Discover Jim's Journey

 My life has always been rooted in contribution and leadership. Growing up on horse ranches in Riverside County, California, I learned the value of hard work and responsibility from an early age. Those lessons shaped every chapter of my life and continue to guide me today.

Horses: Our Family Foundation

Horses weren’t just a part of life—they were the foundation of our family. While my path eventually led me in new directions, most of my family stayed deeply connected to the horse industry.

• My father, Gene Newcomb, managed training ranches and stud farms and spent much of his career hauling horses across the country.
• My mother, Judy Wright, dedicated her life to teaching riding lessons, training horses, and judging many breeds. She spent over 30 years judging with the American Pinto Horse Association and was inducted into their Judges Hall of Fame in 2009.
• My brother, Dr. John Newcomb (DVM), has spent two decades caring for show horses—primarily reining, jumping, and dressage horses. As an FEI-certified vet, he served as the USEF Reining Team Veterinarian for the 2002 and 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games and contributed to the AQHA Research Committee.
• My brother, Jeff Newcomb, owns a farm in De Leon, Texas, and lives in Fort Worth.
• My “favorite” sister, Janet VanBebber (a long-standing inside joke), has had a remarkable career in the racing industry. She became the Chief Racing Officer of the AQHA in 2016 after an exceptional run as a trainer, achieving over 1,000 wins. One of her most notable champions, Tailor Fit, still ranks among the breed’s top money earners nearly two decades after his final race. Janet was inducted into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2022.
• My youngest brother, Will Wright, grew up in the same ranch lifestyle but, like me, chose a different path of leadership and service.

USAF Veteran

My time in the United States Air Force was a defining chapter of my life. Serving as the Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Environmental Health Services sharpened my leadership skills and taught me the importance of discipline and resilience. I was honored to receive the Air Force Commendation Medal for my service.

My personal motto about my service?
“Join the Air Force and tour Texas!”

• San Antonio (Basic Training)
• Wichita Falls (where snow blew sideways on the flight line)
• Back to San Antonio
• Then off to Lubbock, which conveniently explains how I ended up at Texas Tech!

Education

In my senior year of high school, I was honored to be nominated and accepted into the Air Force Academy. Unfortunately, during my physical exam, I was diagnosed with a heart murmur, which disqualified me from attending. Back to square one!

But that setback didn’t slow me down:

• I began studying Social Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino.
• After enlisting in the Air Force, I later attended Texas Tech University and transferred to the University of New Mexico School of Architecture.
• While studying in Albuquerque, I took a part-time job in menswear retail, which led to a management role—a stepping stone that shaped my future in business.
• Years later, I pursued Marketing at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.

Retail Management

My first experience in menswear retail started as a part-time job in high school. Years later, while studying at the University of New Mexico, I returned to retail and quickly moved up the ranks. I was promoted to Assistant Manager and then offered a General Manager position to open a new store at Fiesta Mall in Mesa, AZ.

That role propelled me into the next chapter of my career. I later moved to San Diego, where I became the Buyer and Assistant Merchandise Manager for a high-end local menswear chain. This experience sharpened my eye for detail and deepened my understanding of business operations—skills that would later serve me well in real estate and entrepreneurship.

Real Estate Broker

My transition into real estate marked the beginning of a two-decade career as a leader in North San Diego County. I started as an Office Broker with Prudential California Realty, later becoming the Managing Broker at Dave Stubbs Real Estate.

My leadership extended beyond managing offices—I served as the President of the San Dieguito Association of Realtors and was a member of the California Association of Realtors Board of Directors. I was even a volunteer speaker on the topic of merging local Realtor associations, helping to form the North San Diego County Association of Realtors.

Real estate wasn’t just a job for me—it was about building relationships and guiding others to success.

Quiet Creek Inn: Where Hospitality Meets Art

This one’s a little more complex but full of great stories. We sold our property in San Diego and bought the Quiet Creek Inn in Idyllwild, CA. What started as managing a cozy inn evolved into something much bigger.

A few years in, we expanded the business by adding vacation rentals and reintroducing real estate sales into the mix. But we didn’t stop there.

Quiet Creek Living Room Gallery

Here’s where things get interesting. I joined the Idyllwild Arts Foundation, supporting the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Beyond traditional fundraising, the Foundation hosted the Annual Idyllwild Jazz Festival, drawing major headliners and visitors from all over Southern California. I served in various roles and ultimately became President of the Foundation.

Meanwhile, my partner became involved with the Art Alliance of Idyllwild (AAI), a vibrant group of local artists, galleries, and small businesses—our inn included. The AAI sponsored regular art events and the annual Plein Air Festival, which we proudly hosted at the Quiet Creek Inn.

During the festival, Plein Air paintings filled our living room walls, blending art and hospitality in a way that felt natural. We loved the art so much that we bought several pieces each year, decorating our cabins, office, and personal space with local talent.

Visitors didn’t just come to Idyllwild for the fresh mountain air—they came for the food, the arts, and the sense of community. That’s how the Quiet Creek Living Room Gallery was born—a space where guests could relax and enjoy the artistic heartbeat of the village. Now you can see how the gallery got its name, right?

 In December 2011, I received the Essence of Idyllwild Award. This was a wonderful capstone to my years in Idyllwild. We sold the Inn the following year. 

Hospitality Recruiting

After six fulfilling years of running the Quiet Creek Inn, we sold the property and moved to the Palm Springs area, where I made one of the best decisions of my life—joining Goodwin Recruiting.

Working from home as an independent contractor, I spent 11.5 incredible years connecting talented professionals with meaningful career opportunities. The flexibility of remote work allowed me to build lasting relationships and mentor others, all while supporting the growth of the industries I loved.

Throughout my time at Goodwin, I was honored to receive several awards that reflect my commitment to excellence and collaboration:

• 2016 Partner of the Year – Recognized for building strong relationships, effective communication, and unwavering attention to detail.
• 2017 Ambassador of the Year – Acknowledged for fully embracing and promoting Goodwin’s core values.
• 2018 Extensive Support Coach of the Year – Honored for supporting the success of my colleagues, clients, and candidates.

These awards are a reflection of my dedication to helping others succeed—a guiding principle that has shaped every chapter of my career.

Life on the Road: Working and Exploring

For three unforgettable years, my husband and I traveled the western U.S. in our 5th wheel RV, accompanied by our four dogs. While exploring breathtaking landscapes and new places, I continued recruiting with Goodwin Recruiting, maintaining—and sometimes even improving—my placement numbers.

This experience taught me that success doesn’t depend on location; it’s about consistency, connection, and adaptability.

Our journey eventually led us to Tucson, Arizona, where fate nudged us to settle down. A sudden dust devil damaged our RV, leaving us with over a month of repairs. That unexpected detour inspired us to shift gears, purchase our current home, and fully embrace life in Tucson—a place that now feels like home.

Now What?

Retirement doesn’t mean slowing down—it means shifting gears.

Now, I’m channeling my passion and experience into helping small businesses thrive in the digital space. Through ventures like AIPoweredSmartSites.com, I provide affordable, AI-driven websites designed to help small, locally owned businesses and nonprofits grow and succeed.

Each phase of my journey—from ranch life to real estate, hospitality, and recruiting—has been marked by a commitment to leadership, service, and helping others succeed. This next chapter is no different.

And the best part? I get to keep doing what I love—empowering others to reach their full potential.