I'm what I do.

I moved to Manchester from the Czech Republic when I was 19 years old, hoping that such an enormous change to my everyday life could only build up my confidence. I had no connections at all with Manchester and I’d never visited the UK before. For the first time in my life I found myself abroad without family support, and, despite all the difficulties I had to overcome, I’m very proud of myself for taking on the challenge I set myself.

A few months after I arrived in the UK I started an English and Maths Functional skills Level 1 course at The Manchester College. My attendance and commitment were exemplary throughout the teaching year and this enabled me to sit my FS exams before the Easter break where I achieved the highest marks within the cohort.

During the time I was studying I was working in several restaurants in and around Manchester when I discovered my passion for photography. I started creating short videos for social media accounts and also pictures for restaurants that I'd been working for.

Several months later I became the Freelance Social Media Marketing Manager for two restaurants in the city centre and I really believe that this was the true starting point of my chosen career. It was necessary for me to create and post a content for the companies in which I worked but at this time it became clear to me that I wanted to do more than just digital marketing. Having never had direct contact with the customers themselves, I decided to push myself and study how I could creatively promote not just the social media aspect of business but also engage with the whole package of achieving commercial success.

Fortunately, after spending a significant amount of time reading and researching a variety of different businesses, I was offered a position working as BDM for the two restaurants I had worked with previously.

*''The only way to move mountains is one block at time.''

On a personal note, entering my chosen profession as a relatively young man was quite challenging but I don't think that one’s age should be a barrier to achievement. As the BDM in Sakana Pan Asian and Ocean Tr23sure, I discovered another passion for networking and creating new opportunities for myself and those around me.

Networking, bringing in business and talking with the clients is something that I really enjoy. This year our biggest challenge is the rebranding of our company to create one unique brand across two individual restaurants.

Despite my enthusiasm, I remain somewhat reserved and self-critical of my achievements to date I recognise that I have a good deal more to learn. I feel very fortunate to have found a profession that will continue to inspire me to wake up every day and make something good happen; and what's more, if somebody will give me a chance to work for him without the peace of paper (diploma)..... I’m sure that one day I will be more than capable of broadening my horizons to work in different sectors of commerce beyond those of the hospitality industry.

*'' The thing I'm most grateful for isn't anything I have now, it's the opportunity I was given by being born where I was born, by the upbringing I had, as it's those things that gave me the opportunity to be where I am today.''

Written by: Petr Kaiser – BDM, Rockstar Leisure LTD

*My biggest inspiration for the past 3 years - Steven Bartlett.