The industries of automotive manufacturing and yacht-making run parallel. Both industries are a goldmine of passionate innovators and engineers. Inspired by the classics achievements of industry legends, enthusiasts make careers out of testing, racing, selling, and marketing the brands. But pursuing passion for others is all about ownership of the best that the world has to offer.
Sir Henry Royce
“Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. Accept nothing as nearly right or good enough.”
Sir Royce’s pursuit of perfection started early in his life. And his family must have recognized his keen eye for perfection. It was, in fact, an aunt who funded Sir Henry Royce’s apprenticeship at age 14. In that first job, he worked for the Great Northern Railway. He had no formal education but grasped every opportunity in pursuing his passion for education. So, he studied algebra, French and electrical engineering in his free time. Then, Sir Royce went on to mastermind the brand associated with the British royal family, Maharajas, aristocrats, and the global elites.
Enzo Ferrari
“The fact is I don’t drive just to get from A to B. I enjoy feeling the car’s reactions, becoming part of it.”
Enzo Ferrari started in a small factory in Maranello. With the help of legendary race victories and his right-hand man, Chief Design Officer Flavio Manzoni, he created the legendary brand. But even today more than a century later, individuals behind various automotive brands follow his example in pursuing passion. They are “literally changing the world before our eyes and making the theoretical a reality.”
Pursuing Passion in the Yachting Industry
“In the Victorian era, it was said that the length of a man’s boat, in feet, should match his age, in years.”
The quote comes from New Yorker in this article with a brilliant title: The Haves and the Have-Yachts.
Yacht builders share the same set of passions as their counterparts in the automotive industry. In fact, “carmakers and superyacht builders are the ultimate power couple.” Interestingly, Enzo Ferreri’s son, Piero Ferrari, is donned a serial superyacht owner. There have been a number of collaborations between the two industries where pursuing passion is an extreme sport!
Women make up less than 10 percent in the industries of mobility. Beverly Smirnis hosts two People Pursuing Passion in the automotive industry on her new podcast COMING SOON! They both happen to be women!
