Welcome to Business Innovators Magazine…Please introduce yourself and a brief thumbnail sketch of your background.
EB: Hello, my name is Erika Born, I graduated with honors obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Business Management. I have over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and project management. Over the past 6 years, I have evolved in the motocross industry. I have contributed to the marketing and branding of Kyle Born, Motocrossvest, MX Antix USA, Snakecreek MX, Sleepy Hollow MX, and Born Racing MX. I have promoted the Boyesen 2 Stroke Shootout 2015, Amsoil Arenacross Pre-Registration Promo, and the Motocross training program at Snakecreek MX. I have had the opportunity to travel with my husband Dave, and my son Kyle, to New Zealand and witness Kyle represent the USA as the only American Rider to race the NZ Mini Nationals under the MX Antix NZ team. I have formed 2 youth motocross teams where I was able to secure sponsors and free support to all team riders. I sent 3 riders to NZ to race with MX Antix. A once in a lifetime opportunity that easily came true with teamwork. I personally branded Kyle Born 464, and he is now known and followed heavily in 7 countries. He has been #2 on the Moto Playground Dirty 100 list, featured multiple times in Racer X, Rec Rider, 2 features in The Daily Bread by MotoPlayground, the cover page of MX Antix, and the front page of The York Daily Dispatch. He is now a team rider for Allegan, MX Antix USA, Motocrossvest, and Born Racing.
BI: What would you say is the area in business that you are most passionate about and why?
EB: I am most passionate about amateur motocross. My goal is to share my experiences and knowledge with the MX Community to promote and support the amateur motocross programs. Why am I doing this, because our sport needs this so bad and nobody else is stepping up to do it. Kids love being a part of something, like a team, and that’s great! But I do not believe in restrictions and high expectations. The only thing that I require in my program is being a good person, helping others, and being a role model to other riders. I created my program based on 2 things, my personal experiences and the issues in the sport that need to be changed.
BI: How are you different than your competitors?
EB: I really don’t have any competitors because nobody else is doing what I am doing. However, there are companies that do parts and pieces of what I’m doing. So how am I different? I am different because I am doing what needs to be done to help the sport and families, not what needs to be done to profit off of the families. I am the same, an equal, to my members. We are going through this journey together.
BI: Please tell me about any recent business accomplishments that you are most proud of and why?
EB: I am most proud of our expansion into the UK and New Zealand. I’m also most proud of my ambassadors and partners. I am surrounded by liked minded people that are making sacrifices for a great cause.
BI: What Leadership qualities in Leaders do you most admire and why?
EB: I admire most these qualities in leaders: honesty, follow through, hard work, accountability, & passion.
BI: What has been a key element of your success?
EB: Trust. Many people joined my program without a full understanding simply because they trust me, and they know that I am dedicated to supporting youth mx.
BI: What are some of the business projects that you are currently working on that you are excited about and why?
EB: We are about to launch our membership site! This site will help riders and families learn Social Media tips & tricks to make setting up and managing accounts much easier, help broaden the reach of their Social Media presence, & help to create a professional yet fun image by showing different platforms to introduce riders to the industry.
We are also in the process of launching Zen U K-12. This will be an online school great for all families, and it will have the vibe and structure for active athletes.
BI: What are 1 or 2 things you would like to say to a prospective client who stumbles across this interview?
EB: MX Zen is not an exclusive group of elite riders, but a community of support for ALL riders and their families. Whether you are a fierce competitor with big dreams of going pro or someone with a love for the sport who would prefer to stick with more leisurely riding, MX Zen is the perfect network for everyone to become a part of. Sponsors, resumes, websites, social media, you name it, MX Zen has got the hookup!
BI: To wrap this up, what are you most excited about in the upcoming months in your business?
EB: Zen U and our membership site have me very motivated! Also, getting back to the track and seeing all of the Zen’ers with the MX Zen swag and our logo on their graphics. That is such an incredible feeling.
For more information: http://www.mxzen.com
