In the spotlight: Small World Catering Amsterdam

This post features Sean & Clarence, the owners of Small World Catering in Amsterdam. Located in Binnen Oranjestraat 14 Amsterdam, Small World Catering is one of our favourite places to eat whenever we crave homemade-style food! The taste and quality of their food are mind-blowingly good, and their portion is also satisfying.

 

Sean & Clarence are heartfelt and open individuals who always make everybody feel seen and taken care of. No wonder their customers love them! Interestingly, Sean and I were initially connected while walking our dogs at a park and have become friends ever since. I feel tremendously lucky to be associated with them because I admire how they live their lives. Therefore I am delighted and honoured to have them as our partners, to get to know them more from this interview, and share them with you!

 

Sean & Clarence

 

These questions were answered in a lightning Q&A session, in which the interviewee answered what quickly crossed their mind with a concise explanation.

 

Hi Sean and Clarence, please briefly tell us about your background.

Since Sean was a kid, he has worked in kitchens, cafes and restaurants worldwide.

 

Clarence used to work at a bank and happily gave it up to work in the Small World Cafe.

 

Why did you decide to pursue Small World Catering?

Sean started Small World Catering in 1998. Late nights in fine dining and drunk people made him want a day job. At that time, he couldn't find anything like Small World Catering, a place offering homemade-style food of the highest quality, no preservatives and made with care and pride. Well, you know, the rest is history.

 

Small World Catering Amsterdam

 

You will spend most of your time running your business, so make sure that it is something you really want to do.

What is the hardest part of the journey so far?

Owning a business means dealing with the tax department and the whole administration. These take so much time and effort.

 

Also, sometimes a really bad staff member could take a toll on us.

 

How about the best part?

The great people we meet, being creative with food, interior and social media.

 

 

Our personalities get punched into places we didn't know they could go... It's a huge ever-learning curve.

We know that Small World is a thriving business! But do you have any crazy, fun, nearly impossible milestones you wish to achieve in the coming years?

A second store would be great! We just had a massive renovation that cost all our savings which was fun and scary.

 

What advice would you give to someone just starting their own business?

RUN! Nah, realise that it's a lifestyle choice and you will be there a lot... You will spend most of your time running your business, so make sure that it is something you really want to do.

 

 

What are some of your greatest learning experiences in running a business?

Our personalities get punched into places we didn't know they could go. Things like: Asking dishwashers if they use deodorant because they smell. Catching staff in lies and having to confront them. Sometimes difficult customers. It's a huge ever-learning curve.

 

Closing thought

Thank you so much for your time, Sean & Clarence! My favourite is the "greatest learning" answer, how your personalities get punched into places you didn't know they could. Although it seems trivial, it takes work to confront people you work with; especially if you employ them and expect a certain quality standard, yet at the same time, you care about not hurting their feelings.

 

As a closing, I want to share a quote that reminds me of Sean & Clarence. It's from one of my favourite authors, Helen Keller: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart".