7 minute read
Following a family legacy, Ashley is forging her own path built on passion, trust and gratitude: 19 questions with Ashley Wolfe
Getting to know Ashley Wolfe, a fourth generation business owner—what we were thinking of introducing her as originally— was so inspiring. But that intro doesn’t seem enough anymore; aside from being a President at a large, family owned dealership Wolfe Cadillac, she is a mom, an athlete and a pilot! Breaking stereotypes all over the place, Ashley told us what it’s like to run a large business in Alberta, what her passions are, what drives her (well, we know it’s a Cadillac, but still wanted to know more), and what does luxuria mean to her.
What was your dream job when you were a kid? I always wanted to be a professional baseball player when I was young, but I soon realized that there was no way to make a living as a female baseball player. I then thought about some sort of search and rescue job flying helicopters or working in the Coast Guard. Being a secret agent in the FBI was high on my list as well right up through college. Or a professional ski guide.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA HAIR BY SABRINA VIANA MAKEUP BY JESSICA LEE
Tell us about growing up in a family of entrepreneurs and community builders? Please expand on this question. I grew up with very strong role models. Both of my parents were business owners and heavily involved in their community. My brother and I were surrounded by overachievers, and educators in our extended family. I was exposed to very strong independent women that paved the way for me to think that there wasn’t anything I couldn’t accomplish. They supported me in competitive athletics and pushed me to never settle for mediocrity, excelling at what I chose to do was the only way to go. I learned from both sides of my family that giving back was a priority as there were many less fortunate. Both sides of my family demanded that I get an education and work hard for a living, there were no shortcuts and no free rides.
How did you get to where you are today, and who helped you along the way? I started in the automotive business in 2005 right out of University. My father was a huge supporter of mine as I learned the family business and put faith in my decision-making right away which enabled me to build confidence in my role. I was fortunate to be surrounded by some excellent members of the management team that had loyalty to my father which I earned over time. The existing leaders in the organization trained me in the business. Along the way I made it a priority to always be learning, taking 2-3 leadership and management courses per year to build my communication skills. I also attended the National Automobile Dealer Academy.
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Who is your mentor? Peter Heppner, he is the Dealer Principle of Preston Chevrolet GMC Buick Cadillac in Langley BC. For years he ran our stores in Edmonton and was a valuable member of our team. I speak to him 2-3 times per week and gain insight on all kinds of things related to the auto industry. My career would not be what it is if it weren’t for him.
What have you learned about leadership and entrepreneurship? “It’s all about the people” You cannot get anywhere is this life going at it alone. Surrounding yourself with great people is the key to a successful business. Give appreciation often, take the time to listen to your team and always give them a platform to have an opinion on the business and what the future opportunities are. Be consistent.
What woman inspires you and why? My grandmother inspires me, although she has now passed away. She raised 5 children on her own, was an educator, travelled across Europe on her bicycle, canoed the Bowern Lakes, was the first woman on the downhill ski team in Juneau Alaska, had a University degree, and was financially savvy and independent. She worked with her hands and had a garden. She inspires me daily…when she was alive, she accomplished so much against all odds and did so many things that only men did at that time. She was my hero.
What is the biggest challenge for women in leadership? It’s all a big challenge. The obvious answer is that we must work that much harder than men to be recognized and taken seriously in positions of power.
What does the day in the life of a Wolfe Automotive Group CEO look like? I am awakened by my 4-year-old who has a habit of climbing in bed with us around 5:15. I exercise and stretch. Make breakfast for both of my boys. I head to work at 7:30 to my head office in Calgary of which I spend 50% of my week. The other 50% I move around to our other locations in Edmonton and Canmore. My days consist of inspecting what I expect from the upper management team, and working through high level opportunities, or concerns. I leave the store around 5 pm and head off to coach one of my sons’ teams, currently it’s Timbits hockey, soon to be T-Ball. If possible, my husband and I try to squeeze one date night in a week.
How do you balance personal and professional life? Work in progress. As a working mother it’s more about guilt management. There are never enough hours in the day to accomplish what I want to accomplish at work, and every additional hour I spend away from my family makes me feel guilty. For me it’s all about consistency, I try and make sure if I’m in town I am eating dinner with my family and reading stories with my children. I focus on being present in the environment that I’m in, if I’m at home I am 100% focused on my family and try my best to not engage on my telephone or answer emails regarding work. The opposite is true when I am at the office.
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What does LUXURIA mean to you? Excellence.
How has the technology in vehicles changed over the years? Major improvements, some of our Cadillacs can drive themselves. Interactive features with Bluetooth technology, GPS navigation, Heated and cooled seats, massaging seats. Vehicle’s have become way more interactive over the years.
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What is the culture at Wolfe Cadillac? How do you celebrate your success with your team? One of honesty and integrity. A culture of innovation, we are constantly trying to come competition with our customer experience. I try to recognize the achievements of our team on a regular basis, stop by as much as possible and talk to different members of the team. We keep the whole dealership informed with our milestones. What is your favorite Cadillac? The Cadillac Escalade
What is your favorite feature in a brand new Cadillac? Massaging seats
Why is helping the community so important to you and your team? Helping people is in our bones. My brother and I were raised that when you were a leader in the community it was your responsibility to give back. Loyalty comes by putting the needs of others in front of your own.
Where do you go for a night out? Depends on whether it’s to dinner or for some outside recreation time. In spring and summer, I love to go for a mountain bike ride with my family and have a picnic dinner. In the winter I enjoy playing outdoor hockey. If it’s a dinner date with my husband I’m a fan of good red wine and Italian food. I also love live music.
What hobbies do you have? Surfing, Mountain biking, camping, playing up with ways to separate ourselves from our
baseball, coaching, skiing, snowmobiling, flying, hiking, basketball, playing guitar, reading, travelling, exercising…. Anything active and outside!
You are not only a female CEO in the Automotive Industry. You are a pilot? Yes, I love to fly. I am a pilot and I own my own plane. I fly from Calgary to Edmonton for my business meetings. www.wolfecadillac.com
