Restaurants and supper clubs remain closed for dining in Montreal for another seven days, or until the government makes another announcement. While many have gone on to reinvent themselves, John Edward Gumbley has made it clear that the industry has been hit hard. Needless to say, he remains consistent in working on new endeavors, with two new projects emerging soon. What business lessons can we learn from this serial entrepreneur?
Here’s John’s story.
Petrona: What is your official title?
John: President and founder of Jegantic Group. There are a few companies within the group:
Bord’Elle: a new age fusion of supper club and lounge providing a refined nightlife experience with a roaring 20’s twist.
The Farsides: A Restaurant & Tiki bar serving Thaï & Hawaiian fusion (Thaiwaiian) cuisine in the Old Port of Montreal. Featuring exotic flavors and 90’s hip hop & pop culture memorabilia.
John Gumbley Holdings/ JEGANTIC : Jegantic (John Edward Gumbley and the Incorporated Co ownerships). Jegantic is the culmination of John’s lifelong entrepreneurial efforts and a holding to all of his companies. It is also a one-stop-shop to help new entrepreneurs create new businesses with the possibility of having John as a partner.
John: I also have a few companies and new ventures coming up as well in the near future:
Beaütelle & Geisha: At the crossroads of the financial district in Old Montreal and the trendy Griffintown neighborhoods sits the newest luxury Boutique Hotel, Beaütelle. Featuring an all-suite experience and the largest rooms Montreal has to offer, Beaütelle, boasts an unprecedented mix of luxury and convenience catering to today’s sophisticated traveler.
All suites were carefully built with the goal of combining the comfort and deluxe accommodations of a 5-star luxury resort with the smart convenience of a high-end air bnb stay. No top-notch boutique hotel is complete without a trendy fine dining establishment to tantalize their guests.
Enter Geisha. A completely revolutionized take on a Japanese Steakhouse and supper club that authentically merges the clean and zen-like traditions of Japanese culture within an evolved and fully immersive setting. Geisha aims to not only be a world-class destination for dining but to equally impress and tantalize your senses with a complete transformation from high-end restaurant to an all-out nightlife experience. Expect a world like no other and an experience where every single detail is meticulously plotted and pre-planned with the utmost care and distinction.
Bonita: Authentic Mexican food served in a dark and sultry setting displaying pop art and abstract decor.
Petrona: What is your greatest passion? Did that fuel you to get started?
John: Originally, being that I come from very humble means and a difficult home environment as a child. My first real driver was simple to survive my situation and to strive for success to help better my life going forward. Today, what drives me is my pursuit of life balance trying to achieve equal parts success in family, business, health, and empathy.
Petrona: What is the message you wish to convey to the world? In other words, how do you want to be remembered?
John: Every day, I strive to prove you can be a great father, a loving husband, a thriving entrepreneur, a concept creator, a marketing specialist, a hotelier, a restauranteur, a philanthropist, an event planner, a nightlife aficionado, a world traveler, a teacher, a pupil, a student of the game and still be that dude that can do 100 push-ups and climb mountains. It’s not easy but it’s also not as hard as it might seem. All it really takes is drive and discipline. Time is all we have! Use it wisely.
Petrona: What is your biggest quirk?
John: I tend to lack patience, and I get very agitated when those around me take a long time to accomplish their tasks.
Petrona: What has been your biggest challenge in business?
John: Replicating myself and my thoughts so that everybody around me is always on the same page and sharing the same goals. Over the years, I found that putting time into people and the extra moments you spend communicating details, as well as the reasoning behind those beliefs and details, is the true key to expansion and a great framework for team spirit and group motivation.
Petrona: What advice would give to someone reading this?
John: I would say start making choices and no longer look for excuses to guide your path. The only way to get to your destination is by taking the first steps. Along there are sure to be obstacles along your path, that you may find unsurmountable, as an entrepreneur, your only real skill is to figure out which ones you need to climb, and what direction you chose to continue along that path.
Petrona: What is your favorite quote?
If you want to be original, prepare to be copied – Coco Chanel.
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INSTAGRAM: @daddynightlife
FACEBOOK: Jon Jay G.