It’s probably safe to say that few women have seen — or been a part of — as much growth in the car-washing industry as Sarah Ross. When she started with Mister Car Wash 15 years ago, the company had only 30 locations.
With a marketing degree from Auburn University and experience in several marketing roles, Ross was hired by Mister Car Wash for a B2B program sales role and led the marketing team for more than six years. Eager to contribute wherever and however she could, she soon was taking on additional projects, which eventually led to her involvement in acquisitions and integration, two vital components of the Mister Car Wash growth strategy then and now.
“Everything we thought we could accomplish back then is happening now,” Ross said. “The growth of the company is amazing, but at our core, we’re still a humble bunch of car washers willing to do what it takes. We’re still a family, just a whole lot bigger.”
Ross has always tried to embody the entrepreneurial spirit of Mister Car Wash, and her career has flourished right along with the company. Clearly, she was the right person at the right place at the right time, she sees more growth opportunities ahead. “If you’re willing to put in the work and serve the greater good of the team above yourself, there is really no end to the opportunities at Mister Car Wash,” she said.
As of this writing, Mister Car Wash operates 247 car washes and 33 express lubes in 21 states. As vice president of integration, Ross knows every location and has met many of the people who work in them. Many times, she is the first person new employees meet when their location has just been acquired by Mister Car Wash.
“I have the privilege and honor of working with soon-to-be or newly acquired stores and regions and tell them our story. I help introduce them to the Mister culture: We care, we work hard, and we have fun,” Ross said, quick to point out that those values are more than hollow words. They are deeply embedded in the organization. “We earn people’s trust through word and deed,” she said.
When Ross first started out in the car-wash industry, she stood out as a woman in a largely male-dominated profession, but she never let that bother her. As she said, “I’ve worked hard through the years to not make it an issue and earn the respect of all my coworkers, no matter their gender. Maybe in some ways that has made it easier for me to be ‘one of the guys.’ I think any company is better served by a diverse workforce. A difference of opinions and cultures can only add balance and openness.”
Ross’s advice to other women in the car-washing field, or any profession, is simple: “Don’t back down. Let your opinion be heard. You may not always be right, but you can have a seat at the table for discussion if your viewpoint is solid, well thought-out and not just for the sake of argument. Earn your keep and your voice.”
