The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Melanie
Henry, communications and traffic manager at Martin & Company Advertising, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know Henry in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: What do you enjoy most about working at your current company?
Melanie Henry: What I enjoy most about working here is that my talents and creativity are appreciated, as well as the opportunities for growth.
SEMA News: What is the most challenging part of your business or job?
MH: The most challenging (and exciting) part of my job is taking a client's idea and making it come to life.
SN: How many years have you been in the industry, and what was your first industry job?
MH: I have been in the automotive industry for 10 years. My start was holding car shows!
SN: What three qualities got you to where you are today?
MH: Three qualities that got me to where I am would be determination, passion, and exuberance. These qualities have benefited me by providing me with the energy and drive to follow what I am enthusiastic about.
SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
MH: The biggest challenge I have faced in this industry is to be taken seriously. For example, this year, I am celebrating 10 years of holding car shows. A man who had never been to one of my shows before was looking at the cars while judging was taking place. I was judging cars, and this man said to me "Do you even know enough about cars to be doing what you're doing?" I stuck my hand out to shake his and said, "Hi, I'm Melanie, and I run Mel's Car Shows." He went on to ask me how long I've been holding shows and commented about "utilizing the space better" for the event.
My biggest accomplishments in this industry would be receiving the title of 2022 WTAJ's Remarkable Woman, earning the title of Ms. Motorama, and celebrating 10 years of holding car shows. To date, I have raised over $160,000 for nonprofits and charities in need.
SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
MH: My role models in the industry include Jessi Combs, Bogi, and my boss, Zan Martin.
These women are leaders and trailblazers in this industry by following their beliefs while teaching and encouraging others along the way.
SN: What is the best career advice you have received?
MH: The best career advice I ever received was very simple advice; keep working hard.
SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry?
MH: I have always loved cars but never thought of working in the automotive industry until I got a job. Then I knew I had to stay in the automotive industry! What keeps me in the automotive industry is the constant opportunity to learn.
SN: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
MH: The most influential person in my career and goals would be my Dad. I grew up watching him work on cars, he was always willing to teach me and is my biggest supporter.
Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website.