How Leon Jakimic was bounced from a pro tennis career to become founder of Hong Kong glass company Lasvit

If Leon Jakimic hadn’t become the founder and CEO of Lasvit, a bespoke glass company, he might just be one of the world’s top tennis players – at least that was his dream before he faced a stumbling block at the age of 17.

His love for sports came from his father, who is a former member of the Czech national skiing team. “My father really wanted me to become a professional skier like him; therefore I’ve been engaged in different kinds of sports starting from the age of four,” recalls Jakimic .

When he turned 12, he realised tennis was his true calling. “Back in those days, I used to start training at 5am in the morning. That was the only way to secure a spot at the tennis court, as only one hall is available in the city during winter,” says Jakimic . His parents, who thought he had bitten more than he could chew, attempted to talk him out of it. But he had his eyes on the prize. “At some point, I wanted to become the world’s No 1 tennis player and I did everything I could to achieve this goal.”

However, his plans fell through at the age of 17, after a back injury halted him from pursuing the sport professionally. “The doctor advised me to focus on my academics instead. At first, I simply couldn’t believe it and thought that wasn’t possible,” says Jakimic . But that roadblock didn’t break him. While he didn’t quite achieve what he set out to do in the world of tennis, the sport paved an alternative path for him. With a tennis scholarship offer, Jakimic left home for the Loyola Marymount University in the United States. And in 1991, he began his career with a role at a Czech crystal company based in Hong Kong, where he continues to call home.

Having turned his eye to design, Jakimic was determined to make a mark in that realm. Thanks to the support of his parents, who are both glassmaking veterans, he set up Lasvit in 2007, specialising in bespoke lighting.