Meet Heather Wilson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Wilson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Heather, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
For some people, they immediately seem to discover their purpose. For others, it takes more time to be uncovered.

I was born in a family who loved motorcycles, and I was deeply immersed in the industry. I started riding at the age of five, and my dad, mom, brother and I spent a lot of weekends camping and riding dirtbikes. Plus, my dad raced off-road, and we were always traveling to enduro races on the weekend as a family. It was the best way to spend time together, and my family and I are still really close to this day.

Aside from motorcycles, I was highly involved in 4-H for a decade. At 17 years old, I was selected to serve as the Ohio Fairs’ Queen and traveled to 88 fairs, covering more than 20,000 miles throughout the state during 2010 acting as a public relations representative for fairs, agriculture and youth development organizations like 4-H. It began to develop my interest in Journalism, and my high school teachers began to commend my writing and public speaking skills. Around that time, I also started volunteering for a local enduro racing series writing race recaps of the weekend.

Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher. However, when it came time to choose my path after high school, I decided to attend Ohio University and pursue a degree in Journalism. Before graduating from college, I knew I wanted to combine my public relations and marketing skills with an industry that I was passionate about. I chose motorsports.

At first, I worked for a couple of companies within the industry. Then, in 2021, I went fulltime with my business.

Now having been a professional in the industry for more than a decade, it’s clear that this was meant to be my purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Motorsports communications and marketing consulting is my passion. As the CEO of High Gear Success, I help event organizers, racers and other motorsports companies get noticed, improve operations and increase revenue.

So, what exactly does that mean?

For racers, I strategically create a plan to build a fan base and attract sponsors. I develop racer resumes, sponsorship decks and proposals. I also write race reports and send them to media outlets, post the recap on social media and send to their subscribers — fans and sponsors.

I work with motorsports event organizers that host rides and races to understand what they are currently doing and pinpoint how they can improve. I strategize things such as event operations (registration, working with volunteers, etc) and marketing (email blasts, press releases, website content, social media, apparel and more). In addition to done-for-you services, I also have a lot of DIY resources for motorsports event organizers on a smaller budget. My “Fuel for Thought” virtual training and networking events have been really popular in the last year.

Additionally, I curate a content strategy for manufacturers, dealerships or aftermarket businesses. This includes writing e-newsletters, press releases, magazine articles, race recaps for sponsored athletes to feature on various platforms and more. I also conduct interviews, including being the co-host of Pit Pass Moto podcast.

Aside from communications and marketing expertise, I am a motorcycle safety instructor who teaches both streetbike and dirtbike curricula. I also train instructors in the curriculum for the state of Ohio.

I love that I get to contribute to an industry that means so much to me. And besides loving all things racing, I enjoy traveling and glamping (RV, not tent camping for this girl) with my fiancé and our two golden retrievers.

You can learn more about my services at HighGearSuccess.com

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Tenacity – You have to be persistent in chasing your goals, no matter how difficult it can get at times. Success rarely happens quickly. It’s often the result of months or years of intentional work.

Adaptability – You should make a plan, but also be able to modify it when the situation requires it. Things won’t always go as intended and unexpected situations pop up. The key is to shift. Learn from your experience and keep making progress.

Confidence – It seems simple, but it can be a challenge to actually feel sure of yourself and assert your knowledge and beliefs. It’s a critical component of being an entrepreneur. Of course, a strong support system helps, but you also have to trust in yourself, your skills and your services.

The best advice I can give individuals, no matter what stage of the journey they are on, is identify what skills or qualities might pave the way for success in their lives — while also keeping their values/morals in mind. Write them down and reference them often. Find ways to continue to learn and grow, from networking to education and more.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
Although not precise, I think there is a balance to be found. I do believe that we should leverage our strengths, but I also believe it’s important to continually learn and try new things.

In the beginning of owning a business, you don’t always have the funds to outsource work that you aren’t particularly skilled in. However, as time goes on, you might save time, money and energy by sub-contracting tasks.

I believe there’s a point at which you have to make a decision as to whether to continue to diving into more resources to bolster your weakness or choose to invest in support.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Chay Creates, Em Christine Photos, High RPM Photo, Layland Photography

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