In this episode of Women Driving the Industry, we sit down with Karen Sutton-Ford, the inspiring leader of Sutton Ford in Matteson, Illinois. Karen shares her incredible journey from childhood dreams to dealership leadership, emphasizing the importance of family, community, and corporate experience. Recently honored at NAMAD’s National Conference, Karen discusses her path to success, her family’s legacy, and the future of her dealership.
Key Takeaways
1. Karen Sutton-Ford always knew she would join the family business, following in her parents’ footsteps, who founded Sutton Ford. From age 10, she expressed a desire to take over the dealership. However, her passion wasn’t so much about cars themselves but rather the business model behind automotive sales. She sees the automotive industry as no different from other business sectors, noting that the franchise structure provides security while allowing room for entrepreneurial creativity.
2. Additionally, Sutton-Ford’s father insisted she gain experience outside the family business before joining Sutton Ford. She started her professional journey with IBM in corporate finance, a role that provided her with a broad skill set. Her corporate experience in New York and later as a district service manager in San Francisco allowed her to develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and leadership qualities—traits she believes are essential to succeeding in a small to medium-sized, family-owned business.
3. Although Sutton-Ford was initially expected to take over Sutton Ford around 2022, her leadership transition was fast-tracked in 2020 due to the pandemic and her father’s decision to retire earlier than planned. This unexpected change forced her to step up as General Manager and Dealer Principal sooner than anticipated. Karen embraced the challenge, applying both her academic and corporate background to lead Sutton Ford during a tumultuous time for the automotive industry. Her journey through different departments within the dealership (fleet, service, parts, sales) before assuming leadership gave her a comprehensive understanding of the business and prepared her to lead effectively.
4. Sutton–Ford credits the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) with playing a significant role in her professional development. As a NAMAD’s NextGen program member, she received mentorship, leadership training, and valuable industry connections that helped shape her career. NAMAD’s support of minority-owned dealerships has had a lasting impact on her family’s business, as Sutton Ford was part of Ford’s Minority Dealer Development program in the 1980s. Now, Karen is preparing to serve as Vice President of NAMAD’s NextGen committee, where she is committed to helping guide and mentor the next wave of minority automotive leaders.
5. Overall, Sutton-Ford’s future goals for the dealership are ambitious. In addition to expanding the dealership’s operations and ensuring the smooth integration of their recently acquired Ford dealership in Florida, Karen has dreams of owning luxury car franchises like Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, or Toyota. She believes in continuously striving for growth, and her focus on long-term planning demonstrates her commitment to building a lasting legacy for future generations.
6. She also emphasized the importance of adapting to changes in the automotive industry, particularly with the increasing influence of technology and innovation. As a mother, she hopes to pass the business on to her children, continuing the family legacy into the third generation.
"You can do anything that you put your mind to. The world is yours, but determination, faith, and keeping the right people in your corner will get you where you're called to be. Just never give up." – Karen Sutton Ford.
