Careers of Vital Forum members

MR. X
Posts
6913
Joined
6/24/2010
Location
North Tonawanda, NY US
1/2/2015 11:09am
I thought we were all just sleeveless , mullet growing ,redneck dirtbags... maybe that's just the monster truck fans.
FreshTopEnd
Posts
13230
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Sacramento, CA US
1/2/2015 11:24am
Lawyer; went to school later after early MC misadventures and general misbehavior. Went from associate beginning in 1989 to partner at one of the world's best and largest law firms, now a senior counsel on part time after my transplant. Have worked on some amazing matters.
machine
Posts
6404
Joined
1/5/2011
Location
Collettsville, NC US
1/2/2015 11:26am
MR. X wrote:
I thought we were all just sleeveless , mullet growing ,redneck dirtbags... maybe that's just the monster truck fans.
This pic of me was taken at the Vital job fair last year.

1/2/2015 11:39am
I'm a semi-professional race car driver and an amateur tattoo artist.

Actually, to be honest I'm sitting here typing this reply from inside the Racer Productions/MX Sports/Racer X global international world HQ. I raced growing up and back in 2010 my buddies started a website I helped with, OffroadJunkies.com. I was going to all the GNCC races shooting my own poorly made videos and was asked if I wanted to shoot with the RacerTV crew. So I started doing that at the end of 2010 and all through 2011.

Then I spoke up and mentioned that I had helped promote some local hare scramble races over the years and would like to be on the track crew. So, I've been doing that as well since 2012. Basically I help make sure the course is marked properly (spend a lot of time stapling arrows to trees, pulling Moose tape and blocking unused trails. Then when the Mini and Morning races are going on I either help tow out riders who broke down or sometimes I jump on a bike and ride sweep (which is my obvious favorite because who wouldn't like to ride a motorcycle when they're at work)

For the pro race I usually shoot video for the live show on RacerTV.com. I also do the Tuesday Toolbox article each week on the GNCC website, contribute some pieces to Quick Fill (GNCC's version of Racerhead) and whatever else is asked. When there's relevant GNCC news to put out I also do a little piece for Racerhead.

I did all of this for a long time living back home in North Carolina, and then I even worked at Powersport Grafx for about a year and a half while also doing all of this. After Loretta's this past year I ended up moving to Morgantown and I've been working in the office doing a little of this and a little of that but the main thing I've been doing is scanning the literally thousands upon thousands of film photos to digital format, a lot of which have never seen the light of day, so that's pretty cool.

I've even been lucky enough to make it into RacerX!


Downside is I just ratted myself out for looking at Vital when I should be working and DC might see this post so I better get back at it.

The Shop

BobbyM
Posts
21439
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
AZ US
1/2/2015 12:12pm
I do nothing but sit on my ass and watch hockey and collect welfare, food stamps and child support. All while pecking away at VitalMX.com. Sike...
I do nothing but sit on my ass and watch hockey and collect welfare, food stamps and child support. All while pecking away at VitalMX.com.












Sike, I am a welder for a railroad.
It's obvious yer not a "speller". Grinning
Foo723
Posts
197
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Pensacola, FL US
1/2/2015 12:49pm
Sales/Marketing Director for an Original Equipment & Aftermarket manufacturer of starters, alternators and tilt trim motors for boat engines. worked in 2 different motorcycle shops back in my collage/racing days
1/2/2015 1:06pm
I sell residential and commercial solar systems.
Sun's up; we're making power!
RandyS
Posts
6181
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
1/2/2015 1:41pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2015 1:53pm
After a career as a pro bmxer in the late 70s/early 80s which gave me a yearly income well into the 4 digits I started a BMX numberplate/apparel company in 84, sold it in 89 to finance a snowboard apparel company.

Did well until getting burned big in 95 by a company run by a formerly very successful Japanese businessman who had a string of failures and was grasping at straws. I went from thinking my future was pretty secure to wondering where my next mortgage payment was coming from. Tried to save things until about 99 when I said fuck it.

