Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry | FounderClosers EP. 51

In this episode of Founder Closers, Matt Uber sits down with Katie Naughton—entrepreneur, investor, former dealership owner, and Founder of Drive Her Forward.Katie shares her journey from growing up in a multi-generational automotive family to becoming one of fewer than 1% of women dealership owners, navigating mergers and acquisitions, selling family legacy businesses, and ultimately building a leadership platform designed to help ambitious women rise with confidence and clarity.This conversation dives deep into:• Leadership in male-dominated industries• Buying and selling businesses• Confidence in negotiation• Legacy vs. logic in entrepreneurship• Why leadership can feel lonely at the top• How women can stop waiting for permission and lead boldlyWhether you’re an entrepreneur, founder, executive, or aspiring leader, this episode delivers real-world insight on growth, ownership, and decision-making at the highest level.👉 Subscribe to Founder Closers for more conversations on entrepreneurship, revenue, leadership, and M&A.👉 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Founder Closers02:10 – Katie’s background & early exposure to entrepreneurship05:45 – Entering the automotive industry06:58 – Buying a Kia dealership & checking ego10:30 – Growing up in a family-owned dealership11:21 – The emotional decision to sell a family legacy13:20 – One dinner that changed everything17:45 – Managing businesses across borders22:30 – Women in male-dominated industries28:40 – Confidence, negotiation & executive presence35:15 – Market cycles & dealership M&A trends42:32 – Why leadership gets lonely at the top47:03 – How confidence changes negotiation outcomes51:49 – Why women aren’t victims—ownership & action55:30 – Building Drive Her Forward58:40 – Advice for ambitious women leaders01:01:10 – Final thoughts & where to connect with Katie