Trevor MacKenzie is the managing director of Exquisine System, a subsidiary of Cocoa Holding International which has the Mango Tree chain of Thai restaurants under its umbrella. The Canadian businessman, who describes himself as “an accidental restaurateur” after a bartending job in Toronto led to a restaurant manager role. He later joined Cocoa Holding in 2004 after a chance meeting with the brand’s chief executive during a travelling stint in Thailand. Mr MacKenzie, 42, visited Dubai last month to introduce the new menu to the Mango Tree franchisee in Downtown Dubai and scour the city for new locations to expand the brand (it currently has 70 global outlets). He lives in Bangkok with his wife and two sons, aged three and five.
How do you spend your weekend?
One to two times a month I go to the beach with my kids and family because we do a lot of swimming. I travel so much looking for new opportunities for Mango Tree that I try to be home a minimum of two weekends a month and it’s all about creating some memorable adventure for my two boys and my wife.
How did you become a CEO?
I have now worked with Mango Tree for over 11 years, so it was a step-by-step progression as the brand grew and as my skill set and team grew. I am still learning every day and believe that you can never stop. As the business continues to change I continue to adjust my style – now I have to continuously be mindful of coaching my team instead of just managing them.
What is your go-to gadget?
My iPhone 6. Who could live without it?
What was the lowest point of your career?
When I was younger and had my own contracting company and my receivables were so high I didn’t have money to pay my rent – I would have sleepless nights. But in the morning it always seemed a miracle would come and money would appear. I haven’t felt that type of stress and anxiety until this January when we opened Mango Tree Washington DC – instantly I felt like I was back there so I calmed myself, did meditation, and every night before sleeping would say “it will work out”. And it is.
What advice would you offer others starting out in your business?
The F&B business takes 150 per cent commitment and passion. Every day poses new challenges and new successes, this is not a part-time business and it demands 14 to 16 hours a day, and seven days a week of your physical time and energy. However, if you find it’s in your blood then you will never be tired, bored or disheartened – many of us in the industry call it a lifestyle choice.
What is your most indulgent habit?
Chocolate, my youngest son and I are crazy over trying different types.
What do you have on your desk at work?
Lots of books on leadership and business and industry magazines from around the world, surrounded by cards and pictures my children have made for me.
What can’t you live without?
My children and my super supportive wife and Thai food – even when I travel after a few days I need that Thai cuisine taste on my palate.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
I was sitting with my other board members a year or so back and they said: “hey why don’t you slow down?” and I replied: “because there are still so many more opportunities around the world”. They said “well, that’s great, however, we don’t think the opportunities are going to disappear but crucial time with your family can – don’t make some of the same mistakes we have in made in our generation – find the balance”. From that moment on we expanded the team so that I could essentially travel less – and when I am travelling I add on an extra day to take a step back and rediscover the city I am in from a different perspective than just how can Thai cuisine work here. I had my wife join me on a few trips and we were able to climb the Great Wall of China together and did a Europe tour, which was always a dream of hers. Once my youngest turns five we plan to come to Dubai for camping and the Atlantis water park.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be and why?
Probably at the core of it would be a successful motivational speaker like Tony Robbins or someone similar. There is no better feeling than helping people to unlock their potential and their dreams, I personally have had the opportunity to do that and am living my dream now with what I do. I am thankful every day for the chance to live a great life that presents new opportunities. It’s what I try to instil all our staff to think and aspire to. So if I could be doing it on a grand level with thousands of people at one time, then I am helping to make the world a better place.
arayer@thenational.ae
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