#MoreThanCars #DD23Tampa

Have you ever watched a reunion special for a great show like Friends, Cheers or Seinfeld? they show you clips from the pilot episode and you see how young the actors were, you could tell they were a little uncomfortable, and how the chemistry wasn't all the way there yet, but still you just knew, and could feel there was something special there and that it was going to be a winner!

Well, while I was at #DD23Tampa this week I was invited to attend the pilot prerelease of a special project by ASOTU called #morethancars for anyone that doesn’t know ASOTU is short for Automotive State of the Union, and is a media outlet for the auto industry - by the auto industry. The more than cars show Is a cross somewhere between a docuseries and a reality show and takes place in car dealerships telling the real stories of the real humans that make the industry work.?

Those of us in the car business are well aware of the stigma we signed up for. The less than interested extended family that wants to hear about everyone else’s career milestones at the holiday dinner table, the unenthusiastic response when your in a conversation with a “civilian” about being in the car business. There is even a certain facial expression we all know too well that says “oh, you’re one of them….”?

I mean, even lawyers feel superior in the company of car people because they know that our reputation is respected and viewed lower than theirs.?We're lucky we dont have to wear the scarlet letter "C" on our shirts....

But the reality is that the auto industry has opened doors for so many, it has changed lifestyles, and created un-dreamable possibilities like putting kids through college, buying houses, and more for so many people and families, myself included.?

More than Cars, which is short for “Love People More than You Love Cars” - the ASOTU slogan, is a showcase for just that.

Those of us that have chosen this career path know that for every horror story that gets circulated there are 10x the stories that never get shared of life changing wins, stories of folks that needed a little help and got some because the people in this business truly are the opposite of the industry reputation and care deeply about the people and communities they serve.?

I will speak for myself and say that I live a life, and can take care of my family, in ways that I couldn't have imagined I would be able to, and it is 100% because of this auto industry; learning from great mentors, establishing relationships with incredible people, and being rewarded for hard work, maintaining a reputation of saying what I do and doing what I say, and taking responsibility and owning the results in whatever form they come come back in.?

I’ve never been so proud to be a car-guy as after watching this show and it inspired me to write this post. I hope you will take the time to watch when it is released and that many years from now as I envision after episode 100-ish, I can look back and say I remember seeing the prescreening release at Tampa theatre during #DD23 and I knew it was going to be something special! #waybackwhen Check out https://www.morethancars.tv for more information and check out my website vicimus.com if you want to work with a team that cares about people first! #Wegotyourback?