James Lawrence

President/Founder

I believe in PEOPLE and the power of COMMUNITY. A great TEAM is the most important competitive advantage any organization can have.

At POWER, our mission is simple yet powerful: We fuel automotive dreams. Whether you’re behind the wheel, tinkering in the garage, or chasing down the next 200 mph thrill, we create stories, events, and videos to entertain, inspire, and connect. Cars ignite our passions, build vibrant communities, and create unforgettable moments—and we’re here to share that magic with the world.

I’m focused on pushing the loud pedal every day, driving innovation, and connecting with fellow enthusiasts to deliver exceptional automotive content and experiences.

I also run a tech startup called HAPPY – which delivers intelligent coaching based on behavioral science. That has been an amazing experience as well.

My leadership journey wasn’t straightforward—I learned early on that real authority doesn’t come from a title. It comes from understanding your team, building trust, and fostering a culture where people thrive. That belief has shaped every company I’ve launched, every team I’ve led, and every decision I’ve made.

Here’s a bit about me:
	•	Launched four startups, including Happy, our tech coaching platform
	•	Former Chairman of the Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association (SEMA)
	•	National champion in auto racing and youth football coaching
	•	Proud husband to Melissa and dad to Bradley, Jordan, and Taylor

When I’m not leading the team at POWER/HAPPY or spending time with my family, you’ll find me:
	•	Coaching youth football
	•	Chasing the next adrenaline rush behind the wheel
	•	Diving into great books like The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

I love connecting with like-minded people who share a passion for innovation, leadership, and creating incredible experiences. Whether it’s through a podcast, public speaking, or collaborating with entrepreneurs and visionaries, I’m always looking for opportunities to share ideas and solve big problems.

💌 Let’s connect: james@powerautomedia.com

At my core, I believe the cornerstone of every great organization is its people. My mission has always been to create extraordinary things by unlocking the power of connection, collaboration, and passion—whether that’s in the workplace, at the racetrack, or in a garage full of wrenches and dreams.

CEO & Cofounder

In the new era of work, building effective teams is more important than ever to organizational performance. Happy enhances organizational culture, communication and manager effectiveness at scale – making your people your competitive advantage. Happy is a coaching platform that uses behavioral science & AI to build a user manual for your entire team in less than 10 minutes.

Odyssey Logistics

Senior Office Administrator

Customer Experience and Office Manger

Administrative Specialist

Bella Lago Salon & Spa

*Managed daily business operations and supervised staff of 25 employees. 
*Processed payroll, managed weekly staff scheduling and timekeeping. 
*responsible for full cycle recruiting including interviewing candidates, making key hiring decisions and onboarding of new employees. 
*Managed employee relations, maintained personnel files, policies, procedures and regulatory compliance. 
*Conducted employee performance reviews, team building exercises, and all employee training, development and continuing education classes. 
*Oversaw customer service and promptly handled and resolved customer issues. 
*Created and implemented marketing, sales advertising and social media campaigns.

Manager

Re Salon and Med Spa

*Supervised staff of 25 employees and managed daily company operations. 
*Managed weekly staff scheduling and timekeeping. 
*Assisted with employee relations, maintained personnel files conducted training and education classes for all staff. 
*Planned and coordinated employee engagement and team building events. 
*Managed customer service and provided timely resolutions to issues. 
*Managed monthly budgets, all purchasing and inventory management for all retail products and supplies. 
*Created and implemented marketing, sales, promotional, advertising and social media campaigns. 
*Participated in fundraising events, fashion shows and special events in the Charlotte area.

General Manager and Assistant to the Owner

Field of Greens/TCBY

*Managed all daily company operations including supervising staff of 15 employees. 
*Managed weekly staff scheduling, timekeeping and assisted with payroll processing. 
*Oversaw catering for all special events, NASCAR air travel lunches, Pine Lake Pep and others. 
*Prepared and managed daily and monthly budgets and oversaw inventory purchasing of all products and supplies. 
*Created, planned and implemented sales, promotional and employee engagement events.

Catering and General Manager

Esteé Lauder - Dillard's 

*Managed daily business & sales operations for Estee Lauder at Dillard's Citrus Park. 
*Managed weekly scheduling, timekeeping and payroll processing for all beauty advisors. 
*Oversaw recruiting, interviewing, onboarding of new hires including review of corporate polices and procedures. 
*Conducted employee training and developments according to corporate practices. 
Assisted with employee performance reviews, improvement plans and coaching. 
*Implemented contests for beauty advisors and provided mentoring to increase sales production and help staff achieve monthly sales goals. 
*Oversaw purchasing of products and inventory management. 
*Consistently met or exceeded monthly sales goals resulting in double-digit increase in revenue and commissions. 
*Participated in the October BCRF events, fundraisers and fashion shows.

Business Manager

*Highly qualified professional with 15+ years of extensive experience in all levels of management, office operations, customer experience, sales, human resources and managing internal and external relationships with excellent leadership, communication and organizational skills. Extremely professional and accustomed to handling sensitive and highly confidential matters. 
*Manage and maintain the executive office of 125+ associates ensuring the office projects a highly professional image. 
*Manage multiple calendars, appointments and travel for executive leadership team.
*Manage office budgets and expenses, ensuring cost-effective operations
*Manage Customer Experience (CX) and handle all customer inquiries and calls as well as monitor and maintain Odyssey's Customer Service and Carrier Services program. 
*Implement and maintain office policies and procedures.
*Assist in the onboarding process for new employees.
*Liaise with vendors, clients, and other stakeholders.
*Research and resolve questions and complaints to ensure customer retention and 100% satisfaction. 
*Manage Salesforce and maintain customer files, route leads, vet current and potential customers for Responsible Care, OSHA, EPA and other violations, complaints or issues. 
*Motivate and inspire employees to deliver value and solutions for business concerns.

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The Battle

James Lawrence

Allison Gaines

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