Tracey Stephens

A TAUNTON mum is proving it's possible to get the work-life balance right while cutting a career in a male-dominated job.

Tracey Stephens, who served in the RAF, works at Taunton Ford and has three children.

She has a 13-year-old daughter, Samantha, toddler Cameron, aged 22 months, and her second son Jayden, who arrived five months ago.

But this hasn't stopped Tracey getting fully involved once more in the world of car sales, usually regarded as a male-dominated profession - but one that's increasingly being taken up by women.

Tracey's life in the motor trade came after a spell in the RAF, when Samantha was born, and then work as a flight attendant for an airline at Bristol Airport.

She then responded to an advertisement in the County Gazette from Taunton Ford seeking new sales staff.

She was appointed to a position in Yeovil, where she rapidly established herself and was beginning to win repeat business.

But when she returned to work after Cameron's birth she was offered promotion to sales controller and a move to Taunton.

"At first I was reluctant - enjoying repeat business is something that every sales person wants - but making the move to Taunton was common sense as it meant I was working just five minutes from home so could see more of my children," said Tracey.

"I have been lucky because everyone has been very supportive.

"The company allows me to leave an hour early every day to I can see more of my children before bedtime and my husband, Randy, works shifts as a chef so he is around a lot, too.

"We are given superb back-up by our excellent and flexible childminder and there is also great help from grandparents, too, who luckily relish their involvement with the children.

"The way my new-found career in the motor trade has worked out since I joined Foray Motor Group four years ago in February shows that working mums can hold down a demanding job and fit it round family life.

"I would encourage anyone who has a young family but feels they want to get their professional life back on track to give it a go, especially if they have an understanding employer and a strong relationship with family and friends.

"I love my children to bits and working allows me to help give them a better quality of life. Equally as important, it lets me fulfil a role of my own outside the home without anyone else losing out.

"It has worked very well all round and I'm really pleased I have risen to the challenge."

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