News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

“She Is SEMA” Member Spotlight: Words of Encouragement From Coelette Chenier of BAJA FORGED

Thu, 09/17/2020 - 09:39

By Ashley Reyes

Coelette Chenier is this week’s #SheIsSEMA Spotlight Member. Chenier is the marketing director at BAJA FORGED and a prior SBN Select Committee volunteer. Her demonstrated history of working in the automotive aftermarket industry has made her a vital contributor to the industry, and she has some great advice to share with SBN members in her Q&A with SEMA.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Coelette Chenier: To surround myself with people smarter than me. That truly is one of the most impactful choices one can ever make in their life.

SEMA: What keeps you involved in this industry?

CC: Passion. It's like tasting chocolate for the first time and then asking me to eat peas instead. I love to drive. I love off-road racing. I love my industry family. You just don’t give up something you love.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

CC: Either pre-running in Baja, wheeling in Johnson Valley, riding my dirt bike or just hanging out with my family.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

CC: Prepared! You must always be prepared or you miss an opportunity.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?

CC: Carroll Shelby

Fill out this form to be a part of the #SheIsSEMA family. You will have the opportunity to be featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and be recognized on the www.sema.org/sheissema website. While there, check out other inspirational women who are leading the industry and are paving the path for future success.

Not an SBN member? Fill out this form to join today.

“She Is SEMA” Member Spotlight: Words of Encouragement From Coelette Chenier of BAJA FORGED

Thu, 09/17/2020 - 09:39

By Ashley Reyes

Coelette Chenier is this week’s #SheIsSEMA Spotlight Member. Chenier is the marketing director at BAJA FORGED and a prior SBN Select Committee volunteer. Her demonstrated history of working in the automotive aftermarket industry has made her a vital contributor to the industry, and she has some great advice to share with SBN members in her Q&A with SEMA.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Coelette Chenier: To surround myself with people smarter than me. That truly is one of the most impactful choices one can ever make in their life.

SEMA: What keeps you involved in this industry?

CC: Passion. It's like tasting chocolate for the first time and then asking me to eat peas instead. I love to drive. I love off-road racing. I love my industry family. You just don’t give up something you love.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

CC: Either pre-running in Baja, wheeling in Johnson Valley, riding my dirt bike or just hanging out with my family.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

CC: Prepared! You must always be prepared or you miss an opportunity.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?

CC: Carroll Shelby

Fill out this form to be a part of the #SheIsSEMA family. You will have the opportunity to be featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and be recognized on the www.sema.org/sheissema website. While there, check out other inspirational women who are leading the industry and are paving the path for future success.

Not an SBN member? Fill out this form to join today.

HRIA Member Spotlight: The Camaros That Placed Dutchboys Hot Rods on the National Map

Thu, 09/17/2020 - 09:18

By Ashley Reyes

Dutchboys Hot Rods’ award-winning '69 Chevrolet Camaro (interior).

Dutchboys Hot Rods is the latest company to be recognized by the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) member spotlight program. Widely acknowledged for the company’s ’69 Camaro that displayed at the 2019 SEMA Show, the vehicle received the Goodguys 2020 Street Machine of the Year Award, a GM Design Award and was also a Top 40 contender in the 2019 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

Company owner Paul VanNus recently shared the story of how this father-son business came to be, provided details on the build that defined their breakthrough moment and shared what new projects he is currently working on.

SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop. How did you start?

Paul VanNus: My dad Joe and I started out in the collision industry and always had side projects going on in the hot-rod arena. One day I decided I wanted to do more and expand my projects beyond a “hobby.” I wanted to start a business in the craft, and so in 2010, I rented a building and Dutchboys began. We got busier and busier and the word was getting out about Dutchboys and their quality work. My dad left the collision business and joined me.

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment and who helped you along the way?

PV: In 2015, Dutchboys built a ’71 Camaro and displayed it in the Holley booth at the SEMA Show. The visibility and contacts grew exponentially after that show. Dutchboys was now on the national map. Working on Mark Stielow’s projects has also been a catalyst for the business. The folks at BASF have been great business partners over the years with Dutchboys.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2020. What cool projects are you working on?

PV: Dutchboys is busier than ever. With eight guys in the shop, seven of the eight are working on Gen-1 Camaros (Dutchboys Hot Rods specialty). Today in the shop we have two ’69 Gran Torinos we are building for brothers. Pretty cool. We have a number of Gen-1 Camaros in various stages of build.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young folks contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?

PV: Stay focused and stay in your lane; don’t let social media distract you. And don’t get wrapped up in what others are doing. Stay with what makes your shop special.

Dutchboys Hot Rods’ award-winning '69 Chevrolet Camaro.

Dutchboys Hot Rods in Vicksburg, Michigan.