JJ Wilson: Today’s Notable Young Professional

Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is JJ Wilson, one of the founders of luxury athleisure brand Kit and Ace. We caught up with the Vancouver-based businessman to find out what advice he would share with other young professionals and about his favourite places to wine and dine in the city…

WORK

1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.

I am the Co-founder and Head of Brand for Kit and Ace. I work with our incredible creative team to oversee brand strategy. I also founded Ride Cycle Club.

2. What was the inspiration for your career route?

I come from a family that has a strong foundation in technical apparel so working in retail and design was a natural direction for me. In terms of creating Kit and Ace, I loved the fit and the function of my gym clothes but wanted to look more polished day-to-day, so I took the technical attributes of athletic clothing and applied them to daywear.

3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?

I’ve had two: opening the doors of our first Kit and Ace location in Gastown in 2014 and being recognized by Fast Company as one of the Top 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2016.

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?

In the next five years, I would like to split my time between Vancouver and Sydney while working towards opening Kit and Ace’s 151st brick and mortar location. I’d also like to see Ride Cycle Club open 25 locations by that time.

10 years from today I imagine I will still be bicoastal, now living between Sydney and New York. I will be an active member on the board of my family’s businesses, which include Kit and Ace and Ride.

By 2036, ideally Kit and Ace will be dominating the technical apparel world and I will have moved back to Vancouver full-time, where I’ll live with my wife and 6 children.

5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?

Challenge norms, push boundaries, don’t fear mistakes and always be open to learning.

6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?

My family founded imagine1day, a non-profit organization that aims to empower Ethiopians through education. The goal is to provide Ethiopian children with access to education free of foreign aid by 2030.

7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?

Taking a concept that Shannon and I had, and turning it into a global brand. There’s no blueprint for starting a new company but with the help of our incredibly talented team, we were able to turn our vision into a reality.

8. What does the word notable mean to you?

To me, being notable is taking an authentic approach to making a positive impact on the world around you.

PLAY

1. Where is your favourite place to wine / dine in your city and why?

My restaurant roster is always changing but lately, I love AnnaLena in Kitsilano. They never fail to impress.

2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?

I spend a lot of time on Business of Fashion, and I check out the Wall Street Journal every morning. I create lots of playlists for Ride but I’m more likely to use my phone to get in a quick meditation session with Whil, a meditation app we use at Kit and Ace.

3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?

Sorry Coffee Co. and Lindsay Jang, the founder and owner of Sunday’s Grocery.

4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?

Australia, my family spends a lot of time there and it’s where the idea for Kit and Ace was born. Next on my list is José Ignacio, Uruguay.

5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?

I really value time with my friends but my job has me travelling several times a month, so I often miss out. Luckily, I have friends all over the world, so I always have the chance to catch up with someone.

6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

An Aperol Spritz – and following Barry’s Bootcamp on Instagram.

7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?

Sneakers are an expensive habit lately and I’d love to commit to spending more money furnishing my home.

8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…

My definition of success is tied to being notable – doing what you love, and using it to positively influence the world and others around you.