MASTERS Member of the week: Won Yip

Each week a unique MASTERS Member is highlighted. A MASTERS Member is a member of the MASTERS League. Hospitality tycoon Won Yip is one of Amsterdam's biggest hospitality entrepreneurs. At the age of 19, this self-made man bought his first pub in Goes and now the Yip Group has grown into a true empire.Text: Larissa Schaule Jullens

The Yip Group

Where it started with one pub in Goes, it ends up with almost all pubs around and around Dam Square in Amsterdam. The Yip Group has now become a successful empire, consisting of the well-known restaurants and clubs: Sushi Samba, Simply Fish, Majestic, Café Zwart, Yip Fellows, Euro Pub and Players.

Eventful year

The year 2020 was eventful for almost all hospitality entrepreneurs. "2020 was an interesting year. The year has brought both positive and negative things. The positive thing is that I have realized that I have a good life. What I mainly did was wait and sit still," said Won Yip.

2021: the year of the Oss

"This is the year of the hard worker. We cannot imagine that there will be no hospitality industry at all. Venues that previously consisted of more than gold cannot suddenly consist of mud. A world without restaurants and cafes, it is not possible. I think we will be at 70% of the old normal by December 2021, but I try not to count myself rich right away. In life, always keep in mind the unexpected. I see the events of the past year as confirmation that certain things go the way they do.

Won Yip's entrepreneurial tip: be patient. Normally in this business you make sure you are a little earlier than someone else and in this case you prefer to be a little later.

Also become a MASTERS League Member? Email for your application to masters@mastershq.nl