Circe donning her namesake line.Circe Wallace is a person we can all look up to -- athlete, agent, ambassador of action sports. As a young woman she pursued her passion for snowboarding and became pro, paving the way for an entire generation of female snowboarders.

Not one to rest on her laurels, she soon applied her keen business sense to help top talent achieve success both on and off the hill, having represented some of action sport's biggest names including Travis Rice, Ryan Sheckler and Paul Rodriguez.

Reputed as tough, visionary and always looking after her client's best interest, Circe still found time to raise a daughter and, this past year, launch a namesake women's outerwear line.

Between trips to Vancouver, Europe and Asia, Circe even found time to chat with BNQT to provide us insight on to what it takes to bring it all together and keep the flame alive.

- James Sullivan

Pro File: Circe Wallace

Circe you've had quite the career: beginning as a pro snowboarder, then switching to representing pro athletes, now a clothing line. Let's start at the beginning. When did you start snowboarding?
I started snowboarding the early 80s. Like '84 or something, like, a really embarrassingly long time ago.
Early days with Shaun Palmer and Jamie Lynn.

How did snowboarding as lifestyle morph in a pro career?
I knew really early on that I wanted to try and be a pro snowboarder. I had a boyfriend once who told me I should give it up, I would never make it as a pro. I broke up with him on the spot. I knew I could be that good and I also knew I never wanted a boyfriend who didn't believe anything was possible.

What were the highlights of being pro rider?
Highlights were traveling the world, exploring all of the amazing places. I barely scratched the surface; I am still working on it. I am truly a Gadabout. I also met my first love Jamie Lynn and married Andy Hetzel with whom I have an amazing daughter, Ava...all because I was a snowboarder.
Circe during her pro days in AK.

What epiphany did you have that made you decide to be an agent?
I got injured and fired. I decided that brands should be accountable to supporting their talent and I wanted to help athletes. I felt there was a need for it and I still do. I love my job.

What skills do you feel are most critical in being an effective agent?
Communication skills and the ability to be honest, while still being strategic.

There are a number of agents in action sports, each representing various athletes, how does one go about getting talent like Travis Rice and Paul Rodriguez, or for that matter, why do they choose you?
They choose me because I am awesome...haha. Just kidding. I don't know. Maybe because they felt my passion. I think having had a career as an athlete and being very committed to my work and having a love for it that shines through helps. I had just had Ava when I signed both of the athletes. To think they believed in me as a new mom and gave me a chance. I also think Travis and Paul follow their hearts and they somehow maybe knew that I was the right person to represent them. I am so honored to work with everyone I represent. It boggles my mind every day that I get to support the greatest talent of our time. It's a trip.
Hanging with Hawk, TK and P-RodWhat are some of the common stresses you face representing a client?
Stress, what stress? Haha...I think you always want to over deliver and when times are tough economically that can be hard. It's challenging to tell talent that their careers are winding down, or that their opportunities are limited. You believe in them so much, but if the market can't support their expectations it can be challenging. It's not really up to me how good someone might be. I especially get frustrated representing women and dealing with the industry's limited support of them. It's hard sometimes to not get angry when you feel an athlete isn't getting what they deserve, or have earned. Athletes can be disposable heroes. As a former one that is hard to deal with sometimes.

Benny Bright, Circe and Torah Bright at Cyprus
Mountain.

One woman you do represent is Olympic Gold Medalist Torah Bright (as well as Bronze Medalist Scotty Lago). What was it like to see them achieve such success on a world stage?
It might sound weird but I totally feel like an active participant in their success. Even if it was just positive thought I always knew they had it in them. Torah from the minute I met her I knew she would achieve greatness. She has this fierce determination underneath her lovely, gracious personality. Not that many people may see it, but I always just knew. Scotty was such the dark horse going into this and I really just knew that he was going to be just at his physical and mental best going into Vancouver. After seeing him at the last Grand Prix finally turn it on when he really needed too was so amazing I cried. I also rep I-pod and it was hard for me to see that last run score by the Finnish kid (Peetu Piiroinen). I so wanted Iouri on that podium. He rode so great and has worked so hard. It s been a crazy ride let me tell you. I think I need a nap.
Photo: Jodi Hilton for The New York Times
Scotty Lago at home in NH unwinding from the Olympic
Whilwind
Scotty Lago has been dealing with some gossipy attention from his now infamous TMZ image. How do you as an agent deal with that situation?
I think I am at my best in a crisis situation. The minute I got the call (the morning after Torah won and woke up in a bed of Gold Glitter, tired from doing press for days) I knew that the best thing Scotty could do was to apologize and take some responsibility for his actions. I am a rebel at heart and have always felt that we as Snowboarders probably didn't really belong at the Olympics, but as an agent I know how great of an opportunity it is for these athletes to compete on the world stage for their countries. I could argue all day long about the FIS, this history, the questionable behavior of some of the IOC, but in reality the American public already knows this. Scotty proves it. Public opinion is clear. Scotty acted like a happy American kid celebrating the greatest achievement of his life, he just forgot he was on the world stage. He is such a good person and I am so happy for him. Honestly we both see this situation as an opportunity for Scotty to Trump some of the White storm and actually be recognized for his achievements. Only in today s world would a girl get paid to show up, ask a kid to pose for a questionable picture, take it, sell it and TMZ make it a headline. I always say we live in the future ...he is a example of where we are at today with the internet as big brother and the public was outraged. We only did two press requests. NY times (see NY Times article) and Jimmy Kimmel.Watch for him Friday night. I think Todd Richards said it best "don't invite the rebels to the party if you don t want them to piss in the trash can." It's a cultural thing. Snowboarders have always been fun and not very PC, but hey snowboarding half-pipe got some of the highest ratings at the 2010 Olympics and everyone should be happy.

