Kathryn Keown was done waiting.

As co-founder of Hot Yoga Republic in San Rafael with Jessica Smith, she’s used to running two studios, maintaining her corporate job in media sales, raising her daughter, and keeping a business on fire, literally. But the one thing she kept pushing to the bottom of her list was replacing her ten-year-old car.

“My dashboard was lighting up like a Christmas tree every time I turned the car on,” Kathryn says. “Every time I went to the shop it was another five grand. I couldn’t keep doing it.”

The traditional car buying process felt like a second job she didn’t have time for. Research. Negotiations. Paperwork. For someone who values efficiency and staying in her flow state, the whole thing felt designed to waste her time.

She did what most of us do, she put it off.

The Breaking Point: When Putting It Off Wasn’t an Option Anymore

Not long after opening Hot Yoga Republic’s second location, Kathryn’s car died in the parking lot. Simply died. She called around to find a buyer, and dealerships told her the model wasn’t even worth the tow. She was on her own.

That’s when a friend mentioned Cartelligent.

“At first, I thought, there’s no way someone can really handle this entire car-buying circus for me.’ It sounded too convenient,” she says. “But then I found out they’d helped my friend, and his friends and family, for over twelve years. Twelve years! Any company serving people I actually know and trust for that long? I was in.”

What Working with Cartelligent Actually Looked Like

Kathryn’s first conversation with Aaron at Cartelligent was refreshingly simple. No pressure. No jargon. Just a clear conversation about what she needed and could afford.

“Aaron is my people. Funny, has kids, heading up to Tahoe—he gets the lifestyle here. He asked what I’d be using the car for and what actually mattered to me. Clean lines. Great tech. Never touching a gas pump again. Space for my family and dogs. Something sleek, roomy, and fun.”

Based on that conversation, Aaron suggested the Honda Prologue as the perfect fit. A modern electric SUV with plenty of space, advanced safety features, and the kind of drive that makes the school run feel a little less like a sentence.

But here’s where Aaron really proved his value.

“He wasn’t pushing a make or model or trying to hit a quota,” Kathryn says. “He was focused entirely on what I needed. He found me the best EV lease deal in the state. He knew exactly what to do.”

While Kathryn focused on launching her second studio, Cartelligent handled:

• Comparing vehicles and recommending the best SUVs for her needs
• Finding the exact Honda Prologue she wanted within 72 hours
• Negotiating the lease terms to secure the best deal
• Managing all the paperwork 
• Steering her away from unnecessary dealership add-ons
• Arranging delivery so she never had to step inside a dealership

“After Aaron and I connected,I literally did not step foot in a single dealership,” she says. “Not one. Aaron walked me through the lease agreement, paired my phone, gave me  a quick tutorial and that was it. I went from ‘I need a car but don’t have time to deal with it’ to ‘I’m driving my new car without losing a single weekend.’”

The Real Value: Time, Confidence, and Peace of Mind

For Kathryn, working with Cartelligent delivered an instant return..

“People ask me if it was worth it to pay someone to help me buy a car. Absolutely. Think about the stress of not knowing if you’re getting ripped off. You walk onto a lot and you don’t stand a chance—they do this every day, and you don’t. Cartelligent buys thousands of cars a month. They actually know.”

She pauses. “Being able to stay focused on my business and my family while someone I trust handles a major purchase? That’s not just convenient. That’s indispensable.”

The numbers were part of the win. Cartelligent secured one of the best lease deals available on the Honda Prologue, saving her thousands over the life of the lease.

But the real win was personal.

“I got my time back. I got peace of mind. And I got a car I genuinely love with zero stress or second-guessing. People stop me all the time to ask about the Prologue. I tell them, ‘Love it. Absolutely LOVE IT.’”

Why This Matters for Busy Professionals and Parents

Entrepreneurs, working parents, and professionals just like Kathryn face the same dilemma: they need a reliable vehicle, but the traditional car buying process doesn’t fit their schedule.

If Kathryn’s story resonates with you, you’re not alone. Thousands of busy professionals, parents, and entrepreneurs have discovered that working with Cartelligent isn’t just convenient. It’s the smarter way to buy or lease a new car.

Ready to reclaim your time and experience the difference? Get started with Cartelligent today.