In the mean time I let myself get talked into starting an MX apparel company in late 96 called Next, in 97 we did a little SX team with Shaun Kalos and Carter Gurnee. Not too long after after the first few races I let myself be talked into taking on a partner and it went downhill quick from there. I walked a month or so before any product was ready to ship.

From 99 to about 2012/13 I did sublimated apparel(MX, BMX, Powersports, Motorsports ), at one time we were responsible for probably about 20-25% of the SX/MX teams pit shirts, jackets,etc as well as producing weekly jerseys for a couple of the apparel companies. But the bread and butter which was the dealers both auto and powersports dried up with the great recession as did my interest in being a glorified T Shirt shop. It wasn't until I walked far enough away from it being full time that I realized I despised every minute of it and accordingly did a really shitty job on the customer service end. Apologies to any former customers reading this.

In 2009 after trying for 10 years my wife got pregnant and I decided if I wasn't going to be filthy rich I was going to be the best dad I could and packed up the warehouse, moved everything into a 3 car garage, 40' container and went without a business rent check for the first time in 26 years.

In 2010 after my son was born we started a home decor manufacturing business for my wife to be able to stay home with our son, both of us have been with him the majority of every day of his 4 1/2 years with the exception of daycare which he goes to not out of need but of choice. We live out in the country so it's his only daily interaction with kids his own age.

Since the beginning of 2014 I have focused full time on the business we started for her and we grew about 50% the last 12 months to the point it can now support us comfortably. We are planning on putting up a 2500-3000sf shop on our property in the next year to be able to start adding an employee or two. This is the closest thing to a job I've ever had and I love it, I have zero personal connection to the products, I'm just here to make stuff and am doing a better job at my role than I have since probably the snowboard company.

Tomorrow not a single person will be calling me from A1 with problems, rush additions, anything. I'm just planning on sitting on the couch with my 4 year old who this year wants to watch the races for the first time. I'm a little bummed that it took me 30 years to realize that if you love a sport, find something to do that lets you be a weekend warrior and you'll continue to love it.

BobbyM
Posts
21439
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
AZ US
1/2/2015 1:51pm
RandyS wrote:
After a career as a pro bmxer in the late 70s/early 80s which gave me a yearly income well into the 4 digits I started a...
After a career as a pro bmxer in the late 70s/early 80s which gave me a yearly income well into the 4 digits I started a BMX numberplate/apparel company in 84, sold it in 89 to finance a snowboard apparel company.

Did well until getting burned big in 95 by a company run by a formerly very successful Japanese businessman who had a string of failures and was grasping at straws. I went from thinking my future was pretty secure to wondering where my next mortgage payment was coming from. Tried to save things until about 99 when I said fuck it.

In the mean time I let myself get talked into starting an MX apparel company in late 96 called Next, in 97 we did a little SX team with Shaun Kalos and Carter Gurnee. Not too long after after the first few races I let myself be talked into taking on a partner and it went downhill quick from there. I walked a month or so before any product was ready to ship.

From 99 to about 2012/13 I did sublimated apparel(MX, BMX, Powersports, Motorsports ), at one time we were responsible for probably about 20-25% of the SX/MX teams pit shirts, jackets,etc as well as producing weekly jerseys for a couple of the apparel companies. But the bread and butter which was the dealers both auto and powersports dried up with the great recession as did my interest in being a glorified T Shirt shop. It wasn't until I walked far enough away from it being full time that I realized I despised every minute of it and accordingly did a really shitty job on the customer service end. Apologies to any former customers reading this.

In 2009 after trying for 10 years my wife got pregnant and I decided if I wasn't going to be filthy rich I was going to be the best dad I could and packed up the warehouse, moved everything into a 3 car garage, 40' container and went without a business rent check for the first time in 26 years.

