Today’s Notable Young Professional is real estate developer Maxime Lachance, who’s the mastermind behind some of Montreal’s most impressive residential projects. We caught up with Maxime to find out what inspired his career and which development he considers the biggest milestone so far…
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1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
As a residential real estate developer, I’ve built and sold over 600 units. My current project, with renowned designer Philippe Starck, is YOO Montreal in Griffintown.
2. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
I’m not sure whether it’s my first three-condo project 10 years ago or the YOO Montreal project I’m working on at the moment. I’d probably have to say both of them! In fact, all of the projects I’ve been involved in are memorable to me because there’s a special feeling that’s hard to describe when you build a building from scratch and then see people move into it and make it their home.
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Difficult question… I have so many projects in mind. My first answer would be that I will still be doing what I’m currently doing, simply because I love it.
4. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
When you’re young, work to learn, not to earn.
If ‘Plan A’ doesn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters. Stay cool!
5. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Yes, it’s important to give back. We are approached often, but I’ve made a choice to give to foundations that are children-oriented.
6. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Delegating. I want to make all the decisions, but at a certain point that becomes impossible. You have to have confidence in the team you put together and find the right balance. My team does many things much better than me.
You also need solid communication skills to explain your vision and extend it to the team. To be honest, I still have work to do in this respect.
7. What does the word notable mean to you?
It means that you work for what you get. You become notable when you fulfil your objectives, whether in your personal or professional life.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
At the moment, I’d say Grinder. I love the food and décor, and it’s close to my house and office. I also know the owner and most of the staff, and they make me feel at home every time I stop by.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Google for sure! I’m a Google addict, probably like 7/8 of the planet! My most played song at the moment:
I just returned from Mykonos, and the Jeep I rented there had this CD in the CD player. Listening to it keeps me in a vacation mood!
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
My Instagram @team41gumball and @yoomontreal – sorry, had to give a shout-out to myself!
After me, I would say @richardbranson. I also recently discovered @lucdesign.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Again, I can’t put finger on just one. I’ve had the chance to travel to more than 30 countries in the past few years, and whenever I have the chance to travel, I do. For me, a country is almost like an individual. They all have their character traits, some good and some bad. They can be great for one person and leave someone else indifferent. It also depends on the traveller’s mood at that point in time. There are too many aspects to consider, so I wouldn’t want to send your readers to any specific country.
I can’t tell you what my next destination will be. I usually go somewhere I have been invited to by a local or someone who knows the country. I think it’s just more efficient to know the place, particularly given the short amount of time I usually have.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
I would say a project or property! Even if I’m not in acquisition or investment mode, I always want to know what’s out there, regardless of the size of the deal. I need to have a look at it.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
TV: Reality makeover/construction shows.
Food: Pickles, ketchup, chips and McDonald’s drive through.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
My Harley Davidson. My Harley Davidson.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Freedom.
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