JPFreek - Index

JPFreek - Spring 2008 - Index

Dirty Day Job:
On the trail with
Sedona Jeep School
In search of interesting Jeep jobs, Mark Stephens hit the road again and
found himself in Sedona, Arizona, where he got taught a thing or two at
Jeep School..
By Mark D. Stephens
Contributing Editor
“Work sucks. I’m going 4-wheeling.” Picture simple white lettering on a black background.
One of my Jeep buddies gave me that bumper sticker, and it’s an attitude with which I’m familiar.
I can count at least a half-dozen friends who not only made that statement, but who did something
about it. They’ve opened up businesses in the off-highway industry, trying to make passion produce
paycheck. Quick mental count: three retailers, a consulting firm, two magazines, one guide service,
and one videography service. Okay, make that eight business endeavors.
Here’s a different one, though: Sedona Jeep School. If Nena Barlow, the owner, has ever said,
“work sucks, I’m going 4-wheeling,” she’s got a problem: she’s already out there where you and I
would rather be. Nena spends her days on the trail with Jeep owners who want to learn how to use
their vehicles.
I can’t be any more forthright: what a cool job.
Think about what her “office” looks like: it has a convertible top, removable doors, low-range
transfer case, and 32-inch tires. It’s bright red, too.
My God, sign me up. “Goodbye three-hole punch, hello three-point-five trail.”