Editor’s Note: On February 1, 2026, Dishawn Bell, General Manager at America’s Car-Mart of Conway, Ark., marks 25 years with the company. We are proud to honor him and grateful to have him on our team. His words say it all: “I love my job. I’ve dedicated 25 years of my life to Car-Mart, and it has been 25 years of worth it.”
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The defining moment that convinced Dishawn Bell to build his career at America’s Car-Mart
- Why people, not titles or numbers, define success for Dishawn after 25 years
- How Car-Mart’s values show up every day through Dishawn’s leadership and service
- The lasting legacy Dishawn is building by investing in others
After 25 years at America’s Car-Mart, Dishawn Bell, General Manager at Car-Mart of Conway, Ark., still starts each day motivated by the same core: the people. The young 23-year-old who entered the Benton, Ark., dealership, recently married, uncertain about his future, and looking for a job, never imagined the career, relationships, and legacy he would build.
Dishawn’s first day left a lasting impression. It was cold outside, and he spent much of the morning with the assistant manager. The general manager took him to lunch to get to know him better. The atmosphere felt supportive, connected, and genuine. He thought, “This place is different,” and it made him want to stay.
In just a few months, Dishawn advanced from sales to collections, satellite manager, assistant manager, area operations manager, and general manager, working through Benton, Hot Springs, Tulsa, spending 17 years at Pine Bluff, and now Conway. He has led the dealership there for three years.
The Moment That Made Him Stay
At one point, Dishawn considered making a career move. When he told his GM he was thinking about leaving, his leader stepped in and made one thing clear: Dishawn had the GM and company’s full support.
More importantly, he realized he was working somewhere leaders truly stand behind and lift up their associates and teams. “That was the moment I knew I made the right decision to work at Car-Mart,” Dishawn says.
From day one, Car-Mart showed Dishawn what the company was all about: opportunity and growth. “Many companies talk a big game about moving up,” Dishawn continues. “But everything this company told me, this company does. Do the work, hit your numbers, take care of the customer, and you can get rewarded.”
Where the Work Truly Matters
Ask Dishawn about his proudest accomplishments, and he won’t mention awards, metrics, or personal milestones. To him, the real achievements are the people he’s helped advance in the company. He estimates training 15–20 associates, who previously have or currently manage their own dealerships.
“That is the epitome of a great achievement, getting other people to be leaders,” he says. “And without the people, none of this means anything.”
He also recalls moments when his team came together for each other, like when an associate whose son had suddenly passed away. Dishawn’s team rallied to provide support, food, and comfort. Another time, for Thanksgiving, his team stepped up to deliver baskets to families in need.
“That’s Car-Mart’s mission, vision, and values in action,” says Dishawn. “I have the privilege of working with great people.”
“People – That’s What It’s All About!”
Dishawn’s career is filled with stories that prove relationships – people – not sales, define his work. There’s Wilton, a customer who faced a challenging moment with his truck and worked through it directly with Dishawn. The two had a conversation, shook hands, and Wilton’s family remained loyal customers for years.
Solomon lived behind the dealership. He wasn’t a customer at first, but he became Car-Mart’s unofficial “security guard,” helping keep watch and drinking coffee with the team each morning.
And there are a thousand Pine Bluff customers Dishawn can still name, parents, and kids. “We’re a vital part of people’s lives,” he says. “We provide affordable transportation, and when customers hit hardships, it’s our responsibility to help them.”
A Legacy of Service
Dishawn’s loyalty to Car-Mart runs deep, strengthened through both professional milestones and personal trials. When his mother became ill and later passed away, his leaders gave him the time, space, and support to take care of his family. “That’s one of the things that kept me here,” he says.
His children, Romelo, age 20; Akira, 18; and Zanee, 15, have grown up with Car-Mart as part of their world. He ensured they saw both sides of this career: hard work and service. From toy drives to family-friendly Christmas parties, he wanted them to understand the importance of giving back:
Dishawn has seen the auto world transform in his tenure, from standing outside waiting for customers to embracing online shopping and social media. He’s adapted, learned new skills, and even started doing vehicle social media videos. “You have to be willing to evolve,” he says. “The business changes, and we have to change with it.”
But the heart of his work hasn’t changed. What gets him up in the morning is still the same thing that convinced him to stay all those years ago: the people he works with and the customers he serves.
Dishawn’s legacy will be simple: a man who showed up, rolled up his sleeves, worked hard, and most of all, helped others. After 25 years, he still calls his journey a ‘good ride,’ and he remains grateful for the leaders who took a chance on him and inspired him to invest in others.
“Car-Mart has given me a good life,” concludes Dishawn. “I’ve been fortunate to help a lot of people along the way.”
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