Continuation of lutz - die bar3…read more
2) What was the worst thing you've ever experienced what the best?
In 2008 we opened the Music Club at souterrain, the planning took place in 2007 and was also associated with significant structural alteration works. One day I read in the newspaper that there would be a citizens' initiative against us, because we would dig for this club underground till Rahlgasse and that the whole project would be illegal. Well, a group of local residents were concealing behind it who did not like the idea that a music club would open. We were flabbergasted, especially because until then no one had approached us directly, or had complained directly. In the end we were able to clear all discrepancies with the local residents to everyone's satisfaction.
The way was already very depressing and first of all cost unnecessarily life energy. I understand that nobody likes to life next to a club, but we are situated in the Mariahilfer Strasse, one of the main Viennese shopping streets, where there are also many pubs, restaurants, cafés!
And finally an business owner has every right to establish his business in an area where it is common, to be an entrepreneur.
The best part - I was particularly pleased with it, that in-lutz-even books were written. A father wrote about his paternity leave and his recreational breaks in a cocktail bar and a politician wrote about laughter and love of life. This is something permanent and without our bar these books might not exist.
And every time I "am silently sitting around" in a corner of the restaurant and look around, I visualize the space as it looked nine years ago - dark, louring, cold, just a warehouse and then I see what we have created: an elegant, modern, bright and friendly place, filled with vibrant life, laughter, joy, soft music, in which it is awesome to relax - something permanent where many people meet, get to know each other, fall in love, talk - a place of communication, a meeting place, a meeting place of nations, meeting place of people, meeting place of humanity - a place where you enjoy being!
3) What would you pass on to young people or young entrepreneurs?
I would not presume to recommend something to young people , to turn out the Elder. Elderly tend to always know everything better than young people and to complain about something new. In former times e.g. it was Rock'n Roll, today it is the music on YouTube. Each generation is different and that's a good. I see this every day with my three sons.
Young entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs who are not so long in the business - good business for one more enthusiasm, but also the famous business plan on the A5 page. I must be able to calculate and present the economic side on one page, if that is not possible, it would also not work on a grand scale. Furthermore, you should always expect the unexpected and therefore you should add 30-50% to the planned cost. And a business also has to survive with 1/5 of the expected revenue, because you can never realize everything at a level of 100%. Furthermore: If you do not know something, you should place questions - this is evidence of maturity and not weakness!
You should also definitely seek advice of authorities, institutions such as the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and municipal authorities, if one keeps in touch, nothing will be a problem.
Thank you for allowing us a peek through the keyhole!
