What do you currently do?
I run Appetite, an international brand and design consultancy. We encourage our clients to think of their brand as a “way to be”. Our focus is also the biggest challenge of many organisations: “How to create a brand culture that drives commitment from our people internally, creates desire for our audiences externally and ultimately builds brand value”. We help them to get there, one strategic and creative step at a time.
Who is your inspiration in business?
A host of unknown soldiers (as well as kings and captains). Merit is not always evenly distributed in business and talking to a wide range of business people is always inspiring. Like Mark Twain said, “there was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside the dullest exterior there is drama, a comedy and a tragedy.”
Who do you admire?
I admire achievements rather than people, as we all tend to be a little (or a lot) flawed upon closer inspection. History only remembers the good bits that’s why I would put visionary dead ones only on the list: Gandhi, JFK, Van Gogh. And my wife, who fortunately is alive and well!
Looking back, are there things you would have done differently?
I haven’t regretted a single decision I have ever taken. Painful experiences make you a better, calmer and smarter person.
What defines your way of doing business?
Our vision is to be a company that people love and our mission is to better our clients’ world. Everything else stems from that: passion, mutual respect, intelligence, integrity and a healthy dose of humour in whatever language.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Use both sides of your brain as much as you can and at every possible occasion.
Be patient – good things come to good people.
