Daily Inspiration: Meet James Havens

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Havens.

James, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Vile Motorsports was born the moment I found out I was going to be a father.

Before stepping into parenthood, I had always been obsessed with vehicle repairs and customization. I’d spend endless hours online, diving deep into every aspect of automotive technology. As someone on the spectrum, my passions often turn into deep, unshakable pursuits—and cars were exactly that.

At the time, I was working at a large company in Santa Monica. I started as a data entry clerk but quickly realized that the high-level roles in that company didn’t align with who I was. Instead of walking away, I carved my own path. I pitched an in-house solution to help reduce costly sublet expenses for commercial photo and video services. The pitch worked. I transitioned from data entry to wearing multiple hats: commercial photographer, videographer, and IT lead. I was proud of my growth, but over time, my creativity felt stifled. I stopped feeling inspired.

Then, everything changed—I found out I was going to be a dad.

You’d think I’d feel joy, but I was scared. Not because of fatherhood, but because I was drained. I had no spark left. And I knew: you can’t spread light unless you have light. You can’t love others if you don’t love yourself first.

Raised by a single mother in a low-income neighborhood, I faced the challenges that come with that life. I promised myself that my daughter would grow up with better. So I made a bold move: I quit.

During my 8-week “maternity leave,” I had a moment of clarity. What I truly needed was freedom—financial, creative, and professional. I had some savings and decided to invest them in my passion. If I was going to make this work, I had to go all in.

I enrolled at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) for automotive and diesel training. For the first time, I was in school for something I genuinely loved. I thrived—graduating with a 4.0 GPA and 99.6% attendance. From there, I was accepted into the BMW STEP program in Arizona and earned my BMW ASE certification.

BMW covered my training in exchange for two years at a dealership. I was excited to finally earn again—but the reality hit hard. Despite being certified, I was paid far below the legal minimum. Many coworkers still lived with their parents, but I had a family to support. So I worked harder. I became the most requested technician in the shop—handling everything from X5s to M8s. But I also realized I was outgrowing the dealership. My peers lacked passion, and I craved more.

I found a local shop known for high-end builds and BMW work. I went in for a corner balance alignment on my G80 M3 and instantly vibed with the staff. When they posted a job opening, I applied. But the manager told me he wasn’t sure I could “keep up.” That crushed me.

So I hired myself.

By that point, I had built enough recognition in the local scene to take on independent clients. What started as a few word-of-mouth jobs and Instagram posts turned into a thriving business. Vile Motorsports became real—manufacturers wanted to collaborate, and our YouTube projects started gaining traction.

Today, Vile Motorsports supports not just me, but the team behind it. My incredible partner Ani handles office management, finances, parts ordering, and insurance claims. Ryan, who started out as a customer, is now a full-time tech. And I’m James—owner, operator, and shop foreman.

Together, we are Vile Motorsports.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Looking back on the journey, there were definitely some rough patches—but all of that fades once you get a taste of success. It’s like ripping off a long, painful bandage. We dealt with everything: supplier delays, property management headaches, sublet problems—basically, all the typical challenges a new business with limited capital runs into.

One thing I’ve learned: you care a lot more about every problem when it’s your name and company on the line. Neither of us had much experience running a business, so it took time to find our rhythm. But I’m proud of where we are now. The issues don’t feel as big anymore, and while stress is still part of the job, it’s a lot more manageable these days.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Having been both a consumer and a provider in the automotive industry, I know exactly what it feels like to not get what you paid for. I’ve experienced the frustration of getting my car back and feeling like it wasn’t cared for—or that the work simply didn’t match the price. From the very beginning, I promised myself that none of my customers would ever feel that way. At Vile Motorsports, we go out of our way to ensure every job is done correctly, and done right the first time.

We have access to full manufacturer information and resources, allowing us to complete repairs and upgrades to the same—if not higher—standard than any dealership. While we primarily focus on BMW platforms, our scope of work often extends far beyond that. We’ve worked on everything from Audi R8s to Porsche GT3 RSs.

The original goal for Vile Motorsports was to create a one-stop shop for customers who not only want performance and customization, but also need diagnostics, repair, custom paint, bodywork, and aesthetic installs. During my time at the dealership, I noticed that many technicians avoided BMW M cars—they’re more complex, and their owners tend to be more particular. But that challenge excited me.

In fact, I bought a brand-new G80 M3 before they were even widely available, just so I could immerse myself in the platform. BMW M cars became my specialty, and over time, I learned them inside and out. While our reputation is built on high-end performance vehicles, we proudly welcome every BMW—stock, modified, or anything in between. And yes, even cars beyond the BMW brand are welcome at Vile Motorsports.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Eating breakfast at Bracket Air Field across from the NHRA Winter nationals and comparing the rumble of the plane engines to the roar of the dragster engines.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vile_motorsports
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vilemotorsports