Travis Gilmer interned at Vintage Defenders and gained experience in automotive sales, marketing, accounting, and business operations.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose to intern at Vintage Defenders because it directly aligns with my long term goal of building and running a business in the automotive industry. This opportunity allowed me to gain firsthand experience with the inner workings of the industry, from sales and marketing to product distribution. Throughout my time here, I’ve been able to network with experienced professionals, many of whom have successfully started their own businesses. Their insight into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship has been invaluable in helping me understand what it truly takes to become a business owner. This internship has not only expanded my skills but also strengthened my vision for my future in the automotive world.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
I worked across multiple areas of the company, gaining experience in accounting, marketing, sales, mechanical work, and customer and vendor relations. I began by assisting my site supervisor with accounting tasks, which gave me a strong understanding of the company’s financial processes. After the first few weeks, I transitioned into marketing and sales, where I was responsible for emailing and calling customers interested in our products to help secure sales. On the marketing side, I supported the team with photo and video shoots, helping create content for the company’s social media accounts. In the mechanical department, I assisted my site supervisor with installing company products and services, as well as coordinating shop to shop communications for outsourced work. I also gained valuable experience in customer and vendor relations by representing the company at events, meeting clients and other vendors, and building connections within the off-road community. This included reaching out to customers about new products and collaborating with vendors on outsourced projects and product development.
What new knowledge and skills did you develop in this internship?
Through this internship, I gained several new transferable skills while also refining abilities I had previously developed. Many of the new skills came from the marketing and sales side of my role, where I was tasked with emailing and cold calling customers, either reconnecting with those we hadn’t heard from in a while or introducing them to updated versions of products they already owned. Prior to this internship, I had little experience with direct customer outreach, so learning how to cold call, write effective emails, and handle follow up communication was a valuable new experience for me. After training and creating call scripts and tracking sheets, I became more confident in my communication skills and gained a deeper understanding of the company’s products. I also had the chance to strengthen existing skills based on the company’s needs. I improved my accounting abilities by assisting with QuickBooks to help my site supervisor organize financial records. I applied my mechanical knowledge, which I had developed from years of working on vehicles, to the installation of the company’s products. Whether assisting hands on or advising other technicians, I was able to adapt my skills to meet the specific requirements of each project.
What was the most satisfying part of your internship?
The most satisfying part of my internship was working closely with the sales team. Being part of their fast paced environment was an experience that will stick with me for years to come. I was able to observe how each sales representative understood their daily goals, handled challenges efficiently, and minimized potential issues before they escalated. I contributed by assisting with sales directly, communicating with customers about our products and services and helping to secure orders. Another way I supported the team was by coordinating outsourced work when needed. If a customer’s vehicle required services from another shop, the sales team would let me know what was needed, and I would handle all shop to shop communications to ensure the vehicle was scheduled and booked as quickly as possible. Working alongside the sales team gave me a clear understanding of how they operated, from using internal systems to track customer needs, to knowing exactly who to contact, to having extensive product knowledge across a variety of vehicles. This hands-on experience not only improved my skills but also gave me valuable insight into what makes a sales team effective.
What was the most significant contribution you made?
I believe my most significant contribution during my internship was creating a company Excel sheet that the sales team used to track the status of customer inquiries about a newly released product. The sheet included essential information such as each customer’s phone number, email, location, vehicle type, and the specific variation of the product they were interested in. As the weeks went by, this spreadsheet became an essential tool for the sales representatives. It allowed them to see whether a customer had been contacted, when the last interaction occurred, what was discussed, and when to schedule the next follow up. This level of organization ensured everyone was on the same page, minimized overlap in outreach, and allowed each sales representative to focus on their assigned customers. While it was a relatively simple tool, it proved to be important by increasing communication, reducing confusion, and improving overall efficiency. It quickly became something the team used daily to stay organized and maintain consistent follow ups with potential customers.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
This internship has had a significant impact on my future goals. I’ve had the opportunity to be part of a team dedicated to generating revenue, building connections with customers, and maintaining strong relationships with vendors in the automotive industry. Along the way, I’ve also had meaningful conversations with my site supervisor about his journey on how he started his business, the challenges he faced, and what it takes to sustain long term success. Since I want to start and run my own business one day, the skills and knowledge I gained in this role have made me even more determined to follow this career path. This internship has not only given me practical experience but also allowed me to build valuable relationships with people across different areas of the industry. Overall, it has been a good way to get my foot in the door and prepare for the future I envision in the automotive world
What advice do you have for other students as they search for their internship?
My advice for students searching for or preparing for an internship is to stay open to learning new things, even if they seem difficult or overwhelming at first. Finding an internship can be challenging, so I recommend choosing something that genuinely interests you and offers the opportunity to learn regardless of whether you plan to stay in that field long term. You’ll still walk away with valuable experience and insight. In the end, the most important thing is to find an opportunity that excites you and will help you grow, because the lessons and connections you gain will stay with you beyond the internship.