Powersports Business Power Hour

Ep. 36 - Learning lessons from automotive dealers with Pied Piper

Brendan discusses what powersports dealers can learn from their automotive counterparts. Pied Piper's Fran and Cameron O'Hagan join the podcast to show data that illustrates where powersports dealers need to improve, and many of the areas involve better processes and follow-through.

Ep. 35 - Ken Engelman on Building Connections, Inspiring Kindness, and Giving Back to Powersports

Ken Engelman, National Account Manager for EPG Brand Acceleration’s motorcycle group (Rider Magazine, American Rider, Powersports Business), sat down with Brendan Baker to talk about his return to the industry, his grassroots “Please Be Kind” campaign, and why volunteerism can be a powerful tool for both community building and growing the powersports market. From BMW Boxer Days in Munich to high school service programs, Engelman’s career seamlessly blends marketing expertise, relationship-building, and an unwavering commitment to giving back.

Ep 34 - The Turnaround Project with Max Materne

Brendan sits down with Max and Zach Materne to discuss their former dealership and how Max is now returning to help save it in the Turnaround Project. Max will be putting all of his experience and skills on the line over the next 90 days to help the dealership he used to own. In the process, numerous lessons can be applied by dealers to enhance their own stores.

Ep. 33 - Brendan visits Brad Tews, owner of East Central Motorsports in Kent, Ohio.

Brendan visits Brad Tews, owner of East Central Motorsports in Kent, Ohio. The dealership specializes in value brands. We discuss the importance of value brands in the sales chain and why it is important for high-quality entry level products.

Ep. 32 - Catching up with Yamaha ATV-SxS Group's Scott Newby

Brendan chats with Scott Newby, who is Yamaha's senior communications specialist for the ATV and Side-by-Side group. Brendan has known Scott for many years, going back to his days as a managing editor of another powersports publication. One of his first press rides was with Scott's crew in the Deschutes Forrest of Oregon, riding a Yamaha Raptor 700. Scott also talks about Yamaha's Outdoor Access Initiative and how the company is giving back to communities and clubs to keep things open for all of us in the outdoors, but especially for off-road enthusiasts.

Ep. 31 - Motorcycle Mall''s real estate project with Russo Development

Brendan chats with John Resciniti, owner of the Motorcycle Mall in Bellville, New Jersey and partner in the luxury apartment and retail project REV by Vermella. Courtney Mulligan is the vice president of marketing at Russo Development, which helped spearhead this unique project with powersports roots.

Ep. 30 - International Female Ride Day and the women in powersports

Brendan chats with Susan Medrano, who is the head of Synchrony Outdoors and AJ Meisel, the general manager of Plano Kawasaki/Suzuki/Piaggio, to discuss International Female Ride Day and the broader impact of women in powersports.
 
LINKS:
International Female Ride Day on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFemaleRideDay
2025 International Female Ride Day Photo Gallery: https://motoress.com/2025-international-female-ride-day-photo-gallery-and-sweepstakes/
 

Ep. 29 - Brendan sits down with MIC President Christy LaCurelle

Brendan chats with MIC's new president, Christy LaCurelle just after she has returned from the Capitol Hill Fly-In, which this year happened to take place April 7-8 as President Trump announced sweeping tariffs. We chat about tariffs, rider programs and other legislative efforts for the industry.

Ep. 28 - Power Hour talks about the rental business with Rob Solem from RecSystems

Brendan sits down with longtime powersports industry veteran and rental operator Rob Solem, who is the co-founder of RecSystems. This company uses AI to run your rental operations from marketing to bookings.

Ep. 27 - Ryan McFarland of All Kids Bike joins Power Hour

Most dealers are familiar with Ryan McFarland's other company, Strider Balance Bikes, but he also heads up another project that is very important to kids learning how to ride bikes in school. All Kids Bike was created to teach kids how to ride a bike as part of a school or church program. We discuss how it all got started.