As owners of BuDu Racing in Auburn, Wash., Deanna and Rory Mueller are carrying on rich family traditions of success in business. The couple, who has staged successful multi-sport and other events throughout the Puget Sound region since 2002, traces its entrepreneurial roots back to their families.
Rory’s father was a construction carpenter who owned his own business and several of Deanna’s relatives have found success founding computer-related firms.
The Muellers, who met in church, quickly bonded through their interest in athletics.
“When Deanna and I were married, I was a bike racer and Deanna was a runner, so we looked for a sport we could do together,” said Rory. “I found the sport of duathlon on a web site. We traveled all around Washington competing. I think the one that got us hooked was the Vancouver Lake Duathlon,” he recalled.
Rory started competing in triathlons in the mid-80s, shortly after the couple married. The couple’s competitive nature was eventually shared with their two daughters, Shila and Jenna.
Older daughter Shila, now 19, enjoyed bike racing in the Lance Armstrong Junior Series, excelling in the time trials, while second-grader Jenna is just now starting to show an interest in racing.
The business, largely home-based, gives Deanna a chance to be home with seven-year-old Jenna who inspired the business name.
“Our nickname for Jenna is Bu. We used to joke that we’d compete in a duathlon with her and would call it a BuDu,” Deanna explained.
The Muellers have grown the business into a multi-event promotion machine, currently staging about 50 events a year.
Rory, who enjoyed racing in the old Moses Lake Spring Festival Triathlon, is especially proud to promote the new Moses Lake Triathlon June 9. The company has also expanded into race equipment rental and race timing services.
Ironically, the couple finds they don’t have much time to compete anymore, but Rory still takes on scattered triathlons and Deanna runs the Seattle Half Marathon each year.
The company is still largely a labor of love for the family. Deanna has worked at Washington Mutual part-time as a human resources specialist for 17 years, while Rory enjoys his career as an expeditor at Boeing. The couple found that Rory’s management skills combined with Deanna’s computer savvy brings the business success.
“It’s a real tag-team approach,” Deanna said. “I’ll go out to look at potential races in the morning and come back to plan logistics while Rory handles getting the word out.
“My work at Washington Mutual has also helped me gain people skills,” Deanna added. “I realized that a personal touch to BuDu would make our races stand out.”
Their customers agree. Local athlete Kelly Mobeck, a member of the Women of Substance club, says the Muellers are “rising stars” in multi-sports events.
“BuDu events feel like a family reunion,” said Mobeck. “The people who organize the events are so helpful and supportive. Sometimes when you have thousands of athletes competing, a specific competitor can’t get lost in the crowd. The Muellers make each and every participant feel special, even going so far as to ask the athletes if anyone is having a birthday, and actually signing Happy Birthday to them before a race.”
The Muellers enjoys the service they provide to Puget Sound’s multi-sport athletes, both new and experienced.
“I want to help competitors achieve what we’ve achieved in races,” Deanna said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. By bringing quality fitness events to the area, I can give something back to the community.”
For a schedule of BuDu racing events, visit www.buduracing.com
Sarah Wyatt is a Seattle-based freelance writer.
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