BC Business
BCBusiness will announce the 2017 30 Under 30 winners on April 13. In the meantime, here's what a 2016 winner had to say last year
To help us choose last year’s 30 Under 30, we sent each candidate a series of questions to see what made them tick. Here’s how Colin O’neill, who Co-founded Target Tape Inc., responded.
What motivational quote gets you going?“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! Has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.’ – Calvin Coolildge”
Beyond family/friends, who inspires you to succeed?“Standing in an operating room and watching my idea help someone at one of the more crucial times of their life, like spine surgery, really inspires me to be successful and try to expand the benefits of my devices.”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?“There has been a lot from my mentors. Setting daily goals has been really helpful to me, giving me accountability and motivation on a project that has extended over many years.”
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?“Too much pressure and stress in high school to get into a top school’ – wrong advice.”
What is your biggest fear?“That I’m in denial about something and not realizing when I’m doing something wrong. Good friends and strong relationships help.”
What is your biggest regret?“Well personally, it probably would be not coming out’ earlier it took a long-term relationship to break me out of my bubble. With my work, it may be not expanding and bringing on more people earlier. There were benefits to keeping it small, but now with more people, the energy and productivity has increased significantly.”
What’s your favourite TV show right now?“The Expanse is a sci-fi series I previously read and have been looking forward to its release. I really enjoy how the series (and sci-fi in general) explores pressing issues in society, be it moral, social, technological etc. and brings it all together into a pretty credible and engrossing story.”
Favourite magazine?“The Economist. I did an honours degree in economics as well as one in engineering.”
What song is on repeat on your device right now?“Genghis Khan’ by Miike Snow”
A little-known fact about me is “I am in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and lived in the house at UBC for over four years – it kept things busy!”
Meet the 2017 winners at the 30 Under 30 celebration.