Just a year and a half ago Hunter Castaneda was working as a hairdresser and had no intention of leaving her job.
It wasn’t until one night when she overheard her father, a longtime Cornwell Quality Tools distributor, talk about how busy he was and how he had people asking him to service their shop, but he wasn’t able to because he didn’t have enough time that she began to reconsider.
In somewhat of a laughing manner, she asked him if she could help – not thinking he would take her seriously.
“He was like, ‘Well, why not?’” Castaneda said.
After that night, the two conjured up a plan and Castaneda soon found herself running her own route through Henderson to Las Vegas, Nevada.
“It was scary to go from one industry to a completely different industry but I’m glad I did; it’s just like with anything, the more you do it, the easier it gets,” Castaneda said. “It didn’t take long before I found a routine.”
Continuing the lucky streak
When Castaneda started her new gig, her father saw this as an opportunity to upgrade his truck. Not only did he give his daughter his 2016 24’ Hino, but, as she was hoping, his luck with the truck as well.
In fact, she didn’t even want to make changes to it to make it her own.
“He had so much luck with that truck that I didn’t want to change it,” she said.
Whether that is the reason for her smooth transition or not, Castaneda has been enjoying her career change and learning the ropes of running her own business and how to sell tools.
“Everybody has been super friendly,” she said. “I can truly be myself and it doesn't feel like I'm going to work. It takes a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of effort but when done right, it's super successful and I’m very grateful for what it's given me.”
And since Castaneda is new to the tool-selling industry, she’s upfront with her customers and admits that she probably asks them more questions than they ask her.
“I don't ever pretend I know what I'm talking about because I don't, and I'm pretty sure they know that,” she said. “They're super helpful, and they love to give me as much information as I ask for.”
Standing out
Castaneda runs her business like her father does, but not because that’s how he taught her but because it makes her stand out.
“We are truly there for our customers on another level that’s not just business — it’s friendship, it’s consistency, and it’s service on top of selling them the tools,” she notes.
Castaneda doesn’t let anything stand in her way, including the fact that she’s a woman who is new to the industry.
“Being a woman in the industry definitely has its ups and downs but I can easily say that the pros outweigh the cons,” she says. “I receive a lot of respect from my friends, family, customers, and even strangers on the road, for taking on such a male-dominated industry.
It all comes down to being true to myself and to my customers. Being honest with my customers; they really enjoy my questions in learning what they work on which then helps me become much more confident in the tools I’m selling. And confidence is key as a woman!”
