I’m standing there looking at what may possibly be the largest American Flag that I have ever seen. It’s hanging on the wall, stretching from floor to ceiling. It’s easily over 12ft tall. Directly behind me there are a few dozen computer work stations setup in a collaborative style. I had just walked through a workout area, a few small conferences rooms, a large collaborative lunch room/meeting area with photos of employees cars hanging on the wall, and a showroom in which a 20’ high wall full of wheels overlooks a few Porsches and a Lamborghini Aventador. How is it possible that while I toil away at a corporate office job writing TPS reports and fixing the paper jam in the printer, Alex gets to help build all of this. Deep down inside I know the truth though, he was willing to put in the effort and take the risks that I wasn’t. How does that old saying go, “No risk, no reward”?
For many car enthusiasts, there is a defining moment in their lives when they transition from young adults playing with cars into full blown “Adulthood”. Whether that be the birth a child, buying a home, settling into your corporate career, or a myriad of other “Adult” responsibilities, I can’t begin to count the number of high school friends that told me their entire lives were going to revolve around cars. Yearbook quotes of “I live my life a quarter mile at a time” and “I am going to build the fastest Honda in the city” were rhetoric. Yet as I sit here 12 years after graduating high school, I can count on one hand the number of those friends who are still involved in the automotive community, let alone have their lives revolve around it.
We all know that life moves forward, and that priorities change. But how is it possible that someone who’s life unquestionably revolved around cars, could in such short order, change so drastically that they no longer think about cars in any way other than a form of transportation? Is it societal pressure? Is it the rhetoric beat into our heads from an early age of what “Adulthood” is supposed be? A university education, a white picket fence, marriage and then kids? I’m not going to get into my personal thoughts of society and the stifling of creativity forced down our throats by those that crashed our economy in 2008, but I feel that many of those young, ambitious, talented individuals who wanted to make cars their lives didn’t ever believe that they could. They weren’t informed or guided with the same zest as they were pushed into 4 year degrees and corporate jobs. Some will argue that if they weren’t willing to put in the effort to find their own way, they didn’t deserve it. I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with that statement. In fact, I tend to agree. Spend some time listening to stories of famous business owners and influencers. Sure there are times when they came from wealth and had everything handed to them on a silver platter, but more often than you realize they worked their ass off to get where they are. And one thing is common among all of these people, their voice is in unison; nothing is holding you back. Get out there, believe that anything is possible, and work your ass off to achieve it. Every. Damn. Day. Welcome to Alex and Rebekah’s life.
I was first introduced to Alex a few years ago when a Facebook group known as WCEC (Wisconsin Car Enthusiast Club) became popular. What started off as a small group created by a high school student and a self-proclaimed beginner in the car world, it has ballooned into one of the largest automotive based Facebook groups in the country. At current time of writing, the group surpasses 60,000 members with thousands of those members being active every day. Alex spent a few years growing the group to eventually host car shows, sell merchandise, and create a culture that promoted the acceptance of everyone’s ideas. For better or worse, the group was a microcosm of social media in today’s automotive climate. Hate ran wild and any attempt to squash it only stoked the fire of those dead set on disrupting it. As the group grew and Alex continued learning how handle the pressures that come with it, he had one person by his side through it all, Rebekah.
Alex and Rebekah started dating during their senior year of high school. As college came and went, they continued to support each other’s passions. This is the point that most people tend to settle into their “Adult” lives and give up on their automotive lifestyle dreams. That was not the case however for these two. As wedding plans were underway, they made a life changing decision. Alex and Rebekah were married in August of 2017, and less than 2 months later they made the move from Eau Claire WI to Appleton WI (~3 hours across the state). Moving away from your job and the place that you call home is never easy, but with the support of Rebekah Alex took the risk.
