WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE DID YOU COME FROM
My name is Clemens Hoss d’Estenfeld, owner of The Mulroy restaurant on William Street, which we launched last September. This is my first venture as a restaurateur, although I have many years’ experience in managing country house hotels. The Mulroy specialises in high quality dining, at affordable prices and I have been delighted by the response we have had from both local diners and visitors from further afield.
WHAT IS THE BUSINESS BOOK YOU RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ
It’s not a book as such, but I believe that the most important reading material for a business owner is their business plan. Reviewing it regularly helps ensure you continue to achieve your goals.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE YOUR BUSINESS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
One of my strengths is that I always focus first and foremost on the customer – I want to make sure that The Mulroy not just meets but exceeds their expectations, wherever possible. I am not sure it is a weakness, but I find it hard to switch off, as running a restaurant means there is always something to think about.
WHAT WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT ON YOUR CAREER PATH THAT HAS GOT YOU WHERE YOU ARE NOW
Sadly it was a family bereavement. It made me realise that life is short and that I should pursue my long-standing ambition of opening my own restaurant as soon as possible.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR SPARE TIME
I don’t have much spare time, as the hours can be very long, when you are running a busy and successful restaurant. When I am not working, I like to spend my spare time with my wife, who is an interior designer. I also enjoy writing and am currently writing a novel, which is semi-autobiographical – it helps me unwind from the pressures of the day.
DO YOU THINK YOU ACHIEVE A GOOD WORK/LIFE BALANCE
It is not easy to achieve a good work/life balance as a restaurateur, especially in the first few years, but I am trying and ensure I have at least one day off per week now that The Mulroy is up and running. When you are passionate about your business, it can take up more of your time than you planned, but I am lucky that my wife is very supportive and involved.
WHAT MAKES EDINBURGH THE BEST LOCATION FOR YOU TO LIVE AND/OR WORK IN
Edinburgh offers a quality of life that is hard to find in other cities. It’s big enough to offer everything you would expect to find in a capital city, but small enough to retain its unique personality.
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL AREA OF EDINBURGH OR SPECIAL PLACE IN EDINBURGH AND WHY
My favourite area of Edinburgh is the West End, for its village atmosphere. It has a selection of great restaurants, shops and cafes for both visitors and residents and deserves to be even more popular than it is already. I would like to see a farmer’s market in this part of town, similar to the one in Stockbridge – I think it would be a big attraction here too.
WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE PINNACLE OF YOUR CAREER
After many years of dreaming of having my own restaurant, seeing it become a reality and being fully booked on a regular basis has been the pinnacle of my career so far.
IF YOU HAVE A MENTOR, TELL US WHO THAT IS AND ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP
I have a wide range of mentors – some are in business and some are not, but what they all have in common is the ability to give good advice, that I value and trust.
WHICH NETWORKING GROUPS IN EDINBURGH HAVE YOU FOUND PARTICULARLY USEFUL
I have not yet had the chance to join any networking groups. I have already met lots of people through the restaurant and contacts within the trade, but you can never have too many good contacts.
WHO ARE YOUR BUSINESS HEROES
I believe that anyone who runs a small business is a hero – it is one of the most challenging things you can do.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT YEAR
I have lots of exciting plans for next year, some of which are already being implemented. The launch of the Mulroy Club has attracted a lot of interest – it’s an offshoot of the restaurant and provides special offers and events, exclusively to members.
DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY FOR US
My typical day is around 12-14 hours long, so it is just as well that I don’t need a lot of sleep!
BEST JOB ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED
Be flexible and take risks – providing that what you are taking a risk on is something that you believe in passionately.
The Mulroy restaurant (www.themulroy.co.uk) is at 11a-13a William St, Edinburgh (0131 225 6061)
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
