February 13, 2011
40 Under 40 Questions (My Answers)
40 Under 40 Questions for winners -
Name: Richard Hearn
Job title: CEO and Managing Director
Company: Crown Partners, LLC
Age: 37
Education: Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University and a Masters in Business Administration from The Ohio State University
Family: Susan (wife), Grant (son) and Lauren (daughter)
Residence: Dayton Ohio & Leesburg Indiana
Favorite Book: Tie between Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and Michael Lewis' Liars Poker.
Favorite musician: Seal, hands down. If you see me with my iPod on, there's a better than not chance I'm listening to a song by Seal.
Favorite sports team: Purdue Boilermakers and Pittsburgh Steelers (we have 6 Superbowls now!). Boiler Up!
Role model: Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic/Records.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Initially a Truck Driver. I mean, who wouldn't want to drive across country in an 18 wheeler with an extended cab?!? I'm not making this up, my parents can vouch for it.
Why did you choose your line of work?
I grew up in a family of attorneys and was always asked if I'd become one myself. The problem is, I'm the kind of person who NEEDS attorneys. Being an entrepreneur fulfills my need for constant change, innovation and creativity. Best of all, the scoreboard as an entrepreneur is always visible. Additionally, truck drivers have horrible hours!
What drives you to succeed?
Winning. In my opinion there is too much focus on just "trying hard". I realize this may rub folks wrong, but second place is the leader of the losers. The great thing about focusing on winning as an entrepreneur, is that it is defined by me. I can set my goals as high or as low as I desire. I tend to get jacked up about achieving something that everybody says "can't be done". Want to motivate me? Tell me what I can't do.
What is your number one career goal for 10 years from now?
I realize it's taboo to talk about money, but my number one career goal is to achieve financial independence. Achieving financial independence for me is a tool (a stepping stone) that will allow me to focus on helping others do the same. All I really want to do is to add more to life than I take from it. If I can do that, I consider my career, my life, a success.
What is one thing you would like to experience outside of your career before you die?
I have my bucket list. They include watching the Steelers win the Superbowl (check), racing in a 24 hour F1 PowerBoat race (check), among others. Still to accomplish include a 3 week world tour to lesser known ancient cities, field an Indy 500 team, and take my father to Barrett Jackson show in Vegas (among others). But if I have to pick one, it would be to fly around the globe in a piston-driven airplane.
What advice would you give to other young up-and-comers?
"It CAN be done". Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. If they do, erase them out of your contact list. Most people go through life criticizing others for trying to achieve big dreams. Only a limited few have the guts to have dreams and stick to them through the end. Remember, just when you think you've failed, success is right around the corner. Never, never give up on your dreams!
What is your definition of innovation, and who do you think is one of the most innovative people alive?
I'm reminded of an Einstein quote (a great innovator): Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. In my opinion, Innovation is about seeing through the prejudices of social norms and creatively or synthetically defining something new and useful to perpetuate human life. Steve Jobs is the most innovative person alive.
What charity or nonprofit do you support most and why?
I'm passionate about helping entrepreneurs be successful. It is my opinion that America is what it is today (save the financial crisis) because of entrepreneurs who take risks and employ over half of the workforce and create 75% of jobs in the process. I'm a huge supporter of Clay Mathile's Aileron non-profit organization. Their aim to help strengthen the community by helping business owners lead and manage their companies is something I dearly believe in.
Job title: CEO and Managing Director
Company: Crown Partners, LLC
Age: 37
Education: Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University and a Masters in Business Administration from The Ohio State University
Family: Susan (wife), Grant (son) and Lauren (daughter)
Residence: Dayton Ohio & Leesburg Indiana
Favorite Book: Tie between Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and Michael Lewis' Liars Poker.
Favorite musician: Seal, hands down. If you see me with my iPod on, there's a better than not chance I'm listening to a song by Seal.
Favorite sports team: Purdue Boilermakers and Pittsburgh Steelers (we have 6 Superbowls now!). Boiler Up!
Role model: Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic/Records.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Initially a Truck Driver. I mean, who wouldn't want to drive across country in an 18 wheeler with an extended cab?!? I'm not making this up, my parents can vouch for it.
Why did you choose your line of work?
I grew up in a family of attorneys and was always asked if I'd become one myself. The problem is, I'm the kind of person who NEEDS attorneys. Being an entrepreneur fulfills my need for constant change, innovation and creativity. Best of all, the scoreboard as an entrepreneur is always visible. Additionally, truck drivers have horrible hours!
What drives you to succeed?
Winning. In my opinion there is too much focus on just "trying hard". I realize this may rub folks wrong, but second place is the leader of the losers. The great thing about focusing on winning as an entrepreneur, is that it is defined by me. I can set my goals as high or as low as I desire. I tend to get jacked up about achieving something that everybody says "can't be done". Want to motivate me? Tell me what I can't do.
What is your number one career goal for 10 years from now?
I realize it's taboo to talk about money, but my number one career goal is to achieve financial independence. Achieving financial independence for me is a tool (a stepping stone) that will allow me to focus on helping others do the same. All I really want to do is to add more to life than I take from it. If I can do that, I consider my career, my life, a success.
What is one thing you would like to experience outside of your career before you die?
I have my bucket list. They include watching the Steelers win the Superbowl (check), racing in a 24 hour F1 PowerBoat race (check), among others. Still to accomplish include a 3 week world tour to lesser known ancient cities, field an Indy 500 team, and take my father to Barrett Jackson show in Vegas (among others). But if I have to pick one, it would be to fly around the globe in a piston-driven airplane.
What advice would you give to other young up-and-comers?
"It CAN be done". Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. If they do, erase them out of your contact list. Most people go through life criticizing others for trying to achieve big dreams. Only a limited few have the guts to have dreams and stick to them through the end. Remember, just when you think you've failed, success is right around the corner. Never, never give up on your dreams!
What is your definition of innovation, and who do you think is one of the most innovative people alive?
I'm reminded of an Einstein quote (a great innovator): Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. In my opinion, Innovation is about seeing through the prejudices of social norms and creatively or synthetically defining something new and useful to perpetuate human life. Steve Jobs is the most innovative person alive.
What charity or nonprofit do you support most and why?
I'm passionate about helping entrepreneurs be successful. It is my opinion that America is what it is today (save the financial crisis) because of entrepreneurs who take risks and employ over half of the workforce and create 75% of jobs in the process. I'm a huge supporter of Clay Mathile's Aileron non-profit organization. Their aim to help strengthen the community by helping business owners lead and manage their companies is something I dearly believe in.