Cassandra graduated from Eatonville High School with one year of Running Start at Pierce College, setting the foundation for her strong work ethic and focus on education. In 2000, she began working full-time at All Transmissions & Automotive, her family’s business, where she was immediately recognized for her leadership potential. However, Cassandra’s journey in the business began long before that. At just 13 years old, she started by sweeping and mopping floors and weeding flower beds, learning the importance of hard work from a young age.

As Cassandra gained experience, her responsibilities grew. By the early 2000s, she was writing or overseeing $1.2 million a year in auto repair service, a significant achievement in managing operations and client satisfaction. Starting from the ground up, she gained invaluable hands-on experience, learning all aspects of the business, from customer service to operations management.

Over time, Cassandra’s hard work, dedication, and strategic mindset allowed her to rise through the ranks. She eventually took on the responsibility of managing the entire operation, overseeing a workforce of 20 employees. Her team included 2 service writers, 1 administrative assistant, 1 bookkeeper, 1 outside sales representative, 1 parts person, 1 driver/cleanup person, and 13 highly skilled technicians responsible for the hands-on mechanical work.

Cassandra excelled in her management role, not only maintaining but expanding the business’s success. She streamlined processes, improved customer satisfaction, and developed a team atmosphere that contributed to higher employee retention and job satisfaction. Her strong leadership, innovative ideas, and dedication to continuous improvement led to the business thriving under her guidance.

During this period, she continued her studies in business management, marketing, and accounting at Pierce College during the evenings. This additional education helped her sharpen her business acumen and prepared her to take on more complex challenges, equipping her with the skills to lead the business more effectively.

In Cassandra’s opinion, she attributes her relentless drive for success to her parents, who demonstrated throughout her life what it means to work hard and achieve one’s goals. Their guidance and example laid the foundation for her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen, shaping the way she approaches both personal and professional success.