JEREMY OUISSE IS OFF TO SRI LANKA!

So we hear you’re working on an exciting new project out in Sri Lanka?

Yeah I’m indeed going to Sri Lanka, beautiful Sri Lanka.

We’re all hyped for you – I know Steve is really excited and Ali wants to come Surf! Plus another Thompson has been helping you out with the design plans I hear. How much light are you willing to shed on that? Or is it all very top secret?

Haha it’s not top secret at all! The idea is to go out there, buy land – beachfront property – and build eco-lodges on that land. Seven to ten eco-friendly bungalows with a little beach bar.. life in board shorts, that’s the idea really! The eco-friendly side of things is something that is very dear to my heart, so in a way this would be my tiny contribution to saving the planet.

Every little helps! So tell us a little bit about your relationship with Steve and Ali, you worked with them before TT is that right?

Yeah so I’ve known Ali going on 10 years now I think. I met Ali while he was bartender at the Living Room, where he met Steve – obviously they did really really well growing Mixology as a business and gaining maximum exposure. Then about 3 years ago I quit my job – I was managing partner at Gaucho at the time and I just decided I’d had enough! So I joined Mixology Events on a casual basis, doing the odd bit of events work for them and then I went travelling for a bit after that. Soon after, about a year and a half ago now, I got a phone call from Steve and Ali. They had this really cool concept called T.T Liquor (Tatton & Thompson) and they wanted me to be a part of it, which was a great opportunity, and the rest is history! So yeah I’ve known Ali for 8-10 years and Steve for about 7-8 years so a fair long time!

After a year and a half working here, how have you found it?

It’s been great. For me, it was a first; I’d never worked for an independent business because I’d spent most of my life working for companies, some smaller some bigger. But it was a great experience to have this entrepreneurial approach to the business, playing with great ideas and making things happen. The good thing about it, which was very refreshing, is that it’s very direct so you can make a decision at a meeting, say ‘this is what we’re gonna do’, and that thing can become a reality 2-3 days later! Sometimes obviously things can take a bit longer because finances can’t stretch as much as big companies, but it was really great to work for a small company. All the guys are very down to earth and willing to put serious effort in to make this a success. So that’s what I learned from working with a smaller company with a more limited budget but full of great ideas. I’m very very proud of what was achieved in this space of time.

The entrepreneurial spirit is definitely something that I’ve found inspiring in my short time here, finding simple solutions to some pretty complex problems on a budget being a independent business.

Exactly, think on your feet! Don’t rely on other people to do things for you, just go out and do it is my motto.

Now those are some words to live by. I’m sure you have many cherished memories from your time here at TT, but what have been some of your highlights?

I think there are a few moments that spring to mind! I think probably a day before the press launch we had this big T.T. Liquor sign made up in the West Wing, and we had to move it through the window – it didn’t fit! So on a cold, windy winter’s day we took the whole thing off. It was about an hour, eight lads trying to get this enormous sign through that first floor window and attaching it on one of the windiest days of the year! But I remember everyone coming together, and we made it happen. And this kind of mental snapshot tells you everything you need to know about this company: they’re a small, close-knit group of people who are really in it together and are trying to make this happen no matter what. I could think of countless examples like this but the TT sign finally going onto the wall about 11 months ago was the final piece to the puzzle, and I think I’ll remember that day for quite a long time to come for sure.

Another example of making things happen. Seating being lowered down into the cellar bar by in 2017.

What do you think the future holds for T.T? Are you excited?

I’m super excited. I think we’ve laid the foundations to a very solid business. We’ve got the bar getting busier and busier, people starting to know about it, we’ve got the right clientele, the right people in place – newly appointed bar manager, a great bar team who really work well together, so from that side of things I’m really not worried! On the events side, we’re still going really strong and they’re developing some really interesting new ideas, like the cocktail journeys, the tastings, and how to make this work and keep things fresh. The shop we’re growing organically and we’ve got to the point where we’re able to pay rent and staff so that’s great. It looks better than ever, and there’s plenty of opportunities for growth – what with the online shop – so I think that side of things is only going to thrive. Oh, and on top of all this they’ve just recently got planning permission for an outside roof terrace, which is super exciting and may become part of their members’ concept. So essentially, what I see is a solid foundation, plenty of opportunity to grow, and the right people to make that happen so I’m super stoked for T.T, I think they’ve got a great business and I think it’s going to go on for a very long time.

That’s a glowing endorsement if ever there was one! So you’re passing on the baton to our very own Thoko Stott – is she a safe pair of hands do you think?

Oh most definitely, I think she’s one of the safest around. She’s a super quick learner, very proactive, she knows the business inside and out, she’s been working for Mixology for years, moved briefly to Discounts Suit Company and back to the office here. So she understands the brand 100% and I think this is very important – plus she’s got the respect of every single person here because she’s very resourceful, she knows her stuff and she’s very very good at what she does – very thorough. So yeah I’ve got all the faith in the world that she’s going to do really well.

Well all that’s left to say is thank you so much for everything you’ve done here Jez – it’s been nothing short of a pleasure – and the best of luck with all your future endeavours in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.

We are making provisional plans to come out for this years’ Christmas Party (Hopefully we can convince the lads)