Alex has thrived in his new role. He is now the Vice President of Marketing. By taking the risk to move away from home, he did what most aren’t willing to do. This is where he differs from most of those high school friends that I knew. He was not only willing to take the risk, but he truly believed that he could make it work. He believed that he could make a living do what he loves, not just try to participate in his passion on the side of a “9 to 5” job. His years of experience handling WCEC prepared him for this. He was going to make this work.
To make a life changing decision such as moving across the state for your significant other is a huge sign of support, and Rebekah is a rock for Alex. However, seeing the passion Alex had for his work, she felt it was time for her to take that leap herself. With the help and encouragement of Alex, in November of 2018 Rebekah opened her own salon, White Pine Salon & Spa in the Appleton area. Coming up next month will be her 1 year anniversary of owning her own business. It is this support between each other that allows them to spend so much time focusing on themselves, yet not get overwhelmed with life.
It may seem like I breezed right past all of the hard work and dedication that both Alex and Rebekah put in to get to this point in their lives. But that’s not the point I am trying to make. Anybody who owns a successful business knows how much time and effort it takes. Anybody who took a big risk to chase a dream knows how frightening it can be. The key for Alex and Rebekah lies within each other. They are there for each other. They support each other and believe in each other. Both work well over 40 hours a week to accomplish what they have. What that does mean is that they have both agreed to sacrifice time spent together to achieve their goals. Finding that in a spouse is difficult. Because Alex and Rebekah both have that drive to create and build careers of their dreams, they are able to use that fighting spirit to make the time they do get to spend together that much more meaningful.
One of the ways that they find time to bond is driving together. The Martinez’s are a Porsche family. Rebekah drives a 1982 Porsche 911 SC. A recent longblock rebuild has been completed and the car is driving perfectly. The car still sports the original paint and interior. The market for these air cooled Porsche’s has exploded recently, and seeing them always brings a smile to my face.
The paint isn’t perfect, and that’s exactly as it should be. Seeing one of the all time greatest driving cars in its original condition is refreshing. Although it doesn’t get as many miles as it should due to their overwhelming schedules, it does get driven. Many argue that air cooled 911’s are some of the best driving cars, and one day I hope to get the chance to experience one.
Such a beautifully simple interior.
Alex is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum compared to Rebekah’s car. He drives a 2001 Porsche 911 with quite a few modifications.
The Techart GT bodykit is wrapped in a Skepple design with a vintage/patina theme. These types of wraps are polarizing, but I highly respect the fact that he does this for him, nobody else.
There is a set of Brembo 350 front brakes, Motion Clubsport Coilovers, and a set of custom made (1-of-1) ESR ES11-st wheels in 19×9/19×12 wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S’ that complete the exterior modifications.
Performance modifications include a BBI Autosport intake, exhaust, and most importantly upgraded turbos and intercooler. As the car sits, it makes around 600whp.
The interior is relatively untouched. A short throw shifter, a custom audio setup and some GT seats complete the car. The tan colored interior with the carbon fiber accents really set the interior off when paired with the wrap.
The Porsche badge may be one of the most beautiful in the automotive world.
This article is less about cars than most posts here on Midwest Automotive. This post is about following your passion. This post is about making calculated risks. Most importantly, this post is about finding those who want to help you achieve your dreams. Success requires hard work and dedication, and that means time. Money comes and goes, but time is constant. To be able to find someone who understands your passions and accepts the sacrifices necessary to achieve your dreams should not be taken for granted. Alex and Rebekah understand this, and do their best support each other in any way possible. It’s not always easy, but damn it’s worth it.
– Andrew
Wow, what an amazing and thoughtful write up about Rebekah and Alex! About a dream and running the race and giving it all you have to achieve it. These two are beautiful, loving people and I’m proud to be their Mom♥️ As they grow together in every area of their lives and are successful in what they do, they remain humble and caring about other people. This is uncommon with success so I want to say thank you to both of you for rising to reach your dreams but also remembering what we as your parents taught you about caring for others. Having a job doing what you love and are gifted in is a dream many never achieve. Glad you both have kept your focus and have never given up. I am proud of you both and support you in all that you do.