Ever since the first car was created, someone was trying to make it look better and perform better. This has become a past time for many people with cars of their own. Some people even make a career or business based upon the customizing of cars; however it is seemed to be an old man’s game nowadays.

At the age of 26 Wataru Kato opened up a small car dealership in Japan. The dealership could only hold a maximum of 3 cars, but Kato didn’t let this stop him from completely changing the game. Kato branded himself almost immediately as, Liberty Walk.

Liberty Walk is a company that was inspired by Nissan Works, which came about in the 70’s. Nissan Works was dedicated to making little Nissan cars perform better by lowering them and equipping them with wider wheels and body kits to help the cars perform at a higher level. Wataru Kato decided to take this idea to a whole new level.Using mainly high end cars and products Liberty Walk became an instant sensation. This idea was noticed by a very important company named SEMA. SEMA is an acronym for Specialty Equipment Marketing Association. They were invited to come to SEMA and display their aggressive designs.

Liberty Walk performance was noticed immediately. They offer services from suspension and exhaust, to body work and design. Their lowered cars with aggressive styling fender flares and wide custom wheels became famous for a reason. This is because Kato had an idea that was completely different from anything at the time. He kept innovating and expanding, and now the Liberty Walk shop is larger than 6 times what it was before, and can display at least 20 cars.

Wataru Kato has inspired me personally because the story shows me that if you have a different idea, and a will to put the idea into action you can succeed. This as well as the fact that the cars that Liberty Walk produces are phenomenal. Wataru Kato has innovated and changed the game completely in a business that used to be considered and old man’s game.