A Professional, Respectful Culture is Top Priority at This Woman-Owned Business
Ann Saiz is a female entrepreneur in what many would consider a man’s field: automobile servicing. Saiz and her husband, Anselmo, have owned four Midas locations in South Florida since early 2019.
Midas welcomed her (and other female franchisees) with open arms, says Saiz, who has a sales and marketing background. But a few people had “to put aside preconceptions and see that I am very serious about my business — hardworking and results-driven. Early on, I came across a few people who looked at me as temporary, as if I had found a new hobby.” For instance, two employees spoke to her condescendingly. “One was unaware he was being disrespectful and adjusted the way he communicated. He has since become a valuable asset to the team. The other felt he could not adjust and quit.”
Respectful Business Culture
As a Midas franchisee, Saiz has built a cooperative, professional, respectful culture in her stores. “We are one team working together to achieve a common goal. I had a situation where a female employee was spoken to inappropriately, and I found out from another employee. I asked why she didn’t tell me, and her response was that, based on her experience at other companies, ‘It comes with the territory,’ and, ‘If you say something, the atmosphere becomes uncomfortable.’ I assured her that it was not the way we do things in my shops.
“We decided together that she would speak to that person. I told her she had my support and I would step in if needed, but it was important for her to know she can stand up for herself. I told her to calmly state that she is a professional who brings equal value to the shop and that his comments were inappropriate and discounted her as a person and professional. She said he was genuine in his apology, and they have since had a fun, productive, professional relationship.”
Woman-Owned Business
Female customers are “pleased to find a woman owns the business,” Saiz says. All customers receive texts with “photos of their car with technician’s notes describing the condition of tires, brakes, filters and anything else that may or may not need attention. Women appreciate the transparency. We don’t talk down to them. We partner with them to optimally maintain and ensure the safety of their vehicles. I encourage them to ask questions and speak with the tech.”
Saiz believes that basic principles drive business success regardless of gender. “Work hard, be present, know your numbers and always keep your eyes on the goals that you’ve set. Don’t allow anyone to distract you from achieving success.” In empowering women specifically, she says “the only limitations are the ones you put on yourself, so think big and work hard and make sure you enjoy what you are doing.”
For more information, visit www.midasfranchise.com