ExoConsulting: A Year in Review
As we approach the end of 2020, people often express their desire for a better 2021. While I generally agree that 2020 lacked any sense of subtlety or finesse, it was not without positives. This article documents the positives and negatives that I experienced through 2020 in both my personal and professional life. I hope that this article reminds you that while every day may not be good, there is good in every day.
Global Pandemic, Doctoral Challenges
As we rang in 2020, news started to flow out of China’s Hubei province of atypical pneumonia cases, particularly from the capital city of Wuhan. Little did we know that by March, the headlines would transition to stay-at-home orders, school closings, and cancelled sporting events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the number of daily cases and deaths climbed, thoughts of returning to a pre-pandemic normal were slipping away. Like most other colleges, the decision was made to keep students off-campus with a rapid transition to virtual learning. This changeover didn’t directly impact the completion of my dissertation, I was already working remotely. The local stay-at-home orders didn’t change my routine either; I wasn’t going anywhere with deadlines looming through March and April.
By late March, the University informed me that I would defend remotely. After five and a half years of hard work, my Ph.D. defense would be a video conference, attended by my committee and a few other graduate students from my department. The one bit of advice that my committee chair, Dr. Liming Li, shared before the video call will also stay with me, “Remember, we are not here to fool you. By completing this research, you are now the expert on this topic.” On April 8, I successfully defended my dissertation, “Spatiotemporal Variations Of Saturn's Zonal Winds Based On Cassini Long-term (2004-2017) Multi-Instrument Observations.”
The University of Houston story doesn’t end there; all graduation ceremonies were postponed indefinitely. Ironically, the day before this decision was announced, I received my cap and gown in the mail. To date, I have not even opened the box. Someday, I may walk across the stage; more importantly, I am Dr. Aaron Studwell.
An Idea becomes a Company
By late March, I finished and submitted what would be the final draft of my dissertation. My defense was less than two weeks away as I focused on my presentation. However, I couldn’t avoid reality: I didn’t have a job lined up. Even pre-pandemic, the search had been frustrating. Between the beginning of 2018 through early June 2020, I applied to over 80 job postings, had fourteen interviews, and zero offers.
As the pandemic began to solidify its grip on the country, I received an invitation to interview for a faculty position. I believed this was my best opportunity, being told that I was a strong candidate by members of the department’s faculty. The interview date was pushed down the calendar and what was supposed to be a day of on-campus meetings became a 10-hour video conference. At the end of the call, I overheard a discussion about mandatory budget cuts for every department on campus, a side effect of COVID-19. By early May, the decision was made to only fill one of the open faculty positions and that would be the other candidate.
As early as late March, I had started to think about starting my own company. The phrase that stayed in my mind was, “Sometimes, you need to make your own opportunity.” After calls with friends, business consultants, and friends who are business consultants, a plan came together. Logos, branding, and marketing plans were produced, a website created, and I cast a wide net across social media. ExoConsulting was officially incorporated on June 11, 2020. My idea had become a reality.
Business Grows
In early June, even before ExoConsulting was incorporated, I had received a note from a fellow meteorologist wanting to talk about a business opportunity. His company was trying to make in-roads to the energy meteorology sector with their long-range forecasting products and tools, the World Climate Service. While he knew that I had extensive experience in this sector, he didn't know that I had started ExoConsulting. Within a month, an agreement was signed and I had my first client.
Missions Change
Fast forward to mid-August, a new NASCAR Cup team emerged on the scene, TrackHouse Racing, whose ownership intended to be an advocate for STEM education. Given my experience in atmospheric science and NASCAR through the RaceWeather brand, I thought there was an opportunity for a collaboration between ExoConsulting and TrackHouse. I also believe that things happen (or not) for a reason. While this idea didn’t gain traction, it allowed me to begin work with Landon Cassill on his 2021 NASCAR sponsorship development - a partnership that continues today and will well into the future.
By October, I was conducting business development for my clients, along with the company’s social media and marketing responsibilities. To me, time is the most precious commodity - once it’s spent, you can never get it back. I felt my time being futilely spent on social media. It was something I needed but it seemed random and honestly, self-indulgent at times. As I shared these struggles with a friend, she asked if I would be interested in meeting a friend, Stevie Thompson, that could help. When we sat down for lunch, I noticed that at the top of her notebook was written, “INSTAGRAM.” She had done her homework and knew where I needed help. Before we finished lunch, I offered her an intern position. Within a month, she had earned the title, “Marketing and Social Media Coordinator.” As ExoConsulting grows, she will continue to be a key contributor.
Over time, all things, including companies, must evolve or they will perish. We have clients, but they had little to do with our original mission. This was not a bad thing, but it also made me think about ExoConsulting’s future path. Talking with a friend, I noted that, “the path from Ph.D. to sponsorship development was shorter than I thought it could be.” He agreed, noting he’d thought that too, but also learned to not question how things happen in NASCAR.
After nearly two decades in and around racing, it was time to take a large role in the motorsports community. By early December, we had a revamped website, a new category of services offered: Motorsports Consulting, and a new mission: “Provide technical expertise and business insights for client success on and off track.”
What’s next for ExoConsulting? I dare not forecast that, but we will release an article detailing our 2021 goals next week.
Since 2003, ExoConsulting’s founder, Dr. Aaron Studwell, has been providing weather support to the NASCAR community, building his reputation as an effective communicator with a passion for the sport and the people in it. Marketing and Social Media Coordinator Stevie Thompson brings her insight and artistic flair to engage our client base. Together, we provide technical expertise and business insights for client success on and off track. Let’s find ways to work together.
Reach out today and let’s find ways to work together.
Written by Aaron Studwell, December 29, 2020
Photo credits: Saturn Great White Storm: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI; ExoConsulting sponsorship: GoFas Racing