In 2010 after my son was born we started a home decor manufacturing business for my wife to be able to stay home with our son, both of us have been with him the majority of every day of his 4 1/2 years with the exception of daycare which he goes to not out of need but of choice. We live out in the country so it's his only daily interaction with kids his own age.

Since the beginning of 2014 I have focused full time on the business we started for her and we grew about 50% the last 12 months to the point it can now support us comfortably. We are planning on putting up a 2500-3000sf shop on our property in the next year to be able to start adding an employee or two. This is the closest thing to a job I've ever had and I love it, I have zero personal connection to the products, I'm just here to make stuff and am doing a better job at my role than I have since probably the snowboard company.

Tomorrow not a single person will be calling me from A1 with problems, rush additions, anything. I'm just planning on sitting on the couch with my 4 year old who this year wants to watch the races for the first time. I'm a little bummed that it took me 30 years to realize that if you love a sport, find something to do that lets you be a weekend warrior and you'll continue to love it.

That is a kickass story... Right on Randy.
purpleNurple
Posts
912
Joined
1/29/2010
Location
Fort Stewart, GA US
1/2/2015 1:54pm
5yrs active US ARMY, currently in the Nasty Guard and a Software Engineer on the civilian side.
RandyS
Posts
6181
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
1/2/2015 1:56pm
RandyS wrote:
After a career as a pro bmxer in the late 70s/early 80s which gave me a yearly income well into the 4 digits I started a...
After a career as a pro bmxer in the late 70s/early 80s which gave me a yearly income well into the 4 digits I started a BMX numberplate/apparel company in 84, sold it in 89 to finance a snowboard apparel company.

Did well until getting burned big in 95 by a company run by a formerly very successful Japanese businessman who had a string of failures and was grasping at straws. I went from thinking my future was pretty secure to wondering where my next mortgage payment was coming from. Tried to save things until about 99 when I said fuck it.

In the mean time I let myself get talked into starting an MX apparel company in late 96 called Next, in 97 we did a little SX team with Shaun Kalos and Carter Gurnee. Not too long after after the first few races I let myself be talked into taking on a partner and it went downhill quick from there. I walked a month or so before any product was ready to ship.

From 99 to about 2012/13 I did sublimated apparel(MX, BMX, Powersports, Motorsports ), at one time we were responsible for probably about 20-25% of the SX/MX teams pit shirts, jackets,etc as well as producing weekly jerseys for a couple of the apparel companies. But the bread and butter which was the dealers both auto and powersports dried up with the great recession as did my interest in being a glorified T Shirt shop. It wasn't until I walked far enough away from it being full time that I realized I despised every minute of it and accordingly did a really shitty job on the customer service end. Apologies to any former customers reading this.

In 2009 after trying for 10 years my wife got pregnant and I decided if I wasn't going to be filthy rich I was going to be the best dad I could and packed up the warehouse, moved everything into a 3 car garage, 40' container and went without a business rent check for the first time in 26 years.

In 2010 after my son was born we started a home decor manufacturing business for my wife to be able to stay home with our son, both of us have been with him the majority of every day of his 4 1/2 years with the exception of daycare which he goes to not out of need but of choice. We live out in the country so it's his only daily interaction with kids his own age.

Since the beginning of 2014 I have focused full time on the business we started for her and we grew about 50% the last 12 months to the point it can now support us comfortably. We are planning on putting up a 2500-3000sf shop on our property in the next year to be able to start adding an employee or two. This is the closest thing to a job I've ever had and I love it, I have zero personal connection to the products, I'm just here to make stuff and am doing a better job at my role than I have since probably the snowboard company.

Tomorrow not a single person will be calling me from A1 with problems, rush additions, anything. I'm just planning on sitting on the couch with my 4 year old who this year wants to watch the races for the first time. I'm a little bummed that it took me 30 years to realize that if you love a sport, find something to do that lets you be a weekend warrior and you'll continue to love it.

