Interview With Adventurer, Entrepreneur and TV Show Host Ingrid Vanderveldt

Posted on 29. Sep, 2010 by Natalie in Entrepreneurs, Featured, Interviews

If you’ve ever envisioned yourself as superwoman then perhaps you’d like to forge a path of entrepreneurship and adventure like Ingrid Vanderveldt is.

If you need large doses of inspiration and that gung ho attitude to get you on the road to success, this interview will definitely provide it.

Ingrid Vanderveldt is the CEO of Clean-Air Conversions, Chief Synergy Officer of Advanced Green Technologies LLC, Managing Partner of Game Change Ventures and host of On the Road with IV. Phew!

She’s also a motorcycle racer, sky-diver, patent holder, risk taker and one woman who spends more times on moving objects than on the ground.

It’s for this very reason that I approached her to do an interview with WomanzWorld plus her mission that possibly beats out mine!

“I am on a mission to show that “anything is possible” in this world and to help current & aspiring entrepreneurs make great things happen.”

Her natural enthusiastic and go-get-em response was that she’d love to. So without further ado may I present this human fireball of determination, integrity and zest for life.

What does it take to become a Supergirl and juggle as many ventures as you do?

The secret? Having a great group of people around me, knowing what I’m good at and what I’m not. Not backing down, standing my ground for what I believe in and jumping out of planes when I need a break .

How the heck do you lead a balanced life of business and your `racey’ lifestyle pursuits?

It all ties together in terms for me in terms of living a TRANSFORMATIVE lifestyle. How do we transform ourselves? Our space? Energy? The earth? What is your CAUSE and what are you going to do to leave your mark on the world? I simply cannot contain myself- I am thrilled about so basically I just GO FOR IT and figure out how to make it all happen in the process.

What three characteristics do you credit your success to in both your personal and professional life?

1) A strong communication/ relationship with Universe/ God whatever it is for you (and listening/ following my “callings”); 2) Integrity and 3) A make-it-happen attitude.

You’ve founded 8 startups and raised $7 million in venture funding, what drives you most as an entrepreneur?

Creating things, ideas and initiatives that I think just need to BE.

Since you’re a founding member of The Billionaire Girls Club, tell us what it’s all about in a nutshell

Inspiring women around the globe to think big and ignite women to create billions in impact for global good.

Tell us what you enjoy most about travelling the world with your TV Show `On the Road with IV’

The people I get to meet who inspire so much of what I do- and traveling. I love to travel and am fascinated with entrepreneurs who just make it happen.

You’ve won many awards and accolades during your lifetime, which one meant the most to you and why?

That’s such a tough one! Each award or accolade is soooo appreciated. I mean, I go into things thinking “oh yeah- I can make this happen”…but realistically- when things happen it’s always a joy and surprise (and I am so grateful).

Then when other people recognize initiatives I have done – its super humbling. I think there are three awards that stand out:

1) Winning Austin Under 40 for technology (after Michael Dell won the year before because its just COOL)

2) Getting my show picked up on CNBC (life dream and proved that even with no experience but sheer will power you can make something happen) and

3) Rebuilding my life after getting knocked down to below ZERO financially, emotionally, career wise etc (my former fiancé was not who I thought, cleaned out our bank accounts and a bad investor did a hostile takeover that turned into a lawsuit) all at the same time. I wanted to jump off any building I could get on top of. Instead I turned into a skydiver.

What is the best business advice you have ever received?

Trust your gut. Integrity is the most important thing you can have. Follow you passion and be persistent and find a great mentor and great people to surround yourself with.

What was more fun: Arm wrestling the Founder of Starbucks, talking to Hugh Hefner in his mansion or beating Alanis Morrisette in a motorcycle race?

Beating Alanis. Not only do I LOVE LOVE LOVE to ride and race bikes- it felt SO FRIGGEN COOL to be able to know that I could ride better than she could (but she can sing WAY better and has a bigger bank account than I do) hahahaha…all in good fun. Would love to do it again.

Which three books have made a personal difference to you and influenced you and why?

Visionary Business (the epilogue is a must read for anyone- great book for new entrepreneurs);

Think and Grow Rich (just a staple) and

Overcoming Underearning (FABULOUS story- and the authors story is incredibly motivating)

What inspired your upcoming book `The Aha Moment’ and what will we learn from it?

This is definitely one of those projects that has been on the creation shelf for some time (which is not like me). There is a book coming out before this one…we will have to revisit this in the Spring.

What is your key piece of advice to women entrepreneurs?

You are BEAUTIFUL and unique. You have gifts to bring to the world and you only rob us and you if you don’t bring them out to the world. The most successful entrepreneurs in the world have, at some point, had some monumental hiccup (death, bankruptcy, divorce, lost a business or lost a job) and they used that hiccup to define their go forward.

SO DON’T LET ANYONE OR ANYTHING STOP YOU! You can be, do or have anything you choose. All you have to do is CHOOSE…and then let be.

A big thank you to IV who made time to be featured here on WomanzWorld – it’s an honour. If you’re inspired then check out Ingrid’s show http://OntheroadwithiV.com