Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company.
Charlene Bower: Bower Motorsports Media is a company that was built off the need for PR in the motorsports world. As an advertising sales executive at a print magazine, I would continually ask for PR, but never receive anything. I travel all over the country and meet some of the best racers in the U.S. I have hosted nine episodes of Pirate4x4 TV Live! and currently host JKOwners TV and UTVWeekly TV. They are webcasts specific to the off-road market and highlight the racers, companies, products and events. I have an assistant who keeps me on track. My dad and brother help with video and pictures. And of course my mom who is our backbone and keeps us fed and happy. The most important part of what I do is making sure that the people that I work with are successful and happy. If I help a racer with a press release and a few media partners print it, then I have succeeded. If I help a company generate sales, and catch a buzz about their product, then I have succeeded. If we work hand in hand with the execution of an event, and the stands are full and the media is there to cover the event, then I have succeeded.
NNBW: What role do you play in the company?
Bower: I am the owner, chaos creator, press release writer, video taker and editor, picture taker and editor, Web site designer, proposal writer, excel master, salesperson.
NNBW: How did you get into this?
Bower: I fell into it, kinda. I was raised riding a dirt bike and around the off-road industry. My very first job was in a motorcycle shop changing tires! I moved up quickly to the floor selling accessories and then into the office where I learned the backend. I eventually managed arguably the largest parts department at Chaparral Motorsports, and then moved to manage a multi-line dealership in northern California. When I decided that retail management had taken up enough of my life, I hooked up my trailer to my truck, loaded up my cat (Sprocket) and headed to the dirt! After six months of wandering from sand dunes to dirt parks and back to the sand dunes, I found myself in communications with multiple media outlets. I went to work with a media company that managed two print magazines, two Web sites and two event series. I was an account executive (sales) but did a lot of editorial content. I saw the need for PR, so when I decided to leave the magazine, it was a leap of faith to fire up Bower Motorsports Media. With the support and the respect of many, I am lucky to continue doing what I am doing now.
NNBW: What is something no one knows about your job?
Bower: I spend at least 12-18 hours a week on the road traveling to events and clients.
NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Bower: This is it! I am creating exactly what I dreamed up, just adjusting to the needs of the time.
NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?
Bower: I am a dirt bike rider at heart. I like to do it, but haven't been able to lately. I enjoy being able to be with friends and laugh. Being on the move a lot allows me to meet lots of new people. I like to listen to people's stories ... but I guess that could be called working, too.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Bower: Be professional and enjoy the sport. If you enjoy the sport and understand it, then you can do anything. Take every job that you can, and learn from it.
NNBW: If you could have one super-power, what would it be and why would you want it?
Bower: Don't know the specific name, but I want to be able to jump from city to city not a time machine, but something better than a jet. But I would go for a jet, if you know anyone! Why? I attend multiple events a week and my biggest challenge is down time with travel. I account for over 16-36 hours a week spent in the truck, driving.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Bower: Think about your destination, but don't worry if you stray, because the most important thing is what you've learned along the way.
NNBW: What do you like most about your job?
Bower: It is gratifying to see racers win and succeed. Companies get their products out there. Events with packed stands and have media attention. I love the relationships and helping people win inside.
NNBW: What five words would most people use to describe you?
Bower: Detail-oriented, personable, go-getter, workaholic, spectacular.
The basics:
Name: Charlene Bower, owner, Bower Motorsports Media
How long have you been in this job? June 1 was one year in business
How long in the profession? Off-road: 15 years; media: Four years
Education: Santa Clara University, business major, communication minor
