The need for speed is not a new concept for humanity. We have fast devices, fast cars, and fast lives. So naturally, we have made speed into a sport; a sport that 17-year-old Juju Noda excels at. From Okayama, Japan, this teenaged racecar driver started her career at only 4 years old. And no, that is not an exaggeration. She is the daughter of Formula 1 racer Hideki Noda, and currently races in the Formula 3 category.

Juju Noda in racing uniform. Image courtesy of bossgp.com.

In the world of racecar driving, girls are not a common sight. Teenaged girls? Even less so. However, Juju is passionate about her sport and has a drive (get it? Drive?? Anyway…) for success. With her parents supporting her and new opportunities always appearing, she shows no signs of slowing down (literally!). Just competing in a sport may not seem like an entrepreneurial endeavor, but racing is not an inexpensive hobby. Support has to come from somewhere, and for drivers like Juju, that support comes from sponsors. The best way to get sponsors? Be really, really good at what you do. And Juju is right on track (the RACEtrack!), and already has multiple supporters lined up. Furthermore, she has her own website, her own little Chibi character, and of course a presence on most social media platforms. One could say that she’s…on a ROLL!

As with all young entrepreneurs, Juju shows that no matter one’s age, anything is in the realm of possibility if you are passionate about it and willing to work hard to achieve your goal. You don’t need to be a renaissance man, you just need to find your niche (or perhaps… road?) and work it.