Australian INfront

Since taking over the position of CEO in the family owned company Merivale, in 1997, Justin Hemmes has been the brainchild behind some of Sydney’s leading venues including ivy and Establishment, which offer multiple dining and entertainment experiences under one roof.

Justin entered into the helm of the hospitality industry after completing a Bachelor of Business Degree at the University of Technology Sydney. His sharp eye for detail and ability to identify niche market concepts has ensured that his visions go from strength to strength.

His latest labour of love ivy, finished in late 2008, was five years in the making and now serves up to 10,000 guests per night across nineteen bars, eight restaurants and several special event venues. It’s Euro chic and American glamour inspired appearance has seen it take out prestigious awards including, Architects Lloyd Ree’s award for Urban Design, and the Harry Seidler award for Commercial Architecture, the Australian Bar Awards New Hotel of the Year and the overall award at the IDEA 09 Interior Design Excellence Awards.

Justin’s ability to appreciate lifestyle and culture has led him to the forefront of one of Australia’s largest industries. In addition to his hospitality enterprises Justin also runs JAM music the business responsible for the Good Vibrations Music Festival, which is currently the second largest event of its kind in Australia.

Justin’s entrepreneurial talents have allowed him to establish a revered identity for Merivale, which currently employs over 1300 staff members across its twenty-five thriving restaurants, hotels and bars.

Through his strong business strategies and innovation, Justin has raised the bar in the hospitality industry to a new height.

http://www.merivale.com

Justin Hemmes sat down with Glynis Traill-Nash to discuss details about his life, businesses and advice on working in the fashion industry.  He initially provided some information about his family background in working in the fashion industry, describing the experiences of his family in working in fashion retail and providing some interesting information about the way in which the industry has changed to value Australian design much more than it has in the past. He provided an example of retailers removing Australian labels off products and replacing them with internationally based brand labels, when he was young and his parents ran a millinery business.

When it comes to fashion and, or the hospitality industry, it's about "selling a feeling" he emphasised. Whether people are buying clothes, enjoying a meal or going out for a drink, "it's about making life exciting and about the experience". Ultimately, retail and hospitality staff can make or break an experience so it is important to ensure that the people employed to represent your business have the ability and the skills to deliver quality to the consumer. 

When it comes to employees, Justin revealed a unique approach to dealing with employees: "Treat your staff like family and have complete transparency regarding the details of your business".
He described taking over a pub and asking managers to provide details about income, to which he was surprised to discover that the owners did not divulge financial information abou the business to employees. He stressed the importance of having employees own their contribution to the business and to value the work they do and the company they represent.

The importance of brand was discussed as a valuable asset of each business. Justin stressed the importance of understanding your brand and having an awareness of the public perception of your brand.

Overall Justin's talk was valuable and insightful, particularly in putting an intelligent, articulate and charming face to a man that is represented in the media quite frequently as a mogul responsible for some of society's problems (such as violence at The Ivy that has received extensive media attention). A few questions were posed regarding problems with alcohol and violence and Justin was refreshingly honest and informative about the problems encountered. However, to focus on the topic of licensing and violence in pubs is a topic for another website.
The information that Justin presented was valuable, concise and provided interesting details about a business that has made phenomenal achievements in the business world.