Q&A with an inspiring woman: AJ Kerwood of Husker Auto Group

Who has inspired you?

My parents were my inspiration. They were both driven and hardworking throughout their entire lives. I love that they instilled the same drive and work ethic in my sister and me that they had. They taught us the importance of doing our best, putting in the work, and never giving up. I could not have asked for better role models.

What book or podcast is currently inspiring you?

The podcast I am listening to was recently recommended to me: "Welcome to the Party," hosted by Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy. It is a fun and informative podcast that celebrates, elevates and educates on all kinds of women's sports. They interview athletes and coaches and discuss current events.

The Inspire Women’s Leadership platform launched Inspire Girls. What advice would you give them?

Never be afraid to begin a new journey. Learn everything you can from your peers and never give up. Success is built on your resilience, curiosity and how you treat people. Be relentless, keep learning and stay kind.

How can we better inspire, include, and invest in others in our community?

Get to know others in the community. Actively listen to make others feel valued. Share stories highlighting successful projects or local heroes in the community. Being authentic and consistent will strengthen community bonds.

What does leadership mean to you?

To me, leadership is being there for my team and others. I want them to know I am always there for guidance and support. If I don't know the answer or solution, I will do my best to figure one out. Life is unpredictable and can be chaotic both professionally and personally. I want to be the leader to help calm the chaos.

What is your favorite inspirational quote or motto?

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great," by Zig Ziglar. I can relate to this quote personally. I started as a dealership phone operator who knew nothing about cars, franchises or titles, and through hard work, continuous learning and commitment to excellence over the last 25 years, I am now the controller of the same dealership.

How would you describe a great day?

I wake up feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. Work is productive, where everything goes according to plan, tasks are completed efficiently, and challenges are overcome, leading to a sense of accomplishment. I look forward to calling my sister after work to discuss our day. Arriving home to relax with my husband and two dogs, watching TV or reading a book. At the end of the day, being thankful it was a productive and rewarding day.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?

You cannot control what is out of your control. My sister reminds me of this when life can be overwhelming. She helps me focus on my own thoughts, actions, and behaviors that I can control.

What’s the biggest challenge or adversity you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?

Shortly after my promotion at work, both my parents became ill. After my dad passed away, my mom needed full-time care. Between my sister, brother-in-law, husband, and me, we were there caring for her 24 hours a day. Taking care of a loved one while working full time had its challenges. I had a great support system through those 11 weeks. Family, friends, and co-workers were my rock and stepped up in my time of need. I could not have gotten through one of the most difficult moments in my life without everyone's support.