Matteo Bianchi is the director of interior design at Matteo Bianchi Studio in London, which he launched in 2006. Born in Italy, the 39-year-old worked in advertising and marketing in Italy and the UK before launching his own company. He visits the UAE three times a year, teaching courses on interior design.
Describe your financial journey so far.
I had a quite simple life early on, which I think helped me in later life. I didn’t really care too much about money, and I still don’t as long as I’ve got money for the basic needs of my family. The big leap in my career came in 2006, when I took a big loan, went and did a course at the Chelsea College of Arts and Design in London, and started my own business. Luckily even before I finished my course I got my first two big commissions, a house in Chelsea and a boutique hotel in Venice, and it developed from there. Money has never really been the focus, the main thing is I love what I’m doing. I’ve had lots of friends who work in finance and other high-paying industries that probably work half the time I do, but I don’t really care because I love what I do.
Are you a spender or saver?
I’m a big spender, that’s my problem. If I’ve got £100, I’ll spend £110. I invest a lot of money in my business; on the personal side, I just like to spend money. I’m the kind of guy who thinks there’s no point in putting away £100 a month, [when] you might as well go and have a nice meal in a restaurant with the people that you love.
What is your philosophy towards money?
Money can make you happy, but it’ll never buy happiness. There’s nothing better than doing what you love. Money comes when you’re happy, and not vice versa.
Have you made any financial mistakes along the way?
For my course that I teach at Chelsea College of Art and Design I always say “you can’t be an entrepreneur without making mistakes along the way”. There have been many instances when I’ve lost money, but in time it builds knowledge, so I never see losing money as a true loss. There have been a few times where I’ve made some bad contractor choices and I’ve ended up losing money. In my personal life, I’ve been really lucky though.
If you won Dh1 million, what would you do with it?
Buy properties. I’d buy an old property, refurbish it and then either sell it or rent it, that’s what I’m getting good at. It’d probably in the UK or London, although I may need more than Dh1m, the way prices are going in the UK.
What has been your best investment?
We just completed a deal to purchase a property for our own office and studio in a trendy south London area called Peckham. There’s been nothing wrong with sharing space with others but I’ve always wanted to have a studio that would reflect our personality as a company and be my own landlord. So I invested all the money I have at the moment and bought a 140 square metre commercial property, and I think it’s going to be the best move I ever made. On the personal side, when I was studying, me and my flatmates pooled our savings and bought a place in Dalston, another up- and-coming area in London, and we managed to sell it for a nice profit.
What do you enjoy spending money on?
On quality time with my family and friends. I also like buying furniture, spending on good lighting and travelling. I’m not really a car person, coming from Venice, although perhaps I wouldn’t mind buying a boat one day.
jeverington@thenational.ae
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