6 minute read
Empowered Women Empower Women
Sseeing that women tend to be in the minority in leadership roles, let alone in the auto industry itself, Pfenninger herself feels empowered serving as the partner and Human Resources Coordinator for The Mattiacio Group, who now operates nine franchised ziebart locations – and counting – in New York state.
“I’m so proud to work for a company that sees the value in promoting women like myself to leadership roles,” said Pfenninger. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the women who have helped guide and support me along the way. Women mentors are everything, especially when you work in an industry where female role models can be hard to find. I live by the phrase ‘empowered women empower women,’ so I’m honored to now be in a position where I can inspire and influence other women and prove that there is a place for women in this industry.”
While some women may feel intimidated to work in a male-dominated sector such as the auto industry, Pfenninger says it only amplifies her motivation to continue learning and growing with the company. Though there was once a fear she wouldn’t be taken seriously in her role, Pfenninger chose to channel that insecurity and turn it into a deep focus on educating herself on anything and everything in the industry. Now, more than a decade later with Ziebart, she sees herself as an industry expert.
“When it comes to entering a new role or stepping outside your comfort zone, I’ve always found that knowledge is power, and taking the time to observe and learn can really help boost your confidence,” said Pfenninger. “As you continue to grow within a company, it’s equally important to never stop that learning process. Especially when we’re talking about finding success in a male-dominated industry, women need to constantly advocate for themselves and step outside of that comfort zone by taking advantage of every opportunity that heads their way.”
Despite her father being a part of the Ziebart franchise since the 80’s, Pfenninger never anticipated getting involved in the car business. Growing up, she always had a passion for the health and wellness space and began pursuing her degree in nursing. However, after holding various part-time jobs throughout college, she asked her father if he had any opportunities at his Ziebart franchise. Once she agreed to a position in customer service, she fell in love with the brand and never looked back.
“It still blows my mind how quickly I fell in love with Ziebart, but I guess you could say I came here for the opportunity to work with my family, and I stayed because of everything else Ziebart stands for and has to offer,” said Pfenninger. “I watched my dad build this empire and grow his business. Ziebart has always been a part of our family; it’s in our DNA. And working right alongside my dad and brothers makes this more than just a job – it’s a lifestyle.”
Pfenninger’s worked in various roles within The Mattiacio Group and Ziebart over the last 12 years, before finding her home in the HR department. She’s now taken her career full-circle, dedicating a lot of her focus toward onboarding new employees, and continuing the company’s missions and values with a goal of incorporating corporate health and wellness programs, embracing the mantra “chase your health, not your wealth.”
“We all know the importance of a worklife balance, but it’s impossible to find that balance if your health isn’t in check first,” said Pfenninger. “You need to make sure you’re carving out time to take care of yourself mentally and physically so that you can be present when it counts the most. In fact, you’ll find you’re more productive when you’re healthy because your mind and body have so much more energy so that you can accomplish that lengthy to-do list.”
It’s not just the health of the group’s more than 200 employees that Pfenninger is prioritizing in her role as HR Coordinator, but also the health of the company’s culture, which at its core is entirely based around family. In fact, The Mattiacio Group takes the phrase “the family business” to heart – not only does Pfenninger work with her father, but also alongside her brothers, and even her husband. The whole Mattiacio family is very involved with the brand, and that’s something that doesn’t go unnoticed amongst their employees.
“Anyone coming into our Ziebart franchise can see that we’re a close-knit family that’s dedicated to this business and our employees,” said Pfenninger. “Ziebart is our livelihood, and we bring a more intimate family business approach to our company’s culture, and everyone knows we’re never more than just a phone call away.”
Though Tony Mattiacio never pressured any of his children to join him when he started his Ziebart franchise more than 30 years ago, they each naturally found their own place under the Ziebart umbrella.
“What makes Ziebart special is its rich history of bringing families together in a work environment; the brand lives and breathes that family business lifestyle,” said Tony Mattiacio, President and CEO of The Mattiacio Group. “Even going to the
very top, the President and CEO of Ziebart took over the company once his father retired last year. Throughout the brand, so many franchise locations have been passed down through generations. I never expected any of my kids to join me on this franchise journey with Ziebart, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Meghan Pfenninger
About Ziebart
Founded in 1959, Ziebart international Corporation is the worldwide leader in premium automotive appearance and protection services that extend the life of vehicles. Ziebart operates over 400 locations, with 1,300 service centers, in 37 countries. Ziebart continues to grow and offers domestic and international franchising opportunities, a best-inclass investment for qualified prospects. For more information about Ziebart including franchise opportunities, please visit www.ziebart.com.
