WON YIP, YIP GROUP

In the section 'The wheelbarrow of...' we talk to entrepreneurs about their path to success. This week: hospitality entrepreneur Won Yip. This 'Mister Dam Square' owns multiple hospitality venues on Dam Square, once purchased the capital's most expensive penthouse and has slept only 4 to 5 hours a night for the past thirty years, though he does so less frequently these days.

In the section 'The wheelbarrow of…' we talk to entrepreneurs about their path to success. This week: catering tycoon Won Yip. This 'Mister Dam Square' owns many catering establishments on Dam Square, once bought the most expensive penthouse in the capital and has only slept 4 to 5 hours a night for the past thirty years, although that is something he does not do that often these days. Text: Susan Powder

Entrepreneurship is in the blood

Won has actually always worked from an early age, with entrepreneurship already predominating in high school. How has his catering career developed? “It was actually born out of necessity. My very first job was as a dishwasher in my parents' restaurant in Vlissingen. After I got my MAVO diploma by dragging my feet, I ended up in the catering industry. School was never like that for me, it didn't mean much to me.”

In high school he had some lucrative businesses from which he could earn a lot of money. For example, he sold his branded clothing to classmates and at New Year's he traded in fireworks packages. And he is still a fireworks lover: he has been organizing the official party during the Chinese New Year Event on Dam Square in the center of Amsterdam for several years now.

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Wheelbarrow?

Won was barely 19 when he bought a café in Goes with his savings and a year later he expanded to Amsterdam. The Yip Group has now become a catering empire consisting of Sushi Samba, Majestic, Café Zwart, Yip Fellows, Euro Pub and Players. In the context of wheelbarrows, who has assisted him in his success? “I dare say that I really did it all myself,” says Won emphatically. “I have of course worked with many people over those thirty years, but that was purely from a business point of view. I have certainly been a wheelbarrow for many and this mainly has to do with my belief in karma. I would rather not point out just one person, because then I feel like I am doing others a disservice.”

Simply Fish

One of his newest concepts that will open soon, located on Koninginneweg in Amsterdam, is Simply Fish. “I really needed a good fish restaurant in Amsterdam where you can also have a drink. Nowadays I also find it such a hassle with restaurants: I just want to be able to call and say that I want to come over for dinner in the evening. It should be a restaurant with good quality fish and service as it should be, without hassle.”

And career tips? “If I could give the 18-year-old version of myself a piece of advice, I would say: do what you are good at and just work hard. Too often I see young guys who don't cherish what they have. The fact that a Rolex or a Lionel Messi can make them completely hysterical... That doesn't help me. Just be happy if you could earn 1 percent of his income. So work hard, because nothing comes easy and then you can buy whatever you want.”