Circe at a Roxy team heli trip.

Beyond your recent Olympic success what are you most proud of achieving as an agent (for yourself and for an athlete you've represented)?
Generally I am proud that I followed my heart and I have a career I love. I feel that is one of my life's greatest achievements. As it relates to talent, I look at the brands they are aligned with that I helped establish with an understanding of who is the best fit, or the best organizations for long careers. I am just a facilitator but I help point people down the right path. Having quite literally grown up in this industry I know who the best brands are and who is going to support an athlete in the best way possible. I am really proud of some of the films I have produced and events I have helped bring to life. (i.e. TiTa, Natural Selection, Fair Bits, etc.)

Circe with Nicolas Mueller, Quiksilver CEO Bob
McNight and Travis Rice.
How is being a producer different than being an agent?
Being a producer is really just an extension of being an agent. My primary responsibility is to ensure they are doing everything they can to maximize their window of opportunity while creating a lasting business. I appreciate working with athletes that want to create. Working with Travis on That's It That's All was a great experience. To work hard as a group and to create the best film possible was very rewarding. I enjoy being part of a creative process. I don't just want to do contracts all day, I want to make dreams come true.

Any new productions in the works?
We are working on a new film FLIGHT with Travis and Curt Morgan and I am producing a show with my client Terry Kennedy that will be on BET. A few other things too early to mention. Producing takes a lot of projects in hopes of a few getting funded, especially in this climate.

CIRCE line on display.

Earlier this season you officially launched your own product line, CIRCE. Did you just wake up one day and say, I'm going to start a brand?
I didn't really just wake up, but I was (and still am) appalled by the lack of good fashion on the hill. I was at Squaw Valley recently and I have decided it really is truly a lost art. It hurts me to see so many ugly outfits on the mountain.

Circe was a Greek Goddess of magic - what magic is in your line?
It is magical. Please go to circesnow.com and see for yourselves. I love creating this line. It is truly a passion project. It has new technology and all kinds of well thought out aspects.
CIRCE line during Aspen Fashion Week shoot.

How do you make CIRCE stand out?
I just made something beautiful and luxurious but kept it simple. I have always had a thing about wanting to be appropriately dressed, to enjoy being dressed for whatever activity might be the activity of the day. It's imperative to my own happiness to feel strong and dressed nicely. I am bringing the bunny back! Our designs are strong and modern while paying homage to the golden era of ski fashion. Everywhere I go women ask me where I got my ski suit.

Who is CIRCE's ideal clientele / where can they find it?
Women of all ages who are adventurous, want to look great and have functional products. Found at Circesnow.com
Circe grabs a fun one close to home.You have a beautiful little girl. How do you balance your work life with your home life?
I don't know that I do to be honest, but she makes it easy to pay attention. She is quite literally the light of my life. My mom told me when I had her the best advice I ever got which was this child is coming into your life. Don't change your dreams, bring her into your own. I have done that and she is so worldly and smart. She blows my mind every day and she makes me stop and smell the flowers. It is transformative and I know it's cliche, but it's really all that matters and when you have one you will understand. She fuels my desire to achieve my goals and show her anything is possible.

You're among the top echelon of action sports industry veterans. Where do you see this industry 5, 10, 20 years down the road and do you expect to still be a part of it?
I suspect that I will always be involved in some capacity. I feel this industry is my family and how that evolves I am not sure. I know that I can't imagine doing anything else. So many people go off to college, pick a job based on what other people expect or to get some status quo job that gives them social stature, money, whatever. It's all defined by others. I don't want to live life like that. I started snowboarding because I loved it. I became a business woman because I was drawn to that; I make beautiful ski wear because I want to wear it.

Circe knows how to multi-task while keeping a grip
on the wheel of life.I still work in this industry because I love skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing and have a deep appreciation for them, their independent cultures and families within them. There is some negativity, but I know that I am in this business because I actually do these things and am inspired by their art, music and movement. I think skateboarding is the sexiest. I love snowboarding because nothing gives me more joy than taking a run at Squaw with Ava, hitting wall hits and feeling the cold air. Surfing is something I do regularly and movement is life. I hope to do all of these things until I die.

All images courtesy: Circe Wallace