If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last 20 years of my professional life, it’s that a career — much like a challenging jobsite — rarely follows a perfectly straight line.
When I was barely old enough to drive, I was determined to become the next Tony Kornheiser, the famous sports personality from ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption. In pursuit of that dream, 16-year-old me reached out to numerous sports websites asking if they needed writers. I didn’t have any experience, but one online publication gave me an opportunity to write for free — and I took it.
Even if it meant getting yelled at by my mom for tying up the family phone line on dial-up internet for hours at a time, I kept writing. At the time, I thought I was chasing one specific dream. In reality, I was building skills that would carry me in directions I couldn’t yet see.
That early determination and love for storytelling became the thread tying together every step of my career.
Fast forward to today, and while I’m still a passionate sports fan, my professional love has shifted a bit. More than a decade ago, I began applying that experience to industries where informative content wasn’t nearly as abundant as it should have been — industries like construction and agriculture.
I believe that work ethic — the commitment to rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done right — is something I share with every professional in the outdoor power equipment industry. It’s the same mindset that has guided my career and led me to where I am today.
As the new managing editor for OPE+, I want to ensure that the publication continues to be an essential resource for your business.
By the time this issue of the magazine is published, I will have been in this role for a few months and, hopefully, we have already had the chance to connect. If not, I would welcome the opportunity. I’d love to hear your advice or insights on how OPE+ can best serve you and your business moving forward.
Please feel free to reach out at any time by shooting me an email at bethridge@epgacceleration.com.
-Brian Ethridge
Managing Editor, OPE+