Losing a Job, Finding a Career: The Power of Transferable Skills

Julie Tabarejo didn’t plan to end up in automotive. Born and raised in Hawaii, she built a career in travel, media, and marketing—until COVID shut down the island’s tourism economy overnight. Out of work and unsure of what came next, someone in the industry tapped her on the shoulder and said: “Automotive needs your skills.”

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Three years later, Julie has gone from selling hotel beds to helping sell cars, from Hawaii retail to consulting with Kia in Houston. Along the way, she’s discovered the power of transferable skills, the importance of community, and why events like NAMAD and WOCAN are breaking down ceilings for women of color in automotive. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and proving that sometimes the detour is the destination.
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Takeaways

0:00 Intro — Meeting Julie Tabarejo at NAMAD

0:51 What WOCAN taught her about hope, struggle, and opportunity

2:47 From Hawaii tourism to automotive: the COVID pivot

3:19 How transferable skills turned hotel marketing into car sales success

5:03 The Kia rebrand: why disruption excites her

5:26 First NAMAD experience: finding representation and possibility

6:35 Why unstoppable energy defines this community

7:17 The power of support systems that walk with you, not just point you

8:50 Hawaii vs. Houston: two markets, two lessons in marketing

10:41 Bridging the gap between dealers and vendors as a consultant

11:53 Why dealers shouldn’t have to pretend they “get” marketing

12:35 Where to connect with Julie for insights (and Hawaii recommendations)

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Connect with Julie Tabarejo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-tabarejo/

NAMAD Sessions is brought to you by Mia and produced by the More Than Cars Media Network - https://www.mia.inc/