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Kim Walker - Owner and Marketing Director Peak Automotive
Meet Kim Walker:
“Those who never risk going too far never know how far they can go” is a quote by which Kim Walker operates. She has taken her career from that of an Elementary School Counselor to becoming fully involved in the day to day operations and marketing of their family business, Peak Automotive, only by subscribing to that belief. Kim and her husband, Brian, opened their business in 2002 as a small Mercedes-Benz automotive repair shop. At the time, Kim’s career did not involve the family shop. Two years later, as the business progressively grew it was time for Kim to use her skills in listening and knowing women to help market the business.
Treating customers in the most extraordinary way has taken them from simply being a repair shop to “The Most Female Friendly Shop in the Triangle” (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill of NC) and selected by Motor Age Magazine as one of the Top Ten Shops in America. Kim chose the risk of going too far by marketing Peak Automotive based on the reputation created by their customers as being female friendly. They learned that treating women with respect, honesty, understanding and really paying close attention to even the smallest details will earn the lifelong customers we all strive to have.
Becoming a professional at marketing to women came as a fun, invigorating challenge to Kim. She has proven that listening, being observant and learning from others can take you from where you are to where you want to be. She involves herself in as many networking events as possible. With membership in Women Business Owners Network of Cary, Chix in Business, BNI, Cary and Apex Chambers of Commerce, as well as participating on committees for charities and other community organizations Kim stays very busy! In addition to networking, Kim takes great pride in being involved daily with Peak Automotive’s customers. From hand written thank you notes, personal follow-up phone calls to every customer, to email newsletters and car care events, staying in touch with their customers is the most important responsibility of her job. Simply being a woman, Kim knows what is important to women. She listens to what women care about, their needs and wants; then she translates that into the level of customer service provided by the Peak team.
Kim has been nominated for the Triangle Business Journal’s Women in Business Award and the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Award. Kim was selected to receive the Right Choice Business’s Frontrunner Award. Peak Automotive, an ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognized Shop and Bosch Authorized Service Center, has been profiled in Auto Inc Magazine and by WorldPac’s client newsletter. Their most recent achievement has been being selected by Motor Age Magazine as one of the Top Ten Shops in America.
Kim attributes her success to her strong Christian faith and caring, supportive family. She and her husband, Brian, live in Holly Springs, NC with their 4-year-old son, Payton and 14-year-old niece, Kasie.
Kim Walker
Owner and Marketing Director
Peak Automotive
www.peakautomotive.com
