What’s your background in cycling?

I learned to ride as a kid on a sweet Schwinn with a banana seat, but I didn’t take up cycling in earnest until 2003 when I got into triathlon. From there I was hooked, completing an Ironman in 2006.

In late 2007 my husband was working in construction and saw that the industry was about to implode, so we were looking for a plan B.

One weekend he went from bike shop to bike shop in our area on a quest for new carbon bars for his mountain bike. Between the lack of shops, and the lack of customer service in the ones he went into, he came home and declared “We’re opening a bike shop!”.

Six months later we opened our first shop in Goodyear, Arizona, and three years after that acquired our second in the retirement town of Green Valley. Running a bike shop during the recession wasn’t for the faint of heart, but I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

How did you get involved with Marin?

My husband and I had moved back home to Northern California when he was offered a job he couldn’t refuse.

I have a degree in medical billing and coding, so I took a job as a medical biller. The atmosphere in the office was depressing. No one talked, and when I toddled into the office in my helmet and bike cleats my cheery “hello” was met with silence. Bottom line, I wasn’t happy.

One day my best friend sent me a link to a job opening at Marin and said “You MUST apply for this!! You would be perfect!”. It was an accounting assistant position. I had just started in my other position a couple of months prior, so I felt weird applying. But I guess my cover letter was compelling enough because I got the job!

Ironically, the friend that sent me the link was looking for a sales job for herself at the time, and now works as an inside sales rep at Marin as well!

What do you do at Marin?

I’m the credit manager. But if you know anything about Marin, you’ll know we all wear many hats.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Seeing my contributions help the company grow and thrive is what fuels my fire. I love that at Marin, everyone's contribution is valued, and no one person’s job is considered more important than another.

I’m always looking to streamline our processes to make the company more efficient and to enhance the customer experience. Knowing that my efforts are appreciated is very meaningful to me.

Also, my coworkers are the best. It sure makes it easy to come to work when you work with such a great group of people.

What was the best day at Marin you’ve had so far?

One day I opened up an email from Aaron Abrams, our director of product.

He wanted my input on some frame designs. Being asked for that meant so much to me. I felt valued, and that’s worth more than gold.

What bikes do you own, and which is your go-to?

I’ve been building a Headlands 2 with the Golden Gate Bridge color scheme. With supply chain constraints, it’s been a very slow process., but it’s almost there! I recently got my custom wheels finished. Just a few more bits and she’ll be ready to hit the road!

I also have a Wildcat Trail for bumping around the trails. I’m remedial at best on a mountain bike, but I do like riding with my mountain biking husband. He on the other hand has a fleet! A Rift Zone 2 Carbon, an Alpine Trail 2 Carbon, and a Headlands 2.

Describe your riding style with a movie title.

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. I like to live life like it’s one big adventure, and if it’s done on two wheels, even better!

What inspires you to do your job at Marin?

Helping a dealer get back on a healthy financial path. I was a dealer, so I know what it’s like to have more bills than money in the bank. I learned the hard way.

If I can offer a little help and advice, that makes my day. I always tell them “No one wins if I send you to collections. Let’s work through this”.

I’m pretty proud to say that in my two years as a credit manager I’ve only sent one account to collections.

Favourite post-ride meal and beverage?

If it’s a hot day, a crisp ice-cold hard cider and a hamburger.

If it’s a cold day, hot chocolate and some warm pasta or risotto.

We live in the wine country, and there is some great food here! We are really spoiled with the world-class wineries, breweries and restaurants.

Tell us something unusual about yourself that people might not know?

I’m also a mixed media artist.

My artistic side really came out when we had the bike shop. I just couldn’t discard used tubes, chains, or cassettes, because I knew I could repurpose them somehow. Currently, I’m obsessed with putting epoxy resin waves on charcuterie boards and coasters.

I love the ocean, so making waves soothes my soul. It’s very relaxing to be in my art studio letting my thoughts wander as I create.

What’s on your desk?

The usual accounting stuff, calculator, files, and check reader. But I also have lots of pictures of friends and family above my desk, and some finishers’ medals from races I’ve done.

What was the last book or magazine that you read?

Reborn On The Run from Catra Corbitt. She’s an ultra runner, with an interesting story, and proof that you can overcome life's obstacles if you have the will to try.

What have you learned from your time at Marin that you’d share with the world?

That at the heart of Marin are people that just want to make kick-ass bikes that are fun and functional, and we want to share that with the world.

If you could put an announcement on a billboard for every cyclist to see - what would it say?

"Be nice, say hi!"

This is something I do to everyone that I pass on the trail.

Also, if you’re riding a Marin you’ll get a friendly “Nice bike!” You never know when your smile or kind words will turn someone's day around. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice.