By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Gwen Hawver, CEO and founder of Vision Interface, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know Hawver in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: How long have you been in the industry?
Gwen Hawver: We are celebrating 20 years of business! I have been involved in SEMA since 2011. We started with my husband racing our '99 F250 in the diesel drags for fun, then sharing marketing tips in the forums that were popular back then (before Facebook changed the rules and killed the forums). Our focus was on helping the aftermarket diesel industry grow online. We helped companies grow in their online sales using "cloud cover strategies."
SEMA: What does your job entail?
GH: A little bit of everything. I enjoy strategizing with clients, working within their budget to help them get their message out and heard within their given industry. I also enjoy training people to understand what marketing entails, and how the rules have not changed for over 250 years, but the tools and methods are constantly changing.
SEMA: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
GH: The biggest challenge was establishing trust. We had to demonstrate that we knew our stuff. It took time for us to show what we can do for our ideal clients, but one diesel aftermarket reseller took that chance, and we were able to take him from $2,000 a month to $6,000 a month in online sales.
SEMA: What are three qualities that got you to where you are today?
GH: Persistence, honesty and determination. I was determined to make things work; I stayed on top of the current changes through the algorithm updates and changes designed to wipe out SEO tactics. I learned that marketing rules don't change even when the tools and way people search are constantly changing. When I do make mistakes, I am upfront and honest about them and work to fix them.
SEMA: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
GH: My main mentors were not in the automotive industry, but in marketing and business. We entered the automotive market starting with fun (diesel drags) and friends. My search for a mentor started out looking for up-to-date marketing training, so I could help clients that I helped get into business, stay in business. Back in 2009, I was watching Ryan Deiss and he was hosting the "Godfather of SEO" webinar. That is when we met John Limbocker, a serial entrepreneur who was offering an SEO training program, which we jumped on, and have been working with him ever since.
SEMA: What is the best career advice you have received?
GH: Take the time to work on your business, not just in your business.
SEMA: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
GH: Honestly, I had no intentions of working in the automotive industry until about 2010, when my husband and I started getting involved in racing for fun in the diesel drags with my '99 F250. That activity connected us with some cool people who were business owners––often mechanic shops and aftermarket parts resellers who were looking at expanding their reach in the diesel world. We had the skills and tools that could help. What keeps us here is the people. SEMA, especially the SBN, has been a great place to connect and be encouraged, working alongside other women in the automotive world.
SEMA: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
GH: I love to get out and spend time with my horses. I originally got the F250 for hauling them around and still use it for that purpose. I am also a homeschool and 4H mom and am regularly found participating in various activities.
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.
