Day 11

Business Plan should be my priority at this point. But I am struggling with the first question/decision - what kind of business I want to open? 

Since I was a kid, I have always wanted to open a hotel. I even have a perfect building for it. A large building on the side of Daugava, with an amazing view to the river. It would have been a massive project with loads of rooms.

When I was working in Emīla Gustava Šokolāde, I dreamed of having my own little boutique studio, coffee place where you could get delicious alcoholic cocktails as well. A small team of professional and kind people. Quality stuff. Simple.

Alberts and Donegans - the pubs. I am not sure if I would ever think of running a pub, not to even think of owning one. Then again, the love of beer was real at one point in my life, not so long ago, it still might be a possibility. At least an exquisite beer list would definitely appear on the menu and live music events. Oh yes, and frozen liquor shots!

Then there is London. And here I was very much 'dragged' into the world of quality cocktails. Starting with hotel bars and underground speakeasy, ending with me actually working in and for one of the world's best cocktail bars - Montgomery Place. I learned a lot about running (read: managing) a bar. It was an amazing experience. And I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn about spirits and cocktail making, managing a team and taking care of the bar. And of course, I was 100% sure that I want my own cocktail bar, almost a copy of Monty, because I was in awe of it.

Break times - Trailer of Happiness, Portobello Gold, Luna Rosa..

Move to Soho House Group was a big step. First - Hoxton Grill. I started working there on 29th January, 2014. Oh my god, the Apartment was the best, events space with Kitchen, Living Room, Study, Library and you could hire it out, separately or combined. Oh, and the little break visits to Casita around the corner. That bar was something! So small, with probably about 12 bar stools in total, only couple of them at the actual bar. And the bar cramped with bottles on top of bottles and glassware, and Polaroid photos of customers and stuff, and foreign money notes stuck to the wall. 

But let's talk about Electric House and White City House tomorrow. It is a lot longer story, as I have been with company for now almost 6 years.

Eventually, there has always been this house opposite my childhood home. Which I have always wanted to own and transform into a little paradise. A mix of everything I have done so far in life. So maybe that is the thing I should focus on - that house. Developing an idea for this house but an idea that could work anywhere. I think that is it. Just need to start. Wish me luck.