Mike Dorazio is a self-made entrepreneur, husband and father of 5. He has spent the past 35 years advancing his career and building his brand within the Automotive Industry.

He started his Sales journey in Altoona, PA and worked his way up to becoming a Sales Manager, Finance Manager, General Manager and eventually a partner in a small Ford Store.

Mike sold his interest in the Ford store and decided to change his career path. He accepted a position with Westlake Financial. He helped sign and establish accounts with over 400 dealers in Pennsylvania. Eventually becoming the East Coast Division Manager. During his time at Westlake Financial, Mike was able to obtain knowledge and create relationships that helped define the next steps in his career.

In January of 2013, Mike launched "Platinum Pre-Owned LLC". It all started with 2 employees. In 10 short years, Platinum Central Pennsylvania expanded throughout the area, with over 200 employees and 6 locations, 3 of which were franchised Mitsubishi stores.

Mike built upon the values that he learned as a young man during his time in the United States Marine Corps, such as integrity, willingness and determination, then modeled these qualities into his business structure.

In 2020, he started MBishin Media, to establish production and management of all advertising and branding for Platinum Central PA and to also showcase the music that he loves. In the beginning of 2022, he added Freedom Auto Auction in Freedom Township, PA.

Over the past 2 years, the subprime business model that is the core of Platimum's business has encountered extreme challenges and has forced Mike to close 2 Preowned stores and sell 2 Mitsubishi stores.
With his main Preowned store, his most successful Mitsubishi store, his Auto Auction, and his media company and 100 employees remaining, Mike is determined to face the challenges ahead and continue to navigate the ever changing automotive business with optimism, grit, perseverance, and empathy for the people around him.

https://www.facebook.com/mike.dorazio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dorazio-8001b246/

#AutomotiveEntrepreneur #BusinessResilience #LeadershipJourney #PlatinumPreOwned #AutoIndustryPioneer

In this episode of Chicks in Charge, we’re excited to have Sleiman Serhan join us. Sleiman leads the Automotive division at Inmar, transitioning from a finance and hedge fund background to automotive leadership. A CFA charterholder with a Masters in Quantitative Management and Business Analytics from Duke Fuqua, he joined Inmar's Automotive team in 2021. Sleiman actively contributes to Inmar Intelligence's Data Science and AI innovation lab, leveraging his expertise to drive advancements in automotive data analytics and artificial intelligence.

#AutomotiveLeadership #DataScienceInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #CFACharterholder #BusinessAnalytics #QuantitativeManagement #AIinAutomotive #AutomotiveAnalytics #InmarIntelligence #DukeFuqua #FinanceToAutomotive #HedgeFundToAutomotive #InnovationLab #AutomotiveTechnology #InmarAutomotive

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we are joined by Darrell Steed, a seasoned innovator and consultant in automotive dealership strategies. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Darrell has seen the challenges dealerships face and founded Smartwolf Consulting to provide transformative, sustainable solutions that break the cycle of repetitive mistakes.

Darrell's journey started in the trenches of automotive sales and management, where he identified gaps in training and process implementation. This led to the creation of Smartwolf Consulting and, later, the Street Smarts initiative—an accessible educational platform designed to help dealerships enhance their operations. From the Web Academy to the Dynamic Genius Group, Darrell's approach empowers dealerships with actionable insights, practical strategies, and a supportive community focused on achieving real, long-term success.

In this episode, Darrell shares his philosophy on dealership operations, how his innovative training programs are changing the game, and his passion for helping dealerships thrive. Tune in to hear from one of the industry’s most forward-thinking leaders and gain valuable insights that could revolutionize your approach to automotive business success!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-steed-54a98145
https://www.facebook.com/darrell.steed

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Erielle Gabay, a true Houstonian with a heart as big as Texas. Erielle brings style, passion, and purpose to everything she does—from her role as Marketing and BDC Manager at Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land to her unwavering advocacy for women’s empowerment, animal rights, and diversity.

