By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Alisa O'Banion, president and CEO at Texas Microfiber, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know O'Banion in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: How many years have you been with your current company and what do you enjoy most about working there?
Alisa O'Banion: I started Texas Microfiber 15 years ago after being laid off from a corporate executive position in 2008. The things I enjoy the most is the day-to-day problem solving and planning that needs to be implemented three to six months in advance. We are constantly adding new products to our offering and this is at least a six-month process from start to finish.
SN: What is the most challenging part of running your business or job?
AO: The most challenging part of running my business is the juggling of financials and inventory. We have a lot of products coming in and a lot of products shipping out. It's a constant challenge to accurately plan what will sell and the lead time is lengthy to replenish stock. We also are challenged with the unknown issues of an importer which can present themselves outside of any pre-planned efforts on our part.
SN: How many years have you been in the industry and what was your first industry job?
AO: I have been in the automotive industry for 15 years. This has been the first automotive industry job I have held. My background is commercial interior design which was my focus prior to starting my company.
SN: What are three qualities that got you to where you are today?
AO: The three qualities that have worked for me are resiliency, resourcefulness and creativity. These traits have allowed me to pivot my career goal, find my niche in the industry and constantly make changes to adjust to the unknown and frequent chaotic world we live in.
SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
AO: My biggest challenges have been to compete with the big boys and be taken seriously. This has shifted somewhat with reputation and time in the industry but is still present, nevertheless.
SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
AO: Without naming names, my mentors are persons on the very large national/international corporate side who see how I have mastered the art of international sourcing and importer with predictability and reliability. They have been particularly supportive in times of unpredictability in the country and allowed me to do my job and provide effective solutions. Being the company's main pulse reader of the industry's direction brings value to our interactions and benefits us both.
SN: What is the best career advice you have received?
AO: The best career advice I have ever received is, "it will be there in the morning." What that means is you don't need to spend 16 hours per day to solve the day's problems as they will be there in the morning along with the next day's challenges, and you are better served to stop, eat, relax and sleep in order to recharge and take on these challenges effectively and with good judgement.
SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry?
AO: I have not always wanted to work in the automotive industry. Now that I am in the industry, I love it and find the most enjoyable part is the people I deal with on a day-to-day basis. Being exposed to the automotive industry has brought me a fresh perspective on how my creative talents can extend into areas that are new, allows fresh thinking as well as challenges that can be celebrated. Additionally, I have met a lot of stellar people along the way that I consider close friends.
SN: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
AO: My father is always in my ear telling me to put a five-year plan in place. When I find myself outside of this plan--we all get busy and five years fly by like lightning--I always come back to this process. It is grounding and forces you to examine all the key components of your business and life. Being equipped with the facts of why, what and how to make solid day-to-day decisions is crucial to executing a plan successfully and seeing your hard work pay off and offer you the opportunity to look back and celebrate your win.
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.
