Member Spotlight on William Davidson

Member Spotlight on WILLIAM DAVIDSON
Owner/CEO Hybrid Racing

Interview conducted by Winnie Hart, Communications Director

Please tell us briefly about your company.
Hybrid Racing manufactures and designs performance parts for Hondas and Acuras. These parts are used by our customers to simplify and enhance their cars. The majority of our sales come in over the phone and through our website www.hybridracing.com.

How did you come up with an original idea for your business?
The idea really came from wanting to have the fastest Honda and pushing the envelope to get there. We just happened to push the right envelope.
 
How much money did you have to invest to start your business?
Initially there were 3 owners (now 2) and we invested a total of $43,000.
 
What are your current annual revenues and number of employees?
We currently have 6 employees and last year we did $1.2M in sales.

When did you first realize you were going to be an entrepreneur?
Shortly after I was hired for my first job. I was 15 and I saw all of these problems and had no authority to fix them so I figured the only way to do it my way was to get out there and make it happen.

Why do you think you have been successful?
I think it boils down to listening more than you talk, living below your means, and never telling yourself that you have made it.

What do you do for fun these days?
I can rock out to Call of Duty 2 on my PS3 and I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy thinking about new business ideas. I also love going out to eat with my wife and trying new food as well as doing some road racing every now and then (the legal kind).
 
Who has the biggest influence on your life?
I absorb so much from everyone around me, it's hard to pick just one person, but I would have to say my grandmother. When I really wasn't thinking straight (or just being a young kid) she was there looking out for my best interest. When it was time to start high school, she worked cleaning houses to send me to a boarding school. She spent more money on my education than on herself, her house and her car. It fundamentally changed who I am. It gave me confidence, it let me interact with people outside of my normal "network" and it gave me structure. Without her I can guarantee I would not be where I am today.

What are the most influential books that you have read?
I read Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl and it was pretty epic. I also read Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely and it also ranked high on the epic scale.

What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
When you hear people say "start a business related to your passion" or "start a business doing something you truly love," it is the truth. When the road gets rough, if you love what you do, you can dig in a little deeper to weather the storm.


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