With a background in Communications from St. Edwards University and a Digital Marketing Certification from Rice University, Erielle is a powerhouse in the automotive marketing world. Beyond her professional achievements, she dedicates her free time to volunteering with charities across Houston, proving that beauty and glamour go hand-in-hand with heart and advocacy.

Erielle’s platform focuses on self-discovery, resilience, and making a meaningful impact, inspiring young women and trauma survivors to embrace their unique voices while contributing to causes that matter. Join us as we dive into Erielle’s journey, her passion for community-driven initiatives, and her mission to make a difference both personally and professionally. This conversation is one you won’t want to miss!

https://www.facebook.com/erielle.gabay

Connect with us!
https://linktr.ee/chicksinchargepodcast
877-439-4224

Robin Wilson is a successful entrepreneur and founder of SCP Agency and Epic BDC and now SOCIAL GRENADE. She has been serving the automotive community since 2013, offering innovative solutions and delivering outstanding results. With a passion for the industry and a drive to succeed, Robin has established herself as a leader in the field. Now introducing Social Grenade to the automotive sales industry, solving organic social media lead generation where it matters most!

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we sit down with Kendra Southern, Fleet Services Manager at Big Star Ford and a seasoned professional with 27 years in the vehicle service industry. Kendra’s journey from service technician to service director—and now to fleet services leader—showcases her exceptional ability to drive growth and innovation in dealership operations.

With a proven track record of increasing service revenue by 53% through streamlined procedures and team culture, Kendra now focuses on delivering customized solutions for fleet customers. Her knack for building strong relationships and staying ahead of industry trends makes her a standout leader in the automotive world.

Join us as Kendra shares her insights on leadership, fostering team success, and what it takes to meet the evolving needs of fleet customers. Whether you’re in the industry or just curious about the dynamics of fleet services, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.

https://www.facebook.com/kendra.southern

In this TEDx Southlake edition of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re joined by Justin Atherton, a seasoned law enforcement professional turned leadership and communication expert. With nearly two decades of experience as a detective, SWAT breacher, patrol sergeant, and training lieutenant, Justin brings a unique perspective on uncovering truths and developing authentic leadership. As the founder of Confidence Unchained, he empowers professionals to break through self-deception, strengthen their communication, and lead with purpose.

Through his signature programs like LEAD with Confidence and Language Mastery for Leaders, Justin teaches individuals to navigate high-stakes situations, make decisive choices, and communicate with integrity. In this episode, we dive into the strategies that help leaders confront their own “suspect within” and cultivate confidence from the inside out. Join us as Justin shares insights on self-awareness, personal growth, and the art of authentic leadership that can transform any professional journey.

Connect with us!
https://linktr.ee/chicksinchargepodcast
877-439-4224

In this special TEDx Southlake edition of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome back the inspiring Kaylee Jewert—this time as a 13-year-old TEDx speaker! Kaylee's achievements in leadership, entrepreneurship, and public speaking are nothing short of remarkable. From winning a Gold Medal in Leadership Skills with the Colorado State Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and finishing in the top ranks nationally, to representing Colorado in Financial Literacy at the FBLA nationals, Kaylee exemplifies dedication and drive.

Beyond her academic accomplishments, Kaylee is a young entrepreneur with her own crocheting business, blending her creative talents with business savvy. As a Sources of Strength peer leader, she supports and uplifts her classmates with empathy and resilience. Kaylee has also graced the stage at Women In Automotive events, where she continues to inspire others with her journey. Join us as we dive into Kaylee's story and her TEDx experience, and discover how this rising star is making waves in leadership and beyond!

This Podcast Episode:
https://share.transistor.fm/s/21c856a8
Connect with us!
https://linktr.ee/chicksinchargepodcast
877-439-4224

#TEDxSouthlake #ChicksInCharge #KayleeJewert #YoungLeader #Entrepreneurship #PublicSpeaking #LeadershipSkills #FBLA #FinancialLiteracy #YoungEntrepreneur #CrochetingBusiness #SourcesOfStrength #WomenInAutomotive #InspiringYouth #RisingStar