Crappy jobs. Like dating an ugly chick (or dude), everyone's experienced at least one or two. But, like everything else, you live and you learn and then you move on. Personally, the worst job I had-before Super Street, that is (I kid, I kid)-was for a big name Hollywood movie director. During the interview, the office manager went into great detail how it was the opportunity of a lifetime, how I would go on sets and learn the production side of films, mingle and learn techniques from the greatest auteurs in the industry, yadda-yadda-yadda. If she was selling crap from bulls, it was by the ton. The closest thing I got to any sort of camera was the photocopier. There are gophers and there was me-a F'in saber-toothed gopher.
There are, however, those very few and far between who are blessed with dope jobs. It never happens to you, but you hear of them. Sort of like an urban legend. The kind of job that offers an opportunity of a lifetime in an environment that fosters an individual's growth. A type of job that takes a person's passion, turns it into their strength, then later into a full-time profession. Sound about as rare as a gopher suffering from a huge overbite? I thought so too, until I heard Steven Forster's story.
Never heard the tale of Steven Forster? Some of the lore may have changed, but the story starts with a college-aged boy obsessed with the tuning lifestyle and his '98 Ford Escort. No, this isn't a comedy: it's a coming of age story, give it some time for the plot to develop. Back to Steven and his, ahem, Escort. With a car unable to live up to its name in providing any sort of escort and no cash to buy a new car, Steven pursued his love for imports by applying for an intern position at Fox Marketing.
Now this isn't the same Fox that's responsible for producing the gamut of lame reality shows, but a boutique marketing firm that specializes in the tuning market. If you've never heard of Fox, a few of their clients might ring some bells: BASF, Mazda, Rockford Fosgate, Toyo. If it isn't ringing like church on Easter Sunday, I must urge you once again, please put this magazine down and walk away. If that isn't enough street cred, Fox Marketing has also helped put feature cars in many a magazine, including the one you are hopefully still holding now.
Despite hundreds of applicants and his Ford Escort, Steven managed to charm his way through an interview with Brian Fox, the mastermindbehind Fox Marketing. For four years, he worked under Brian's tutelage, learning about the industry, spotting trends, networking with clients, attaining product knowledge, and living vicariously through Fox Marketing's project vehicles. Although he didn't have a car yet, that didn't stop Steven. He slowly drafted a strategy for the build of his someday future car.
Enamored with the looks, all-wheel drive, and power in the WRX STi, Steven knew the Impreza was the platform he wanted to use. He knew that if he were to ever get hold of one, he'd hit up KC over at APR to make it hotter than Fox Force Five. As a personal friend, Steven was privy to APR's new wheel-well-blistering GT/SS widebody kit and numerous other wild body mods for the WRX. Learning the importance of workmanship anddetail working under Fox, Steven remindedhimself that the kit was to be molded, retain allfactory brackets, and have the fender wells treated with a factory undercoating.
As for the paint, it was obvious for Steven to contact one of Fox's largest clients, chemical conglomerate BASF, for advice. Like most of us, Steven wanted something different and although BASF had an extensive repertoire of colors and applications, he didn't want the run of the mill.Especially on a personal project that was going to be his statement to the world. Luckily for Steven, BASF just so happened to be wrapping up a new Carizzma Colors campaign promoting a new paint process that has a unique flat metal-like finish. Upon learning of the new application, all Steven had to do was pick his favorite color, blue.