. All the guys that I work with are my brothers — as a manager these days, sometimes I’m like their mom, — but most of the time, I’m just one of the guys. So that part I really like. 

Interested in joining the team? CarShop is looking for sales consultants and service technicians, among other positions. Learn more about CarShop careers.