A Moment With| Maira Koutsoudakis
- Litha Maqungo
- Jul 5, 2016
- 3 min read
The first time I walked into the Life Grand Cafe at Waterfall I fell in love. It is the perfect combination of luxurious, laidback and inviting. I felt like I had found my new favourite place to hang out, and I hadn't even looked at the menu yet. One glance at the menu and the deal was sealed, Life became a solid favourite. I was curious though to find out more about the people behind this incredible eatery. Recently I was lucky enough to spend some time with Maira Koutsoudakis, CEO and Co-Founder of The Life Group of Companies, under which the Life Grand Cafes fall.
Maira is everything I imagined she would be; effortlessly chic, fabulous and formidable. As the woman at the helm of The Life Group of Companies which is made up of the award winning Life Interiors|Architecture|Strategic Design & The Life Grand Group which has five upmarket restaurants she is one busy lady. Thus it's no surprise that she has been the recipient of the Glamour Woman of the Year Award in 2014 and SA Style Icon Award in 2015.
In a few words, who are you? I am a Greek South African, born and bred in Johannesburg and a lover of the city's relentless energy and vibrant, entrepreneurial spirit.
What motivated you to turn your passion into a business?
I have always been fascinated by the enjoyment of lifestyle and the business of design. Taking what is instinctive and converting into a contextually-relevant and commercially viable enterprise. I was always interested in both design, architecture but also food, hospitality and business and ultimately dreamed of meshing a myriad of passions into a lifestyle business.
How did you get funding to get started?
From the age of 16 I had worked at my own business doing modern art paintings which customers would make on a centrifugal machine at the flea markets where I had a permanent stand and where I cut my teeth in basic business practice. Later, I had a small design studio before undertaking post-graduate studies in Milan and working for a big design practice on my return. I collected some money during this time and on my conviction and business plan, asked my mother - a single mother and self-made success story - for a start up loan. I was 25 and that was the last time I asked for any contribution or a loan for my business.
Biggest lesson learnt?
From the outset choose a career trajectory that sets your soul alight and then work hard to be the absolute best at that, whatever it may be. You cannot avoid those 10,000 hours. Become an expert at something.
How do you stay motivated?
The Confucian quote 'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life' motivates me into understanding that the work is a choice; we are not victims but captains of our destiny. This maxim as well as "Good is the enemy of great' hold true when motivation is needed. The pleasure of opening a successful new business and seeing it flourish ans the immediacy we have with our audience, our valued guests and satisfied clients is motivation enough.
What's your favourite thing to cook?
Lamb on the spit, I love how it brings people together and there's a spirit of celebration.
How do you stay sane?
I laugh a lot, do yoga, spend time with my family and take frequent short breaks especially to my happy place a small island in Greece, Serifos.
What's next for the Life Group?
In the near future, by the end of this year, we will open a 1000m2 heritage LIFE Grand Cafe restaurant and Members Club which our design practice LIFE Interiors Architecture Strategic Design, has been restoring right on the water's edge in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront. This will be followed by further expansion of our three brands LIFE Grand Cafe, the Potato Shed and the Gentlemen's Arthouse into Cape Town and expanding our national footprint.
The latest Life eatery to open is the Gentlemen's Arthouse in Newton Junction. It's a departure from the Life Grand Cafe aesthetic, it's all about Victorian Era exuberance with a dash of modern sophistication. It's a delightful restored heritage gem with creatively crafted cocktails and curated food journeys.
If that isn't up your alley, then there is always the newest Life Grand Cafe in the Mall of Africa, which has the elements you know and love with a touch of Africa.
Follow Maira on Instagram: @mairakoutsoudakis
Comentarios