The remarkable journey of Carina Diehl from grief-stricken widow to powerful automotive industry leader exemplifies resilience in its purest form. After tragically losing her husband Matt at just 46 years old, Carina faced a pivotal decision: sell their single dealership or step into an unfamiliar industry to preserve their shared dream. Despite being advised to sell and having minimal experience, she chose the harder path.
Walking into the dealership with determination, Carina learned the business from scratch, often hiding her knowledge gaps behind closed office doors while seeking guidance from industry contacts. When one manufacturer refused to approve her as dealer principal, she boldly threatened to contact national news outlets about their treatment of "a widow with two children" – they approved her the next day. This moment perfectly captures Karina's defining characteristic: when someone tells her she can't do something, it becomes her mission to prove them wrong.
Fast forward to today, and Diehl Automotive Group has expanded to 22 dealerships across eight campuses with 13 franchises and eight collision centers. This growth occurred organically, starting with a second dealership purchase when her daughter left for college – a decision her accountant advised against. Beyond business expansion, what makes Carina's leadership distinctive is her commitment to work-life balance for employees. By encouraging flexible scheduling for family commitments and ensuring team members take regular time off, she's created a culture that cultivates loyalty and productivity.
Looking ahead, Carina continues building a legacy for her family, with her son actively involved in operations and her son-in-law recently joining the business. Her story demonstrates that even in traditionally male-dominated industries, extraordinary determination can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Subscribe now to hear more inspiring leadership journeys that challenge conventional wisdom and reveal the human stories behind business success.

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