By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Keri Porter, owner of Discover 4x4 Adventures, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Get to know Porter in her interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: What do you enjoy most about working at your current company?
Keri Porter: I really enjoy helping others experience adventure and grow in knowledge.
SN: What is the most challenging part of your business or job?
KP: Finding time to wear all the "hats," as many small-business owners know. My husband and I work together well as a team trying to tackle all the things that need to be done.
SN: How many years have you been in the industry, and what was your first industry job?
KP: Off-roading started as a hobby 20 years ago and became a full-time passion about seven years ago when we helped create a strong presence in the local community.
SN: What three qualities got you to where you are today?
KP: One: willingness to put in the work. I'm a firm believer that anything can be accomplished with determination and the willingness to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Two: willingness to learn. I love to learn new things, but I am a hands-on learner. I may make a couple [of] mistakes getting there, but I'll figure it out! Three: being flexible and a good problem solver. Very rarely does anything play out the way we expect it to.
SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
KP: My biggest challenge is myself. Like many other women, I struggle with imposter syndrome. I am a people-pleaser by nature and sometimes that causes me to lack confidence and doubt myself. My biggest accomplishment is running a successful business. We try to offer products that are affordable to everyone and still be able to make a living.
SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?
KP: My first role model in the industry was Jessi Combs. I'm from a generation where women didn't get in the garage and pick up tools. When I saw her doing it, it made the connection for me. I then started getting out into the garage with my husband wrenching and welding together. Now, we host together events geared towards women who want to learn to wrench on their vehicles and work with tools.
Emily Miller, professional racecar driver and creator of the Rebelle Rally, is another role model. Emily exuberates confidence, knowledge, gumption and kindness. Her event, the Rebelle Rally is a top-class production. When I participated, I learned some of my strengths and weaknesses all the while inadvertently building my confidence.
There are so many women within the SBN that I also look up to. Last year, I met many of them while working on the SBN Bronco Build. They are the reason I joined SBN. I am looking forward to connecting more with them.
SN: What is the best career advice you have received?
KP: If you don't ask, the answer is already "no." Opportunity will present itself a great deal more if you are willing to ask the questions.
SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry?
KP: No. I grew up wanting to be a mom, but what people don't tell you is that your kids grow up and there is life after they move out. I started looking for full-time work in the industry a year before I started my business. Off-roading had become my passion, and I knew I wanted [to do] something off-road related but [I] couldn't find much available in our area. I love what I do now. I can't believe I get to call this work!
SN: Who was the most influential person on your career goals?
KP: My husband. He's always been very supportive. When I doubt myself, he does not. He contributes to our business just as much as I do. We make a great team!
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.