By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Melissa Scheu, sales manager at Unlimited Performance, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know Scheu 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?
Melissa Scheu: I have been working in the family business for 15 years, with the last 12 years being full-time. In 1985, my parents opened a local speed shop. Rather than going to daycare like most kids my age did, I spent my days hanging out with the mechanics and running around the shop while both my parents worked.
The part I enjoy most is that no day is the same. The type of business my family has built over the years allows for the flexibility of having each day not like the last. We pride ourselves in specializing in a diverse range of different projects, including complete drivetrain restorations and mods on race cars.
SN: What is the most challenging part of running your business or job?
MS: The most challenging part of the job is trying to always deliver the best product, job and up-to-date information for our customers, while being a female in a male-dominated industry. We are constantly learning, growing and trying to be knowledgeable in all different aspects of this industry.
SN: How many years have you been in the industry and what was your first industry job?
MS: Professionally, I have been in the industry for 15 years, with my first industry job being a parts driver.
When it came time to start working, I started as a parts driver in the family business. As time went on, I moved to stock/parts girl, then into a service writer position for the shop side of the business. After five years of managing the shop, I transitioned into the sales side of the business. I eventually took on managing the storefront and looking after all purchasing for the company. I also took on marketing, building and managing our social media pages, assisting in developing our website, attending local trade shows/car shows and planning shop events.
SN: What are three qualities that got you to where you are today?
MS: I believe my determination, patience and integrity have contributed to where I am today. These qualities feed my drive to learn and develop myself professionally, while staying true to myself through honesty and taking pride and ownership in the work that I do.
SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
MS: I think the biggest challenge for me was being seen as an equal by peers and customers. And most importantly, being allowed to have a voice in a conversation while being respected.
I will be the first to admit that I do not know everything. But I will always be pushing myself to learn and grow. The more I can experience, the more I can bring to the position and the business. I believe that as a female in this industry, we need to give ourselves grace. There will be days we will feel defeated but tomorrow is a new day.
SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
MS: My dad. He has and continues to be my biggest role model. After watching both my parents build their business, the hard work and dedication it took, it has always been something I have admired. I have been extremely fortunate to have such an incredible person in my corner, being my biggest supporter and always cheering me on. The countless hours he has spent teaching me and encouraging me with endless patience is remarkable. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him knows just what an amazing and kind person he is. The knowledge and passion he has for this industry is immeasurable.
SN: What is the best career advice you have received?
MS: I think the best advice I was ever given was not given in relation to a career, but when I attended the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School. He told us in his classroom session that there were three things to remember to be successful: be calm, have confidence and have control. I think this applies to life in general, not just in racing. It is something that I say to myself all the time in different moments of life. Keep calm on the bad or difficult days, have confidence in yourself that you can accomplish whatever it is you set your mind to, and to have control of what is in front of you. Take control of constant learning, being organized and remember to have fun and enjoy the life you are living.
SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
MS: Growing up around an automotive shop along with the drag racing world, it all unfolded naturally. Besides working personally in the industry, I grew up drag racing alongside my father and older brother. I started in JR Dragsters and then went on to get my Top Dragster license. Having grown up around cars, it has always been a passion of mine. It's in my blood. Getting to be involved in racing with my father and brother has been a shared hobby and something we do as a family, so working within the industry is an extension of the passion we all share.
SN: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
MS: I don't think I have just one specific person who has been the most influential. I would say watching other women within our industry has been the biggest impact for me to push forward to new goals. There are so many incredibly talented women within the automotive and drag racing world that it fuels my drive to experience and learn more each day.
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.
