Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneurs is race car driver James Hinchcliffe. We caught up with him to learn about his inspiration and find out what advice he would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I try to get from point A back to point A faster than 24 other guys.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
It began with my father and his interest in British Vintage cars and Formula One and it was through his own racing that I learnt about go-karting and made my first introduction into that world.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
First IndyCar win in 2013 at St. Petersburg.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
In five and 10 years, to still be racing in IndyCar and 20 years from now, the driving will be done but hopefully, I’ll still be involved in this sport somehow. I have always had an interest in broadcasting and then a passion in nurturing young Canadian talent too.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Persistence is the key to success and to never give up on your dreams. Out work the other guys.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation of Canada. The WMFC supports research and those affected by this rare blood cancer. My grandfather on my mum’s side passed away from this and my mum spearheaded this charity in 2002 so it’s obviously very close to my heart.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career?How did you overcome it?
The hardest part was trying to break into IndyCar. That first opportunity is so hard to make happen. Obviously getting to the big show is what you have to do to prove your ability, but the challenges you face from finding the open seats to sponsorship make it extremely difficult to get there.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
I think time is a person’s most valuable asset and to me, the word notable means something worth spending time on.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Bar Buca because the food is incredible, the drinks are great and it’s a little bit of a lesser-known spot. Literally nothing bad on the menu.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Racer.com and anything Clapton.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Uberfacts – you can learn a lot of useful and useless information.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why?And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Turks and Caicos because that’s where I go to get away from it all and relax. Italy because I want to see the Amalfi Coast.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Honestly nothing, I live in the present, wherever I am, I’m happy for that and I don’t long for something that I don’t have. If I had a fear of missing it, I would make sure I was there.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Pizza.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Eating out. I wish I spent more money on cooking lessons.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success is a perfect balance between all three.