Sisters in charge: innovative women entrepreneurs

Moving from low expectations to the highest standard of excellence in the male-dominated world of automobiles has been gratifying for Moore. "It's quite a feeling of accomplishment knowing that you've done this in a predominantly male world," says the stylish Moore in an office filled with various plaques and awards. "I don't see why any woman can't do this; all it takes is some hard work and common business sense."

A native of Detroit, Moore attended Wayne State University and worked for the Internal Revenue Service for 11 years. It was through this experience at the IRS that Moore first thought of the idea of business ownership. But it was running an accounting firm--not owning a car dealership--that she initially had in mind. Moore wanted to help small minority businesses with their accounting procedures through her own business.

But her life dreams took a dramatic turn in 1986 while she worked as the public affairs director at a Detroit television station. A fellow student in a graduate class at Central Michigan University suggested that she look into the dealer development programs offered by the Big Three automakers: Chrysler (now DaimlerChrysler), Ford and General Motors.

Moore says the Chrysler program attracted her because of, at that time, its small class size and the guarantee that graduates would be placed with a dealership. She attended the program for two-and-a-half years and was trained in all aspects of the operation, including the "dirty work."

Moore arrived at Barrington Dodge as the general manager in November 1988 and served in that capacity for two years. She successfully completed her purchase of the dealership in 1995. What was at first a struggling business in one building with a staff of 21 that sold an average of 45 cars per month became a top-notch dealership with two locations, 50 employees and an average of 145 cars sold per month. The company had an estimated $63 million in sales for 2001.

"[I accomplished that] by working unbelievable hours and constantly striving to get the best people available," Moore says. "The people make the difference. Longevity makes a difference as well. After you've been here so long, you gain credibility ... There was a lot of hard work, but we turned it around. By giving my employees responsibilities and expecting great things from them, I get those things from them."

Moore's day-to-day responsibilities are managing what she calls a "wonderful staff," holding management meetings once per week, signing the ever-important checks and coordinating the overall functions of the dealership. She has served on numerous local boards and regularly attends seminars to stay updated on changes in the community and the industry. Moore was also the first Black chairperson of the Barrington Chamber of Commerce.

Moore believes any woman can be a viable CEO as long as she is prepared to do serious work toward completing that goal. All roads begin with education, says Moore, who has two business administration degrees: a bachelor of arts from Wayne State University and a master of arts from Central Michigan University.