BobbyM wrote:
That is a kickass story... Right on Randy.
Thanks Bobby, despite enjoying giving you shit in the past that mean a lot.
tbanks
Posts
1515
Joined
5/28/2011
Location
Great Mills, MD US
1/2/2015 1:57pm
Electical Engineer.....DoD
1/2/2015 6:15pm
Building trade,a bit of everything but specialize in fencing,gate making,decking etc,a lot of time in my younger life wrenching for Speedway riders and was full-time for a top GP rider as well.

Suprised to see so few ex motorcyclists in here,or even more in the industry

Suprised at the lack of usual "loudmouths" revealing what they do too as someone said Cool
lemewinks
Posts
56
Joined
3/16/2012
Location
Council Bluffs, IA US
1/2/2015 6:28pm
Union electrician I.B.E.W #22.
dynohut
Posts
292
Joined
4/10/2014
Location
Denver, CO US
1/2/2015 6:59pm
Union, I.A.M. #141 since 1988
ACBraap
Posts
1168
Joined
2/10/2012
Location
Seattlish, WA US
Fantasy
1/9/2015 11:00pm
Snoqualmie wrote:
High-tech @ HP, Microsoft, Cisco. Application Programmer, Data Center Manager, Software R&D, now Marketing. All big data center stuff for Fortune 500, governments, etc. Up until...
High-tech @ HP, Microsoft, Cisco. Application Programmer, Data Center Manager, Software R&D, now Marketing. All big data center stuff for Fortune 500, governments, etc.

Up until this year - taking a year or so off - several years volunteering with MXforChildren - www.mxforchildren.org

sclark309d wrote:
Your background is similar to mine Snoqualmie - and I am just up the road from you, in North Bend
Another from Snoqualmie here.
Jrewing
Posts
2863
Joined
1/4/2014
Location
AU
1/10/2015 12:43am
Old Mate wrote:
25yrs of mx coaching, now have my own training facility.[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/12/28/75259/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
25yrs of mx coaching, now have my own training facility.
And it's one of my favourite tracks I've ridden.
Cheers Greg.

I own a food manufacturing business. Also currently buying into an upcoming bicycle and parts wholesaler.

1/10/2015 1:04am
rossi46 wrote:
work in underground mines operating Sandvik DD421 jumbo drills (google it) worked all over Australia and even overseas.. Love my job, work 7 days and then...
work in underground mines operating Sandvik DD421 jumbo drills (google it)
worked all over Australia and even overseas..
Love my job, work 7 days and then have 7 days off..
very high paying job for a country that is very expensive to live in.. thanks Australia
I fix those and other underground gear. Bloody operators Smile where you at? I'm in mt isa.
1/10/2015 1:10am
Snoqualmie wrote:
High-tech @ HP, Microsoft, Cisco. Application Programmer, Data Center Manager, Software R&D, now Marketing. All big data center stuff for Fortune 500, governments, etc. Up until...
High-tech @ HP, Microsoft, Cisco. Application Programmer, Data Center Manager, Software R&D, now Marketing. All big data center stuff for Fortune 500, governments, etc.

Up until this year - taking a year or so off - several years volunteering with MXforChildren - www.mxforchildren.org

sclark309d wrote:
Your background is similar to mine Snoqualmie - and I am just up the road from you, in North Bend
ACBraap wrote:
Another from Snoqualmie here.
Wow..lotsa,Vitards here in this ltitle valley...we should go riding some time

Derpin' DJ
Posts
6407
Joined
5/27/2011
Location
Newcastle AU
1/10/2015 1:10am
Jrewing wrote:
And it's one of my favourite tracks I've ridden. Cheers Greg. I own a food manufacturing business. Also currently buying into an upcoming bicycle and parts...
And it's one of my favourite tracks I've ridden.
Cheers Greg.

I own a food manufacturing business. Also currently buying into an upcoming bicycle and parts wholesaler.

