Luke Morris - The Enterprise MVP

By mistake, to be honest! I was at college in Hereford and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to work in the leisure and hospitality industry and I got to know a guy in Hereford who bought a pub and he sold me the dream. He trained me as manager of the pub at the age of 18 and went on to buy a nightclub, which I also managed. I eventually took over the lease and worked there for about three years. I then got the opportunity to move to Cardiff, which I took in order to move away from the leisure industry but, within six months, I was working in nightclubs again!

As a brand, Luminar is fresh, new and ahead of the rest. Stephen Thomas, the CEO, was born and bred in Wales. He commands such respect from all of us as he has built the company up from nothing and is a great man to work with. The fact that he is from Wales originally means that he is keen to look after us here in Cardiff and Swansea, and I truly believe that the Welsh passion that he puts into the company is a huge contributing factor to Luminar’s success.

Firstly, I would say initiative. When I joined the company, the notion of the traditional nightclub was dying. People no longer want to just go out at 9pm and come home at 3am; they want themed nights, a brand behind the club and a venue that looks more like a 5-star hotel. I was taken on as Sales Manager for the Cardiff unit, which was certainly a challenge, but the change I helped to implement succeeded beyond our expectations and the ideas were rolled out across the other venues in the UK. Secondly, having been my own boss and worked for other people in the industry, passion is a very important driving force. Finally, whether you are a manager or a glass collector, teamwork and cooperation are absolutely essential to keep everyone happy and the business running smoothly. You mentioned that Stephen Thomas has been incredibly forward thinking in his approach to the industry. What else do you think has he contributed?

I love people. I love mixing and chatting with the different customers, finding out what they like and dislike about their experience. Obviously there are perks to the job, which I also enjoy, but I mainly I like the variation that comes with the job and dealing with people.

I’m not from a well-off background but I was always interested in making money when I was younger. I always admired Alan Sugar, chairman of my favourite football team, Tottenham Hotspur, because he grew success out of nothing. I always used to think ‘what would Alan Sugar do? How did he make money?’ Also, my dad worked all the hours God sends in a factory to send my sister to university and to allow me to take on the lease of a club. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Today, I look up to Philip Green, for whom my girlfriend works. The way he is simultaneously standing up to the storm of the credit crunch and protecting his workers by investing in the company is very admirable.

It’s difficult to judge because, in the case of Cardiff, it’s a capital city and people travel from all around for a night out here. It’s hard to tell. Perhaps in the smaller cities, such as Swansea, the business is feeling the pinch, but I think that people still want to be sociable and enjoy themselves, regardless of the depressing times that we’re in.

When you look for inspiration, you look to those around you and those in the public eye. For me, it’s important to keep a mix between the two in order to stay focused and be realistic about my goals. The one thing that has changed me as a person, especially in this role, is working in a team of people with the same mindset as me after having worked for myself for so long. I rely on and trust the capable people around me, and they give me a boost if ever I’m feeling down which is great.

As I mentioned before, the entrepreneurial spirit has trickled down to every member of the team; from the CEO to the Sales Managers to those who actually work in the venues and beyond. It is a huge company, yet if something has to change, we adapt quickly to get it done.

It was always hard working for myself. I learned from the people around me and found my own way, but it’s easy to pick up some bad habits, especially at such a young age. Ultimately, failing and making mistakes makes you a good businessperson. You learn to pick yourself up and keep going. It makes you a stronger person and I have to do it on a daily basis. The current economic climate is affecting the business on a corporate, rather than a day-to-day, basis in that there’s pressure to keep the customers coming in and spending their money for parties, etc. It’s always good to have challenges whatever your job; otherwise you’re almost waiting for something to go wrong. If it doesn’t kill you, it only makes you stronger!

Probably the Mulberry handbags that I have to buy for my girlfriend! I love clothes and gadgets and I spend a lot of money on them. I don’t tend to save up to buy one thing; if I see something I like, I have to have it.

How well Team Cardiff is doing right now, Harry Redknapp at Tottenham and Kanye West’s new album.

 
‘Heartless’ by Kanye West.