Success is a Frame of Mind That Takes Action
Marion Luna Brem was 30 years old when she was handed a death sentence. Marion had cancer of the breast and cervix. In the short span of eleven weeks, she had two surgeries: a mastectomy and hysterectomy. Next she suffered through the horrible effects of chemotherapy. In addition to her pain, the cancer had robbed her of her hair, her savings and her husband. He left because he couldn’t deal with the pressure any more. He also left Marion with two small boys and no way to support them.
One hot morning Marion found herself on the floor of her bathroom trying not to throw up again. She was not only facing overwhelming pain and paralyzing fear, she was facing a major decision. Would she give up or would she fight back? Thoughts of her children consumed her. She needed to get a job, but she had little work experience and next to no formal education. Add to that equation the fact she was a woman – and a Latina, and the prospects looked as dismal as the bathroom floor.
Marion’s best friend suggested a job in sales. At first Marion pushed the idea aside. And then she decided to act on it. She chose the male dominated car sales industry. In her healthier days she’d been a switchboard operator at a car dealership and knew there was good money in car sales. She’d also witnessed how the salesmen talked exclusively to the men and virtually ignored the women. Her instincts told her women were a more important part of the equation than they were given credit for. Statistics now prove she was right.
When couples buy a car, the woman influences the decision 80% of the time. It wasn’t an easy road. Marion was flatly refused applications (because she was a woman) in 16 car dealerships. Finally, at the 
17th car dealership she told the manager what she’d observed about women car buyers. He hired her on the spot.
Her all-male colleagues welcomed the rookie. They didn’t see her as competition but rather as a curiosity. It wasn’t until she started outperforming them that they became cool toward her. Even so, Marion 10 received the annual “Salesman of the Year” award — complete with a man’s Rolex watch. She accepted the recognition and enjoyed her achievement.
Marion was the top producer for the next two years. Then she approached her boss for a management position. He refused her because he didn’t want to remove her from sales — she was making too much money for the company.
Difficult as it was, Marion left the security of that position and hit the pavement again. She was finally hired as an entry-level manager at a new dealership. Two and half years later she was ready to start her own dealership.
She went to the drugstore and bought 50 school folders and created portfolios. She called them her “brag folder” and they contained her certificates, press clippings and a biography. She sent the package to 50 CPAs all over Texas. Two weeks later she received a call from one of her contacts. He became her silent partner, put up the working capital and millions in loans and Marion opened a Chrysler dealership.
In just 5 years after selling her first car, Marion Luna Brem opened “Love Chrysler” complete with a heart logo on every car. Marion’s motto: “It’s not just the hearts on our cars, it’s the hearts inside our people. We’re spreading Love all over Texas!”
Today Marion is cancer-free, the owner of two car dealerships, and recently celebrated the 11th anniversary of Love Chrysler. Her company is 89th on the Hispanic Business 500 with revenues of more than $45 million.
Success is a frame of mind that takes action. Believe in yourself. Keep moving forward. And remember Marion! Hopefully your journey does not begin as tragic as Marion’s but use her determination and belief to keep going!
What is Your Frame of Mind? Are You Taking Action Today?
Tour Coach in Success
Marq
Wealth Creators Inc- Leading the Wise to Wealth
1-877-644-7216
