FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR

Never take no for an answer

Even in male-dominated fields, women like Barbara Moran live their leadership dreams

by Rose Mango

Barbara Moran – daughter of Dennis Moran, founder of Moran Industries – was immersed in the family business as she grew up. Moran even dreamed of becoming president of her father’s company, which includes franchises that offer automotive repairs and aftermarket vehicle parts and services: Mr. Transmission, Multistate Transmissions, Dr. Nick’s Transmissions, Milex (tune-up, brakes, air conditioning) and Alta Mere (window tinting and auto alarms).

She was told that role was unattainable, that customers and franchisees wouldn’t be comfortable with a woman leading a company in a male-dominated industry.

Disappointed yet not completely giving up, she moved on to other things, including a stint as a legislative aide to an Illinois congresswoman. Years later, Moran returned to the fold as an owner of a Mr. Transmission franchise. And by the late 1990s, she held several positions within the company. “I was operating in a dual role as a franchisee and also as an employee of the franchisor, as personnel director and corporate secretary,” Moran says. She also advised her father, who was ill, about the company’s direction.

Moran refused to be swayed by others’ opinions about women in leadership roles. “When I was told no, I decided to disregard that no, and I was going to learn as much as I could in as many areas as I could and move on with a career in the legal field, the political field or the franchise field. I was going to utilize my employment as a way to educate myself further in business.”

Perhaps surprisingly, when Moran served as an aide to Rep. Jane Barnes, she polished her business skills. “Barnes became my mentor. She had been an elected official for 19 years and had started in a time when it was completely male-dominated. I saw how she interacted with her male counterparts, and I saw how she worked with them and moved beyond the glass ceiling. It helped me to understand that if I focused on the glass ceiling, then it was going be…a battle for me. However, if I focused on my objective and continued to pursue it and negotiate for it, then I had a better chance.”

Years later, Moran Industries selected a candidate to lead the company in her father’s absence. That person didn’t work out. Barbara Moran then asked an outside consulting firm to develop a profile for the next president as well as suggest a specific person to take over.

After three days of evaluation, the outside firm recommended that Barbara Moran be president of Moran Industries.

The board of directors approached her about taking the job. Even though the position had once been her fondest hope, “they had to spend several days convincing me,” Moran says, laughing, “because at that point, I had a different perspective on things in life. I had gone through some medical issues where I really had planned on being at home more and trying to focus on my family. So I was looking toward not taking that role. There was a lot of work ahead of the company at that point.”

Ultimately Moran said yes, of course. That was 1999, and she has been president and CEO ever since.

Today Moran is a firm believer that no one should ever take no for an answer, and she helps other women succeed in the traditionally male-dominated industry. “We have a good deal of women franchise owners now and that number is growing. I couldn’t be happier about that.”

To learn more about franchising with Moran Brands visit: https://moranfamilyofbrands.com.