WHICH WAY TO THE BEACH
By Dr. Lorie A. Tuma
This podcast features candid conversations with women who work in the outdoor recreation and power sports industry, specifically those that have built substantial careers while facing adversity, lack of experience, experiencing harassment and discrimination. These are the women that found a way around, through, and beyond ALL these challenges and more! Join us for some pretty gritty topics, stories, experiences -- and a few laughs along the way! #sayYES #goFIGHTwin
WHICH WAY TO THE BEACHJul 26, 2023
This Way To The Beach | Episode 3
In today’s episode of Which Way to the Beach, I have the honor of sharing my recent presentation before the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, as part of their Lead and Learn series that took place on August 16, 2023.
As part of my presentation, I was able to invite to three guest speakers, all of which are connected to me though great friendships and you guessed it -- supercharged JETSKIS! I am so honored to introduce you to Amy Dorey, a professor at Ferris State University – who recounts her visits to Florida following the pandemic watching me tackle personal and professional challenges, make friends in a totally different state, and navigate a leadership role for Jet Rider Nation
I am also pleased to host powerhouse, entrepreneur, and industry riding changemaker Renee Hill, the CEO and Founder of Nauti Girls Crew (an all-woman jet ski community in Florida) And last but not least, you will meet the creative marketing genius and CO-Founder of Great Lakes Ski Riders, Gabrielle Wells. Ironically, Gabrielle serves as an admin for her jetski riding community – which is also located in my home state of Michigan !!
Stay tuned guys, this one is extra special !
Women Leaders in Outdoor Recreation & Powersports
ALISA GROSS, GENERAL MANAGER – ROCKSTAR POWERSPORTS, BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA
There is no question, the shopping, researching, buying and service experience is difficult for women that ride and work in powered motorsports. One of the reasons is because sales and service careers in motorsports have been historically occupied and dominated by men. And maybe rightly so. For a very long time, few women had an interest in working, selling, or providing service in this industry. But that is changing – and very quickly!
This week, I will talk with Alisa Gross, the General Manager at Rockstar Powersports in Brooksville, Florida. Alisa started her career in powersports at the age of 19 when she accepted a part-time position working in the parts division of a small jet ski shop in Georgia. She never imagined this would be her future, but after a few months, she started to see herself there long-term. She accepted a full-time position, eventually moved into finance, was promoted to higher paying-more lucrative positions with competing companies, and then landed an executive management position on the Nature Coast in Florida – Rockstar Powersports in Brooksville.
Alisa and I spent the afternoon discussing some of the challenges AND opportunities that currently exist in this industry, specifically for women. And YES! Women are entering this industry at a faster rate than you can imagine. They are building careers that are substantial and they are learning, advancing, managing, and leading in this industry right beside those heavy hitters.
And for the record, they are loving it.
Which Way to the Beach: Christine Trippi from The Wise Pineapple
Listen in on Christine Trippi for her hour long presentation!