By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Riley Schlick-Trask, owner of Riley's Rebuilds LLC, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know Schlick-Trask in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: How many years have you been with your current company?
Riley Schlick-Trask: Six years.
SEMA: What is the most challenging part of running your business or job?
RS: Managing a business from afar. I am in college 1,500 miles away from the garage. I run supplies, customer service and social media from here, while my 15-year-old brother runs the shop with four high-school girls.
SEMA: How many years have you been in the industry and what was your first industry job?
RS: I have been working in the garage since I was little. My first job in the industry was rebuilding carburetors.
SEMA: What are three qualities that got you to where you are today?
RS: My drive, tenacity and outgoing personality.
SEMA: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
RS: Being a young woman in the classic-car industry would seem like a minefield, but it is not. I have 100,000 grandfathers and followers who want to see me succeed. So, if I have a troll who pops up, they deal with it. My biggest accomplishment was being awarded the Jessi Combs Rising Star Award at the SEMA Show last year. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the industry to have thought of me like this.
SEMA: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
RS: Bogi Lateiner, Ida Zetterstrom, Stacey David, Wayne Carini and my dad. My dad taught me how to do the work and how to talk to adults. All of my other mentors have helped me through this industry with advice and friendship.
SEMA: What is the best career advice you have received?
RS: "Yes and..." My dad taught me this. When you start out, your answer to (almost) every opportunity should be, "Yes, and what can I do to make your project, event, show, video, etc. better?" Even if "yes" is scary and you are nervous, say "yes" and then figure it out.
SEMA: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
RS: I have been in and out of the garage since I was small. When I got into the industry I was greeted by welcoming and supportive people who all love the car industry--that is what keeps me here.
SEMA: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
RS: My dad; he is the partner, supporter and truth-speaker in my life.
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.