What I learnt from starting a bar at 17 (before I could legally drink)

At 17, I dove headfirst into entrepreneurship and launched Fast Eddies—a bar—before I was even old enough to legally drink. My turbulent upbringing, bouncing between cities and family, left me fiercely independent and unafraid of risk. Partnering with Grant, a former radio host, we turned a run-down pool hall into a buzzing, eclectic spot that attracted everyone—even actors from The Hobbit. Running Fast Eddies with zero experience was a wild ride, but it taught me invaluable lessons in creativity, building community, and figuring out where my strengths really lie.

It was this experience that shaped how I approach challenges today—jump in, figure it out, and make it work.

If you know me, you know I’m not big on talking about myself or my background, but this is one experience worth sharing. By 17, before I was even legally allowed to drink, I found myself owning and running a bar.

To understand how I got there, you have to rewind a few years. My childhood was all over the place—constant moves, a fractured family dynamic, and a rebellious streak that led me down a rough road. I bounced between parents, grandparents, and boarding schools across Auckland, Brisbane, Taupo, Gisborne, Ruatoria, and Wellington, always feeling disconnected and struggling to find a sense of belonging.

What felt like chaos at the time actually set the stage for my entrepreneurial mindset. Moving so much made me fiercely independent and less concerned with playing by the usual rules. Growing up with limited resources gave me a pretty carefree attitude toward material things and money, which made taking financial risks a little easier. That instability? It opened me up to all kinds of possibilities and made me willing to jump into opportunities others might hesitate to grab.

Where it started

Even though I was good at school, I dropped out at 15 and moved out of home. I started off working in a café, then landed a decently paid job at a government call centre. By 17, I was battling connection issues, anxiety, and depression, but my independence was stronger than ever.

I was living in this big, rundown New York loft-style apartment in Wellington’s city centre when an opportunity came along that changed everything. On the first floor of my building was an old, neglected pool hall. While painting murals in the foyer, I met Grant, who’d recently been made redundant from his gig as a radio host. He had this smooth-talking, energetic vibe—he used to host a segment on The Breeze. Grant was full of big, almost whimsical ideas, and he had a fan club of older ladies who’d drop by with meals, cartons of cigarettes, and lotto tickets.

Our conversations were eye-opening and sparked my early interest in business and strategy—long before I even knew what those terms meant. Eventually, I threw out the idea of partnering up, and to my surprise, Grant said yes.

Building Fast Eddies

Grant and I jumped headfirst into a venture that was both ambitious and a little daunting. We signed a six-year lease on the rundown space—about $60,000 a year—with barely any understanding of what that meant financially or how much work it would take. That’s how Fast Eddies was born.

With this hefty lease hanging over us and not much funding, we had to get creative. We spent months waiting on a liquor license, so in the meantime, we sold Coca-Cola and rented out pool table time to school kids. Our early attempts to bring in customers—handing out flyers, organising events, and even paying backpackers in beers to run around as ‘walking signs’—were honestly more funny than effective.

But those constraints pushed us to get even more creative, and eventually, our efforts paid off. We transformed the rundown pool hall into a vibrant, grungy bar, with murals from some of Wellington’s best local artists. Fast Eddies started to thrive, pulling in a diverse crowd—from corporate types to punks, and even actors from Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit. Aidan Turner (Kili) became a regular, but having Martin Freeman (Bilbo) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf) walk into our dive bar? That was pretty surreal.

The Bad & The Good

Running Fast Eddies definitely came with its challenges. Financial struggles were a constant, and there were times we struggled to make rent. Managing a late-night crowd had its risks too, from breaking up fights to dealing with personal threats. We weren’t great with managing finances or stock—money came in and went out with little oversight, and the frequent ‘lock-ins’ after hours led to some wild and memorable nights, but probably didn’t help our bottom line. If I could go back, I’d spend more time learning the business basics and managing our cash flow better.

Despite all the challenges, the community we built at Fast Eddies was something special. It became this vibrant melting pot where people from all walks of life—corporates, punks, artists—came together. Seeing those connections form and knowing we’d created a space where everyone felt welcome was incredibly rewarding. It taught me the value of fostering an inclusive environment where people can connect and feel a sense of belonging. That sense of community was, by far, our biggest achievement.

Moving On

I loved my time at Fast Eddies, but after a few years, the relentless night shifts and constant party scene started to wear me down. Being naturally introverted, I realized that working front-line in hospitality wasn’t the best fit for me long-term.

Feeling ready for a new chapter, I sold my shares, bought a house, and went to university. Fast Eddies kept going for a few more years before it eventually closed down, but the bar’s cult status still lives on. I still run into people who fondly remember their time there and the unique, vibrant atmosphere we built together.

Lessons Learned

Say Yes to Crazy Ideas

Embracing unconventional opportunities can lead to incredible experiences. Fast Eddies taught me to take bold risks and enjoy the journey, no matter how wild it might seem.

Commitment and Constraints Fuel Creativity

Committing to a lengthy, expensive lease on a rundown space with limited funding pushed us to be inventive and resourceful. That creative mindset is something I still apply in every aspect of my life.

Build Community

One of our proudest achievements at Fast Eddies was the vibrant, eclectic community we created. Grant’s talent for connecting with people and making them feel at home played a huge role in fostering that atmosphere. It’s a skill I’ve come to deeply appreciate and one I see in Jessica, my co-founder at Yondar.

What I Wish I Knew

Business Fundamentals

I lacked the basic business knowledge I needed, and our reactive approach often led to challenges that could have been avoided with better planning and understanding.

Aligning Work with Personal Strengths

As an introvert, front-line hospitality wasn’t the best fit for me. Over time, I’ve gained a clearer understanding of my strengths and interests, and now I focus on roles where I can truly lean into what I do best.

Advice for Others

If you’re thinking about jumping into something big—whether it’s starting a business or making a major career shift—go for it! Embrace the challenge and stay open to unconventional opportunities. From my experience with Fast Eddies, diving into the unknown can lead to some pretty incredible paths.

But don’t go it alone. There are so many resources available now—books, online courses, mentors—that can help you navigate the inevitable bumps along the way. Use them. They’ll give you the insights and guidance to make your journey smoother.

And most importantly, be honest with yourself about what you’re good at and what you enjoy. If something doesn’t quite fit, don’t hesitate to pivot. Let your strengths and interests guide you, and remember, it’s okay to change direction. The key is to stay flexible and keep learning from both your wins and your challenges.