Jason Vander Griendt is an entrepreneur, innovator and a seasoned mechanical design engineer with expertise in 3D CAD design, 3D printing, prototyping, manufacturing, animations, virtual tours, visualizations, virtual reality, virtual reality real estate walkthroughs and 3D architectural renderings. His other areas of specialty include aluminum extrusion process, sheet metal work, steel smelting and rolling. His firm, Render 3D Quickly operates on a global scale from its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. The client centered and detail oriented approach espoused by Jason through Render has seen the company endear itself as a leading design entity. Today, the firm serves a broad market as evident in its client portfolio that includes contractors, architectures, designers, 3D Renders Quick, and real estate entities. The company clients come from the US, Europe, Canada, China and Australia. The rapid expansion is all thanks to a team of highly trained and experienced professionals who are always ready to assist clients.
Jason Vander Griendt also owns J-CAD, Inc a firm that specializes in providing 3D CAD design services along with 3D printing and prototyping. Established in 2005, the firm is highly adept at converting hand written drawings into CAD format of various file types, including Microstation, Inventor, AutoCAD and Solidedge. Jason’s work experience also includes serving as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Hatch from September 2006. His duties here include designing key components of smelting furnace used for ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Jason also served as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Gerdau Ameisteel from February 2004 to September 2006. During his tenure, he was tasked with designing, replacing and improving re-heat furnace components. Jason is a graduate of Fanshawe College. The renowned Canadian engineer and entrepreneur is passionate about building successful online businesses and mentoring up and coming entrepreneurs.
What is your favorite thing about traveling?
Travel always enriches my soul because of the various experiences I encounter along the way. Indeed, the experience I get from visiting places I could only previously imagine often enhances my sense of well-being and inspires me to go further.
Is traveling a lifestyle or a hobby for you? How did you get started?
I know people travel for various reasons, chief among them include work assignment, family and holiday. I always liked the feeling of complete freedom and dreamed of it one day. Location free, financially free, complete freedom from anything that restricts what I want to do so I designed my life to achieve this. I always admired people who had lives like that so I learned from them in what they were doing. A key ingredient was that they had online businesses.
What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?
There are so many it’s hard to pick! Some excellent memories that come to mind quickly though are Sardinia, Italy, Western Canada in the Rockies is also very gorgeous! The turquoise lakes surrounded by massive mountains is stunning. I’m also very partial to Northern Italy close to the Switzerland border. Very pretty there too!
What are some travel tips you’d give to an inexperienced traveler?
Through traveling, you get the opportunity to enjoy new cuisines, enhance your quality of life and create new job and business prospects. For inexperienced travelers, I say avoid carrying everything you think you need if you want to travel light and efficiently. Pack ½ of what you think you’ll need. Only bring a carry on luggage to really zero in on what you’ll actually need. Realistically you throw on that same t-shirt a few times so you don’t’ need to bring 10. I find it’s helpful to have the mentality that “if I absolutely need it I’ll just buy it when I’m there” really helps to pack light. If you are traveling on a budget, check out discount deals, book special group rates and try to travel off season. Further, find a good credit card that gives you travel points. I have a WestJet card which gives me $500 – $1,000/month in travel dollars so I haven’t paid for a flight for years! Even better is I sell the travel dollars I can’t use to friends at a small discount helping them save money on travel while giving me free cash.
Where would you like to go?
I don’t have any plans currently but I’ll definitely be returning to Northern Italy, Como specifically very soon. Love it there!
Where would you like to revisit?
I just went to 20 countries in 2 months. One place that stood out for me was Serbia. Such a good time there!
Do you travel alone? Why?
I love travelling alone to be honest and prefer it for the most part. I got used to it when I worked for Siemens and was shipped all over the world alone for the company. It’s more efficient, do whatever YOU want all the time and be on your schedule. From time to time I’ll travel with a girlfriend if I have one in my life which is nice but it’s also nice to feel totally free to explore a location I’ve never seen before.
If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?
Italy, Vegas, Serbia.
Do you travel light and efficiently or do you pack up the house?
I generally travel light, especially by road. With regards to air travel, I always try to travel light because of prevailing luggage restrictions and international security in order to save time and avoid unnecessary delays. To travel light I always ensure I have a small bag or suitcase that can fit all my basic items as a carry on saving time at check-in and having no checked baggage means you just walk off the plane and go!