Much more than Mas Mas!

This week as I struggle with the system of sorting out work here in Spain I met someone who inspired me. Living here you look out and learn from others who are ahead of you in setting up businesses or new careers Phil Kersley-Baker is one of these people. Phil moved to Barcelona as part of his University Erasmus scheme and fell in love with the city. Living in Barcelona changed Phil and he knew he couldn’t return to the UK and follow a traditional office based career. So leaving behind his Maths degree and old life he returned to the city to teach English with a British council initiative which then brought him to Castelldefels. For a while, like many people he turned his hand to everything to earn a living such as bar, nightclub work and teaching English. As he worked here he decided that he wanted to stay. He also noticed that the young people he worked with had seemingly nowhere to go and little to do. He had the idea to start up a cafe space specifically for young people and those who are young-at-heart.  A chance connection with a Dutch marketing expert, Jeroen Boschma, who worked in youth schemes led to a partnership and “Másmás ++ “ was born.  The name “Másmás” came from young people feeling disenfranchised and instead of labelling them ninis (implying less hope for employment and future) “Másmás” comes from young people’s sentiment of wanting so much more out of life! Másmás is a cafe space designed to give the young a place to go but it has evolved into so much more. It has become a social scheme, an initiative, not only giving young people a space to go but opportunities to evolve and develop. Alongside great coffees, milkshakes, frappes and food, Phil and the young people currently have created a space to share local projects and skills. The bar has set up “Másmás labs” where creative young people share their skills and experiences to motivate others: they run seminars and courses and talent shows. Recent events include 3D printing, digital music and creative cooking (in the form of masterchef). Phil also has encouraged young designers to paint and exhibit artwork. 

It hasn’t always been plain sailing and Phil says the secret to development here is learning to adapt. The issues around running small businesses are more than challenging and as many will know there is almost a bureaucratic disincentive towards small enterprise; employment regulations and tax systems are tough; some incentives that go far in other countries are blocked by regulations. Creating change and innovation is slow and frustrating. Phil tells of a time when the bar did not bring in enough to cover the staff wages and he felt pretty hopeless.  However Phil has a great philosophy: he says sometimes you need to move the focus solely from the financial and he recognises an enterprise is more than a huge money making initiative. He recognises it is not only what you create but also what you give. Másmás is more! They believe in their venture, they adapt, they grow, evolve and their process of “Glocalisation” is paying off (developing to suit the LOCAL environment). They believe passionately in giving something to their client group – the young and anyone young minded who would like to come in and enjoy something new. They believe in being part of the community and seeing what the cafe brings to the patrons is a reward in itself. It is in turn now well supported and growing. Phil rightly takes huge pride in that. It is also great to know that Másmás is entering a new phase. Later this year Másmás plans to open in Barcelona with a fantastic new bar and four hub coffee points! So good luck to Másmás! May it bring more! It certainly has given me inspiration; “Giving” rather than only “making” are great philosophies to have while running a business wherever we are in the world.