Man On The Street – Mark Jackson
Age: 41 Occupation: Director of Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen.
I have a smoothie for breakfast. Kale, nuts, and protein, frozen berries and banana. And leave a little glass of it in the fridge for my daughter.
What is your morning routine?
Sneak out of bed. Because my daughter and wife are still asleep. We still bed share. And get up, make the smoothie, have a shower. Hopefully get out before she wakes up. Then I’ll play with her for a little bit, maybe I’ll make a coffee and then be on my way into work.
What is your dream car?
Dream car – Ferrari of any description, basically. And I would suggest it really needs to be red.
What is the top spot on your bucket list?
Have to go back to Tahiti for my wife and my 10 year wedding anniversary. So that’s sort of top of the bucket list. And take – hopefully the 2.5 kids that we have by then, on the way to Disneyland – that’s the plan.
What advice would you give your 20 year old self?
To travel overseas sooner. So I did it when I was 27, 28 and then lived in London for almost 10 years. So I would’ve done that sooner. If I had anything to say to my 20 year old self, that would be it.
How do you stay motivated?
I guess the rather large mortgage on the house and the business is enough, to be honest with you. Also the fact that I have a beautiful wife and daughter at home, it kinda spurs you on.
If you didn’t need money, what would you do?
I’d probably still work. Maybe some charity work perhaps? If I didn’t need any money, I might even work for the hospice that looked after my dad before he passed away. They do a great job, and I think to give something back is really important as far as I’m concerned.
What is your secret to success?
Hard work. Ever since I was younger, I’ve always worked as hard as anyone else in the business. I feel as though I can’t ask anyone in my business to do something if I’m not willing to do it myself. Whether that means collecting glasses, pour pints, clean up sick on a Friday night, throw out the drunk guy – doesn’t really matter what it is. I have to lead by example.
What is your best 1 liner?
1 liner – oh, I’m married I don’t have 1 liners.
What are your favourite restaurants to frequent? Favourite restaurants?
I don’t really get out that much. To be honest with you, I’m part of a group. So we get 50% discount at all of those venues. So we usually go to those. But yeah, every now and then something special with my wife is always nice. Potentially maybe The Grill, or The Grove, or somewhere like that’s always really nice.
What is your secret to living a long and more satisfying life?
I guess by looking after myself. Trying to remove as many of the stresses in my life as I can. And doing silly things like agreeing to do the Auckland Half Marathon, like I did last week. That’ll be some interesting training in the next couple of months, that’s for sure.