ON IVAN RIOJA SCOTT
On Location: (where do you call home?) Home for me will always be Madrid, Spain but right now my temporary home for the past 5 years has been and is Chicago.
On Occupation: (What do you do to pay your bills?) I’m the Editor-in-chief of a Spanish language B2B food magazine called Industria Alimenticia. I visit many food processing plants all across Latin America and write about these amazing engineering masterpieces. Then I manage and edit the monthly magazine, our website and a few other digital products. However, I’m in the process of starting a classic car club that will be called RS Rally & Classic Club, and I hope this will pay my bills in a near future.
On Love: (What do you believe about love, romance relationships?) This may be a bit “direct”, but in love and romance it’s all about timing! I find that the little things that some people think are defects that they have is what you end up liking the most about the person you share your life with. I can’t leave out friends here, they often become part of your family and they tend to make life a hell of a lot more fun! And above all, the love for your children is insurmountable!
On Beauty: (What is your beauty/grooming ritual? Do you have any products you can’t live without?) I’ve got my morning ritual down to a science of saving time, main reason for which I grew a beard. I don’t comb my hair and besides the occasional spray of cologne, nothing else is required for my day to day.
On Style: (What’s your uniform? What do you wear to make yourself feel up to meeting the challenges of the day?) There’s nothing quite like a tailored suit and shirt with a great pair of shoes. With that said, my day to day is mostly informal, so jeans and button downs are my daily uniform. But I have to admit that a professionally pressed button down is a must for me.
On Philosophy: (What’s your guiding belief?) A combination of these two popular sayings: “if there’s a will there’s a way”. And “you only get out of something what you put into it”. I believe that 99% of limitations are only in our minds and they don’t exist in reality, so I try not to use excuses that justify these limitations, just get things done.
On Vacation: (Where do you go to recharge and relax? What makes that place special?) I always go back to Madrid but it’s hard to relax there because there are so many people to see and so many things to do. There’s a little island off the coast of peninsular Malaysia called Redang. They have a landing strip for an airport and the vibe there is just 100% relaxed. If I could, I would go back every year. The Cabos in Mexico are also a relaxing spot if you know where to go and last but not least, Tucson, Arizona. My mother is from Tucson and lives there and it’s always nice to go back and enjoy the nice weather and small town feel.
On Transportation (How do you get around? What’s your preferred mode of transport?) I know I’m against the fashion/norm on this one, but I love my motor vehicles (cars and motorcycles). Right now my favorite mode of transport is a 1964 Land Rover 88. It’s completely mechanical and requires very involved driving. It has no radio, no AC or heat and the seats are fixed, so it’s your body’s position the one that has to adapt, not the seat’s position. The only thing I like about public transportation is people watching. Chicago is very diverse, so even a quick ride on the L (elevated train) usually offers at least an interesting character or two. But if I have a choice on how to get around in the city, it’s always a motorcycle.
On Reading: (What’s your favorite book, magazine, poem?) Needless to say, my day job involves a lot of targeted reading, which is great. Other than that I have very little time in my day to read and I have several shelves full of books I want to read and just don’t get to fast enough. I do find time to read on airplanes and recently read a book about Mexico City, a place that I go to often for work, called “El Circuito Interior” by Frank Goldman. It’s a very realistic, semi-autobiographical look at Mexico City, politics and society.
On Dining: (What foods can’t you get enough of? Do you have special dishes you like to prepare at home or favorite restaurants?) I like almost everything and Chicago’s food scene is quite possibly one of the best in the world, so in that regard we are spoiled here. I’ve started experimenting with curing fish lately which has yielded different results. I’d have to say the roasted duck is something I can always eat as is sushi but my most favorite food is gazpacho.
