Jake Sodikoff’s career in the automotive industry began earlier than most, washing cars at his family’s Toyota dealership when he was only 11 years old. By 15, he was already a sales representative and recalls obtaining his sales license before he was even allowed to drive. Now, at age 35, Sodikoff is both the dealer principal at Steven Nissan in his home state of Virginia and the recipient of the inaugural CBT News 40 Under 40 award. To learn more about his incredible career trajectory and his ambitions for the future, CBT News anchor Jim Fitzpatrick joins Sodikoff for an exclusive interview.
Key Takeaways
1. As the dealer principal of Steven Nissan, Sodikoff focuses on strategy and ensures his team is equipped with the tools necessary for success. Sodikoff uses his background in the culinary arts to throw occasional celebrations for his employees.
2. Sodikoff notes that his previous dealership quickly began to achieve record-breaking success thanks to the strategies he had put in place. While he has made numerous positive impacts as a member of the retail automotive community, watching his team celebrate their new achievements as a result of his planning is still his proudest moment.
3. Sodikoff has an ambitious strategy for himself and for his company. He hopes to grow Steven Nissan into a 10-rooftop dealership group before he turns 40, with a long-term goal of running as many as 30 locations in total.
