Tamara Warren has spent decades test-driving thousands of cars, covering the automotive industry as a journalist, and watching one truth play out over and over again: women drive the majority of car-buying decisions, yet the industry still isn't built with them in mind. Takin’ Care of Lady Business Episode 168 From crash-test standards and product design to dealership experiences and executive leadership, the systems behind one of the biggest purchases of our lives continue to overlook the people making most of the buying decisions. The result isn't just frustrating – it's costly, inefficient, and, in some cases, dangerous. In this episode of Takin' Care of Lady Business, Jennifer Justice sits down with Tamara Warren, Founder and CEO of Le Car Inc., to unpack the hidden power mechanics of the automotive industry. They explore why representation has to start long before the marketing campaign, how women can make more informed and empowered purchasing decisions, and why designing for women isn't just good equity, it's good business. This conversation isn't really about cars. It's about what happens when the people driving the economy aren't the ones shaping the products, systems, and decisions that affect them. What You'll Learn Why women's purchasing power still isn't reflected in how cars are designed or sold How product design, leadership, and representation shape the customer experience long before a sale is made Why knowledge—not intimidation—is one of the greatest sources of leverage when making a major purchase How Tamara built Le Car by rejecting the traditional business model and putting consumer trust first Highlights: (00:00) Meet Tamara Warren (02:47) The everyday ways cars still fail women (06:26) How the automotive industry became a system built by—and for—men (16:04) Why traditional negotiation advice doesn't always work for women (30:27) The safety gap: what crash testing still misses (33:48) Why representation in leadership changes the products we buy (38:38) Building Le Car to empower women before they ever step into a dealership (43:19) The worst business advice Tamara ever received About Our Guest: Tamara Warren is the founder of Le Car, a Techstars company built to validate women in the automotive space. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Tamara spent decades as a journalist and author covering transportation, lifestyle, and business for top outlets including The New York Times, Car and Driver, Elle, Esquire, and The Verge, as well as serving as a jurist for the World Car of the Year awards. After recognizing that women control the vast majority of car-buying decisions yet remain overlooked by traditional auto design, marketing, and dealership networks, she launched Le Car to disrupt the industry. Today, she shares her perspective on dismantling male-dominated spaces, reclaiming female economic power in major life purchases, and proving that women belong in the driver’s seat, literally and figuratively. Tamara Warren’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaralwarren/ Tamara Warren’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamarawarren/ Explore Le Car Inc.: https://www.lecar.co/ About Jennifer Justice and The Justice Dept. JJ’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-justice-354a0b99 The Justice Dept: https://www.thejusticedept.com/ JJ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferjusticel/ Newsletter: https://tkolb-newsletter-a50814.beehiiv.com/ JJ’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakinCareOfLadyBusiness The Justice Dept. is a female-focused advisory, consulting, and law firm advocating for female founders, talent, execs, and brands. We represent bo$$ ladies to make them 💰💰. If you love what you hear, please subscribe and share with a friend. This is a Lady Business LLC Production.
