Amy Mullins’ 30-Year Legacy of Dedication at America’s Car-Mart

From a Small Team to A Thriving Career, Amy Reflects on Three Decades of Impact


Editor’s Note – This blog was first published in February 2021. Since then, Amy Mullins has celebrated her 30th anniversary with America’s Car-Mart. Here’s what Amy shares about reaching this milestone: “Three decades will pass before you know it. I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people, including customers and co-workers, over the years. I love helping people, and this career has given me that opportunity. I am grateful to have been part of this successful company (both Taylor Motor Company and America’s Car-Mart) for 30 years. My goal is to keep gaining experience and knowledge to contribute to the success of America’s Car-Mart, both professionally and personally, in the years ahead.”

Amy Mullins has spent almost half her life with America’s Car-Mart, starting at Taylor Motor Company in 1995.* For that 25-year-old kid, it was Taylor Motor that was her third adult job in 1995 after working at a fast-food restaurant and medical equipment supply company. *In March 20202, Taylor Motor Company became part of Car-Mart.

Her duties – “whatever needed to be done” – accounting, answering phones, helping customers, etc. “We were little bitty with three employees and a manager – a collector, salesperson, a manager and me,” recalls Amy, General Manager of Car-Mart in Marion, Benton, and Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Those early days were both challenging and exhilarating. One day, the collector left, and Amy was handed a list of customers to call. Another day, the salesperson was absent, and Amy was asked to speak with customers. “From the very beginning, it was ‘I gotta figure this out’ whether it was sales, collections, paperwork or accounting. I did the best I could,” she says.

Flashback to a ten-year-old Amy and her first job at age 10 – delivering newspapers where she learned the basics of selling and accounting. She liked the money and the responsibility. “The bank across the street from the newspaper office would let you open a checking account, no matter your age. So, my mother taught me how to balance my checkbook. Maybe that’s where my accounting background came from,” smiles Amy.

Fast forward to today, Amy maintains her can-do attitude. “I just come in, do my thing and do the best I can,” Amy continues.

Amy Mullins, Area Operations Manager in Benton, standing with Steve Taylor inside a dealership
Amy Mullins, General Manager of Marion, Benton, and Mt. Vernon, standing with Steve Taylor, the third-generation owner of Taylor Motor Company.

“We have a really good team,” she adds. “We have built a family atmosphere. After all, we spend more time at work than at home. I have some great co-workers and we all work together as a team. We come to work and try to laugh and help each other.”

Working at Car-Mart has taught Amy patience and increased compassion. “You learn a lot in 30 years. As you learn and grow – and as a manager – you learn to be more understanding and diplomatic. No matter how bad it is for you, someone else has it worse,” continues Amy. “It’s especially rewarding when customers come in and say, ‘Hey, we appreciate you; we just bought a house because we were able to improve our credit.’”

That Takes the Cake

When the company [Taylor Motor Company] reached its first $1 million in receivables, the team celebrated with a cake. “It was a huge milestone and accomplishment,” smiles Amy, an important contributor to the company’s growth and evolution. We opened Taylor stores in Marion in 1997. The company then opened Mt. Vernon and Carbondale in 2003 and 2006, respectively, providing Amy with increasing responsibility.

Indeed, the business has undergone significant changes since those early days. “We started out with Tempos and now we’re selling F-150s. It’s also more digital now. When I first started, they had just transitioned to software. Technology has put such a different spin on how we do business and that’s a good thing,” says Amy.

Amy’s Inspiration

Amy reflects on her 30 years with Car-Mart.

For Amy, the best part about working at Car-Mart is helping people.

“When we can get someone in a vehicle they need, and they get to the end and to buy a house, or something equally important, it makes you know you are doing the right thing,” says Amy. “We’ve been able to help them build their credit.”

“I also like being able to see our employees be successful. I like being able to see them grow within the company, make more money, buy houses, have a family, be successful because of working with us.”

Throughout her career, the words that have motivated Amy are the words of wisdom by Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.”

Amy is also driven to do well for her family. She and her husband, Jeff, have been married since 2007. They have four children and 14 grandkids. They enjoy camping, boating, gardening and riding their Harleys.

A Good Place to Work

“We work hard to keep our customers happy,” Amy says. “America’s Car-Mart is a good place to work. The biggest and best thing is our co-workers. Plus, half of our management team has shown remarkable longevity, with many years of dedicated service. It’s the knowledge and friendship we have that’s important and that makes you want to stay.”

“I never set out for a career. I think that just happened as the years clicked by. I am fortunate to have such good co-workers, it makes it fun to come to work. So, I just stayed and stayed and stayed,” says Amy. “And, at this point, I will stay some more!”

“It’s never a dull day. There’s always something going on – a funny something, a frustrating something,” concludes Amy, who, even after 30 years, is ready to do “whatever needs to be done.”

 

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