What sort of food do you manufacture?
Jrewing
Posts
2863
Joined
1/4/2014
Location
AU
1/10/2015 2:25am
Derpin' DJ wrote:
What sort of food do you manufacture?
Yoghurt.
Jake-247
Posts
948
Joined
10/21/2009
Location
Queensland AU
1/10/2015 3:46am
Shotcretor in an underground mine.
Basically what I do is spray concrete onto the walls and backs (ceiling) of the drives for ground support.
msmola2002
Posts
35
Joined
7/24/2012
Location
Laurens, NY US
1/10/2015 6:51am Edited Date/Time 1/10/2015 6:54am
Got a bachelor of science (biotechnology)

After I graduated in 04, my first job was in an environmental lab testing dirt and water for nasties. (Organics, heavy metals)

Then I briefly worked at an ivf clinic

Then back to enviro and testing dirt, not only for nasties but measuring it.

In 2009 I got a work visa and moved to sunny(?) central NY, from my home in Newcastle, australia, where I now work at as a quality control chemist at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. (no, I don't make biker crank in my bathtub) If you are familiar with the "sponge" as mentioned on Seinfeld, up til about 2 years ago we made it, and a bunch of other stuff gets contracted to us from our parent company and various other big pharma concerns.

I get to work all day every day in a darkened room under yellow light with fragrant and carcinagenic solvents. Good times.
JLO42
Posts
75
Joined
10/24/2013
Location
Valencia, PA US
1/10/2015 8:20am
Suns_PSD wrote:
Cool professions by many. I have a useless BS from UT in Biology, that was 7 years down the drain! I sell Kenworth trucks and I...
Cool professions by many.
I have a useless BS from UT in Biology, that was 7 years down the drain!
I sell Kenworth trucks and I enjoy the business and the customers greatly.
Useless degree in biology at pitt. I feel your pain. 7 yrs and 90 grand down the drain for me as well.
Rdubs19
Posts
767
Joined
4/16/2014
Location
Little Rock, AR US
1/10/2015 8:24am
BS Economics, Arkansas State University. Work in back office operations for an investment bank. Would LOVE to have a job in the moto industry but this is okay.
hvaughn88
Posts
8361
Joined
6/19/2013
Location
Conway, AR US
1/10/2015 8:56am
Rdubs19 wrote:
BS Economics, Arkansas State University. Work in back office operations for an investment bank. Would LOVE to have a job in the moto industry but this...
BS Economics, Arkansas State University. Work in back office operations for an investment bank. Would LOVE to have a job in the moto industry but this is okay.
Pre "red wolves" or post "red wolves?"
Redrcr34
Posts
1048
Joined
10/3/2008
Location
IL US
1/10/2015 8:58am
Police Officer for 23 years, retired last year.
markit
Posts
2641
Joined
1/10/2013
Location
Bogalusa, LA US
1/10/2015 9:47am
lemewinks wrote:
Union electrician I.B.E.W #22.
jesus, how many Electricians are in dirtbiking.Smile LOL
Rdubs19
Posts
767
Joined
4/16/2014
Location
Little Rock, AR US
1/10/2015 10:04am
Rdubs19 wrote:
BS Economics, Arkansas State University. Work in back office operations for an investment bank. Would LOVE to have a job in the moto industry but this...
BS Economics, Arkansas State University. Work in back office operations for an investment bank. Would LOVE to have a job in the moto industry but this is okay.
hvaughn88 wrote:
Pre "red wolves" or post "red wolves?"
Started in '08, so very first year as Red Wolves. Funny story, in drivers ed just as all the mascot hooplah started several years prior, the football player who was my instructor told me it would be red wolves. This was when there were still thousands of options on the table. Don't know if that guy was psychic or what but he nailed it.
superorbital
Posts
608
Joined
6/15/2008
Location
Fort Collins, CO US
1/10/2015 10:11am
I have BS in biology, a BS in chemistry, an MBA in finance. I currently manage a group of scientists in the QC lab at a pharma company that specializes in anti-cancer drugs. Our medicine is extending the life of patients by around 10 years. Its pretty fucking cool if you ask me.

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