Spotlight on Natasha Akhavan: The sector’s dynamism, an attribute
Natasha Akhavan, Director of Sales at A.B. Warehouse, has been a member of the AIA Canada Quebec Division Committee for almost two years. She gives us a brief outline of her professional background and what makes the auto care sector a dynamic industry.
Natasha Akhavan, Director of Sales, A.B. Warehouse
Did you know you wanted to work in the automotive aftermarket?
I moved from fast food management to banking at the start of my career, never dreaming that I would end up in the auto care sector. The prospects for growth and opportunities provided by this sector persuaded me to make a complete investment in it. I’m a challenge taker at heart, and I was lucky to have mentors who were equally passionate about what they did. In our industry, there are endless opportunities for a career in sales!
How long have you worked in the automotive industry?
I spent many weeks sanding cars with my painter spouse! But my actual career start came when I worked at my father-in-law’s body shop in Saint-Laurent, where I oversaw bookkeeping. I developed a strong foundation in painting and bodywork there. Taking advantage of this and my love of sales, I joined A.B. Warehouse in 2014. I was able to go from clerk to special orders representative to paint representative and finally sales manager because of my tenacity and drive to do better.
What advice would you give to those young students or to anyone who is thinking of transitioning into the automotive aftermarket industry?
Bodywork is an art form that demands a great deal of skill and enthusiasm. Follow your passion and don’t let anything stop you. Each “no” represents a doorway that is hidden. The industry provides a limitless array of options. Take advantage of possibilities for continuing education to hone your skills and expand your career options in the industry.
What surprised you most about joining the industry and what are the main challenges?
The hardest thing in the sector is having to quickly adjust to changes in a constantly shifting environment. Since technology is developing quickly, learning must be ongoing. This poses a number of challenges for us in terms of giving our clients the proper information and appropriate help and advice.
Labour issues are especially prevalent right now. Congratulations to the workshop owners that give their all and make a difference for both their clients and staff. The numbers speak for themselves: 30 per cent of collision repairers and painters will retire in less than ten years. The situation is not going to get better on its own. As an industry, we will need to take the lead in implementing initiatives to address this labour challenge.
Have you had an industry mentor? If so, who and why?
I’ve always been quite determined and have a strong desire to learn new things. I was the only female paint representative in the Quebec paint sector at the time, despite the fact that many women work as body shop painters. I am grateful to Patrick Bertrand, my mentor, for continuously providing me with possibilities. I think highly of him since he is a really human individual. He has the ability to inspire people and motivate them to put forth their best effort. He imparted and shared a lot of his knowledge with me right away. He is always there to support me in making wise and calculated judgments as I embark on new experiences. I had the fortunate opportunity to have excellent coaches all around me, who greatly helped my career.
About the campaign I am AIA
I am AIA aims to raise the profile of auto care industry professionals in Canada with the goal of humanizing our industry and showcasing members of AIA Canada. If you are interested in participating in sharing your story through this campaign, we encourage you to apply.