Meet Karen Boll, the newly minted president of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce for 2012. Growing up in a Hometown duplex with five siblings, Boll has burst through her share of glass ceilings. She was the first female salesperson for Frito Lay, and fought to become the first girl to take shop classes at Oak Lawn Community High School. Boll resides in Oak Lawn with her husband, Ken, and those of her six children still left at home. Today, Boll is a sales associate for Hawk Ford. She also has a top-secret recipe for taco salad using taco-flavored Doritos.

Oak Lawn Patch: What was it like growing up in a Hometown duplex?

Karen Boll: I had the most amazing childhood. Our house was big. It had two bathrooms, a fireplace, and a pool in the back yard. It was one of the biggest houses in Hometown at the time.

Oak Lawn Patch: What was your first job?

Boll: Burger King was my first real job. I worked at National Food Sore which became A&P. I also worked at the Branding Iron Restaurant [where part of Advocate Christ Medical Center] is. I worked two and three jobs a lot. I had to help myself.

Oak Lawn Patch: Where did you go to college?

Boll: I couldn’t afford to go away to school so I went to Moraine Valley Community College. I got an associate’s degree in early childhood education and taught at Penny Lane when it was at Brandt school. I also got an travel agent’s certificate and worked at All Around Travel for five years.

Oak Lawn Patch: Where did you meet your husband?

Boll: We met at Frito Lay where I was a truck driver for 12 years. I was the only female salesperson at that time. [My husband] went into management. In those days you couldn’t have two people from the same family in management. I went on to work at John M. Smythe Furniture for 12 years.

Oak Lawn Patch: You must have eaten a lot of Fritos?

Boll: I’ve had my share. My husband is a manager for Frito-Lay in Bedford Park. Back in the 1970s when we met it was in Chicago Ridge. We used to get free corn chips. I love Doritos.

Oak Lawn Patch: How do you approach selling cars?

Boll: I’m not the killer salesperson. I look at it as helping customers. I’m going to help you be less fearful of the old stereotype of car salesmen as liars. There are many of us trying to make a living just like you. I’m going to help you get a car, make a decision, and help you with credit issues. Our job is to listen. If you tell us the truth we’ll help you find a car. Some customers don’t even want to give us their driver’s license.

Oak Lawn Patch: What are your goals as chamber president?

Boll: I want to visit as many business owners as I can this year. I cannot believe how many businesses there are in Oak Lawn that I don’t know anything about.

Another one of my goals is to spruce up the chamber office. If I were a prospective business owner walking into the chamber office for the first time, I would not be impressed. It’s not inviting.

Oak Lawn Patch: How has the economy affected Oak Lawn business owners?

Boll: We hear a lot about the bad economy but I don’t believe it. There are people with money and they want to spend it. Every flight I’ve gone on is packed and destinations are filled. I’m in the car business—people have money. I’ve gone to the casinos and they’re packed. It's not that people can’t find jobs; they just can’t find jobs they want to work.

Oak Lawn Patch: What is your advice for chamber members?

Boll: Advertise, advertise, advertise. You got to spend money to make money. Also, instead of asking what the chamber can do for you, ask what can you do for the chamber to let us help you?

Oak Lawn Patch: What do you tell your kids?

Boll: Work hard and be honest. You may not necessarily enjoy what you’re doing, but you meet wonderful people on jobs and they can take you to another place. Also run a contest or try to give something away. That always excites people. Give a free car wash, distribute cake pops; it doesn’t cost the business and you’re gaining a customer.

Oak Lawn Patch: Cubs or Sox?

Boll: I’m a Cubs fan but not all of my family is. We’re pretty much divided. My kids mostly like the Sox. I don’t know what’s wrong with them.